Bishop challenges Davis on abortion

WND ^ | January 23, 2003 | Unknown

[madprof98]

Lopez said that Weigand's comments could alienate members of the Catholic Church who support abortion rights. "There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" asked Lopez. "Who's going to be left in church?"

Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Sad to say, though, I'll bet a good many of our bishops--and many more of our priests--think that is a great reason to avoid mentioning the views of our Church on the most important moral issue of the day.

[chimera]

While I tend to lean on the side of excommunication, we need to be careful about this. I was listening to a very conservative, very orthodox priest who is hesitant on the issue of excommunication because it would make these public officials martyrs for their political view, and diminish the real issue, which is abortion.

While what you fear could happen, it is equally dangerous for the Church not to take a stand on this issue. The Holy Father has clearly stated the official position of the Church regarding abortion. Faithful Catholics are morally bound to accept it. If the Church as a whole allows even the appearence of equivocating, of letting persons off the hook because of their positions of political power, it would undercut the Church's moral authority to speak to the issue at all. Political influence must not trump the teaching authority of the Holy See, and the faithful should be rightly concerned if exceptions are made on behalf of those who seek the approval of men in place of seeking the kingdom of God.

[anoldafvet]

I absolutely agree.

On Sunday our church had a ceremony to remember the millions of innocents who died from abortion. They had 30 people or groups of people each holding a lighted candle. Each time the bell rang, one candle was blown out. By the time the thirtieth candle was blown out, better than 3/4 of the church was crying. It was VERY powerful.

God Bless.

[Gophack]

I'm starting a pro-life committee at our parish, with God's help, because we don't do much for the unborn, yet we have a rich and large parish. This last Sunday the priest (the younger, more orthodox priest) mentioned protecting life "from womb to tomb" but that was it. One mention. We have one collection a year for the Sacramento Life Center, but that's mandated by the Bishop (Bishop Weigand, yeah!).

We have had visiting priests who have been more straightforward in talking about Life issues, but our parish priest, God bless him, is overwhelmed with the duties of a large parish and, unfortunately, I think doesn't want to make waves with some of our richer, and less orthodox, parishoners.

I'm hoping that the pro-life committee can work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow Catholics through love and charity and solid education.

[Longshanks]

The RCC will have to impose this on those people, and not wait for their voluntary compliance.

Communion is a very public event for both the recipient and the priest. Next Sunday there will be reporters and photographers accompanying the governor to Mass. If he lines up for and is given the Real Presence after the bishop's injunction, all Hell will break loose.

Does anybody know what church Davis attends? Pro-life activists should be on hand with Rosaries to pray for his conversion and with signs take advantage of the media coverage.

[Longshanks]

these politicians need to be told time and again, like Bishop Weigand forcefully did yesterday, that being against the Church they should not be receiving Holy Communion

People in the pews should remind pro-abortion politicians not to go up for communion.

Our souls aren't at stake at the sins of our fellow Catholics

If we have the opportunity to warn politicians but fail to do so, our own souls MAY be at stake. The American Catholic community draws down judgment on itself by permitting its members to promote and particicate in abortion.

[Servant of the Nine]

That being said, legitimate authority does not end for one in the Apostolic Sucession due to his sin. To claim it does, opposes Jesus

I never claimed they lacked legitimate authority.

I said they lack the moral authority with which to bring people back into compliance with church law.
Moral Authority comes from others respect for the way you live. It cannot be granted or withdrawn by the Church.

So9

[Mr. Thorne]

"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" he asked. "Who's going to be left in church?"

I suggest, dear governor, that you stray from your normal haunts and crack open the Bible you doubtless own (for photo ops, if nothing else).

Look up a chap named Gideon.

If push comes to shove, the Church would prefer quality to quantity. If there are no true Catholics left in California, so be it. Form your own heretic sect, with child sacrifice as your sacrament, and be about your business. At least then you'll have the comfort of honesty.

[Gophack]

I agree that we need to speak out against abortion, help women find alternatives, and lovingly and respectfully point out when people are making grave errors. With regard to Governor Davis, I believe this has been well done. But, ultimately, it is still up to the individual to decide if he wants to commit another sin in receiving communion when in a state of grave or mortal sin. We can't strap him to the pew or kick him out of church, but maybe love and prayer and good preaching which change his heart.

And, I have no doubt Monsgr. Kavanaugh as well as the Bishop would refuse to give Davis communion if he went up to them.

[Notwithstanding]

Yes, its of paramount importance to point out this gutsy bishop's flaws and the scandals in the church. Its so important to thwart good acts.

[B Knotts]

All I can say is:

Wow.

It's about time.

[B Knotts]

Gee, do you think Cardinal Mahoney will do likewise?

:-(

[Constantine XIII]

BUMP!

[Gophack]

Gee, do you think Cardinal Mahoney will do likewise?

I know you're being sarcastic, and that's a shame. The major Cardinal on the West is so ... contrary to the faith. I really hate to criticize those placed in charge, because I know the Holy Spirit will never allow the gates of Hell to prevail ... there must be a reason our weak human minds can not understand, that men like Cardinal Mahoney are promoted to positions of power, and worse, that they are leading the flock astray.

What I don't understand is how he can do it without remorse. Isn't it worse for someone to intentionally lead someone to sin than to be the one misled, especially if you didn't know you were sinning? While some couples might know that contraception is wrong, they believe that it's OK because their priest tells them it's OK. Yes, they are sinning, but isn't the sin of the priest giving them the go-ahead -- their spiritual leader -- isn't that worse?

We need to pray for Cardinal Mahoney and all the shepherd's of God's flock that they may see the error of their ways; but more, I think we need to pray for our patience and understanding that the ways of God are not our ways, and we might not understand why or what He's doing in our time.

[Catholicguy]

<> What you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven....what you loose on Earth shal be loosed in Heaven..Whose sins you forgive shall be forgiven...whose sins you retain shall be retained...

Do those words of Jesus count?<>

[victim soul]

I attending the pro-life Mass with Bishop Weigand. He was right on. And he was faithful not only to the church, but to the sheep. He asked that we all pray, right then, for the soul of Governor Davis and that he have a change of heart.

God is forgiving, He will welcome anyone back into the fold, prodigal son or lost sheep.

God is merciful. Pray for his conversion but meanwhile we practicing Catholics must remind faithless Catholics (especially our public, self declared Catholic politicians) that they are a public scandal and we will expose them as well for the prodigals they are. We have the duty to stop the evil they promote and defend.

[Servant of the Nine]

Do those words of Jesus count?

Yes, they do, but you are missing my point.

No one who has already drifted far enough from the church to be pro choice, or pro gay, is going to be persuaded of anything by any member of the clergy until after the church has cleaned it's own house.

Only after the church is cleansed is there any possibility that lapsed or semi lapsed catholics can be brought back into the fold.

A shepherd ignored by the sheep is a failed shepherd, even if he still has the crook.

So9

[Servant of the Nine]

Yes, its of paramount importance to point out this gutsy bishop's flaws and the scandals in the church. Its so important to thwart good acts.

You sound exactly like liberals talking about Bill Clinton or Scott Ritter.

So9

[Rum Tum Tugger]

It's about time. Bishops like Weigand are one of the main reasons I became a Catholic.

[anniegetyourgun]

I know, I know. Such abbreviated commentary out of me is for the unchurched on FR. (They don't know the Word of God, hate it when you quote it to them, but because they are created in His image - they find it hard to deny it's truth when it appears on the screen in simple terms.)