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To: agere_contra

No one enforces that.

The priests aren’t refusing anything to the abortion advocates.


18 posted on 09/03/2009 1:41:08 PM PDT by TheFourthMagi
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To: TheFourthMagi

You’re right, they face NO earthly consequences for their promotion of abortion.

And as such, there is no negative incentive or example for others in the church about what is right and wrong on this issue.


19 posted on 09/03/2009 1:45:26 PM PDT by MrB (Go Galt now, save Bowman for later)
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To: TheFourthMagi
Two things. First: advocating abortion is indeed different from actually procuring an abortion. Taking Teddy as an example: how many abortions has he formally procured by his advocacy? Zero? A million?

Secondly: even if Teddy procured an abortion/abortions and self-excommunicated: he could still be received back into Communion with the Church. A Priest could not reveal the secrets of Teddy's Confession(s) without self-excommunicating.

In neither case (self-excommunication, return to the Church) would Teddy receive a large tattoo on his face denoting his change in status.

Self-excommunication is a fact, but the Church's response to it (refusal of sacraments) cannot be based on telepathy. I guess this is why it's only those who very publically self-excommunicate and who must be immediately restrained from simulating sacraments who get publically pointed out - e.g. dissident Bishops.

In most cases I imagine it would take a public excommunication (ferendae sententiae) for a Priest to be able to refuse the sacraments.

Now I think public excommunication is in order for Catholic abortion advocates - but I admit I may not be seeing the whole picture. Preremptory excommunication is a dangerous weapon to use when you're fighting for someone's soul.

21 posted on 09/03/2009 2:12:49 PM PDT by agere_contra
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