What about the millions of Catholics who support abortion?
The Church has always professed this fact and Catholics who espouse abortion as an option are not observing a central tenet of our faith - and for politicians - or anyone - who profess to be Catholics yet promote abortion are in a state grave sin and cause scandal to the Catholic faith.
Excommunication is a last resort, yet Ms Pelosi has had more than enough chances to denounce abortion and return to her faith.
And no, "Catholics" who back abortion are not actually Catholics.
The Catholic Church isn’t a Rotary Club. This has nothing to do with “rights.” The church has an OBLIGATION to proclaim the Gospel, and to publicly repudiate those in positions of authority who publicly undermine it.
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)
While the Church expects members of the faith to self-regulate and know when to deny themselves the sacraments the Church can step in and refuse to allow members communion if nothing else has worked.
Right! Who does God think He Is, telling people not to kill their babies? God?
You wrote: I don’t think the church has any right to deny anyone communion. It is not their place to judge.
The Church has the right to deny people communion because the Church is what could be called the administrative body of communion.
So, a town in the US does not have the right to make rules about federal taxes, but the federal government does have that right.
The Church acts _in persona Christi_ in certain areas of life; in a similar way, an ambassador is the representative or agent of his own nation vis a vis another nation.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1st Corithians 11:27
Your comment seems to indicate that you reject all moral authority. As a Christian, and a Catholic, I reject your rejection.
As Our Lord told us (Mk 8:36) “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?”
That is the basis for Abp. Cordeleone’s instruction for a member of his flock.
Actually, yes it is. The Church rightfully recognizes that Pelosi's own soul is in danger, and she is endangering others as well.
It is perfectly within the rights of the Catholic Church to deny her communion. It is perfectly within the right of ANY Christian Church to withhold communion from Pelosi as well.
It is the duty of the Catholic and every Protestant Church to do everything in their power to steer one of their flock that's gone astray, back to the right path. That's exactly what's happening here.
When a member of the church refuses to change their ways, the church also has the right to refuse all rites to that member and remove them from the church as well.
What's happening here is exactly correct. And I say that as a former Catholic who happens to be well versed.
If she was a private person or did not take a public stance in favor of abortion, then it would be between her and God. This isn’t judgement against her per say, but the purpose is two-fold.
First is to instruct her for the sake of her soul. That would be a strictly private discussion with her if not for her high profile.
The second is for the education of the faithful because she takes a very public position in opposition to the Church. The laxity with which bishops have handled these very publicly “Catholic” and pro-choice people has damaged the proper consciences of many among the laity who think abortion isn’t that big of a deal. If these politicians were all handled this way more Catholics would understand that faithfulness and pro-choice are an either/or not a both/and.
The church has stated on numerous occasions that people supporting it are not in a state of grace to receive communion. It’s on their soul if they continue. With Pelosi being so vocal about it, he may have had no choice in calling her specifically out but it applies to all Catholics, not just her.