Because Canon Law does not explicitly state that politicians who actively vote to increase availability/legality/funding of abortion are automatically excommunicated. This gives these bishops wiggle room, and the so-called "Catholic politicians a loophole whereby they can technically still claim to be practicing Catholics.
Why give him the option of voluntarily abstaining from Holy Communion?
Good question. Bishops do have the authority to impose an Interdict.
An interdict is a censure, or prohibition, excluding the faithful from participation in certain holy things. These holy things are all those pertaining to Christian worship, and are divided into three classes:
*the Divine offices, in other words the Liturgy, and in general all acts performed by clerics as such, and having reference to worship
*the sacraments, excepting private administrations of those that are of necessity;
*ecclesiastical burial, including all funeral services.
We at the Catholic Family Association of America are working on getting a private audience with the Pope to present
1)the excommunication petition, to Excommunicate Culture of Death "Catholics" and
If you have not yet signed the excommunication petition, its not too late!
And please keep our efforts in your prayers, especially that our private audience with the Pope is secured and schedulued soon, to coincide with recent Vatican directives mentioned in the article above.
--Dr. Brian Kopp (Polycarp),
Vice President,
Catholic Family Association of America
Here is our request:
A Canonical Petition to Interdict or Excommunicate Culture of Death "Catholics"
TO:
Pope John Paul II,
Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church
Special Note: Part I of the petition requests changes in Canon 1398 to afford more protection for innocent life. Part II is a request for the 'medicinal' interdiction from the sacraments, pending repentance of grave public sin, and calls for excommunication of only those who stubbornly persist in supporting the Culture of Death. You incur no civil or financial liability in signing this petition.
FROM:
PETITIONERS
Mr. Stephen G. Brady, President, Roman Catholic Faithful
Dr. Craig Bozzacco, D.D.S., President, Dentists for Life
Mr. Michael Cain, Editor, The Daily Catholic
Mr. Vinny Ciappetta, President, National Cops for Life
Mr. Christopher A. Ferrara,
President, American Catholic Lawyers Association
Dr. Brian J. Kopp, Columnist,
Vice President, Catholic Family Association of America
Dr. Claude E. Newbury, President, Pro-Life South Africa; Founding Member, Intrnl. Right to Life
Regional Representative for Human Life Int.
Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, PhD, Editor, SAPIENTIA> Magazine; Co-host EWTN's Web of Faith,
President, Confraternity of Catholic Clergy
Mrs. Judie Brown, President, American Life League, Inc.
Mr. Richard L. Bucci, President, Catholic Radio, NY
Mr. Timothy A. Chichester,
President, Catholic Family Association of America, Inc.
Mr. William Cotter, President, Operation Rescue-Boston
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, Author, "Breast Cancer: It's Link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill"
Mr. Phillip F. Lawler, Editor, Catholic World News
Charles P. Prezzia MD, MPH,
President, Catholic Medical Association
Mr. Joseph Scheidler, Director, Pro-Life Action League
Donna Steichen, Author of "Ungodly Rage"
Monica M. Miller, Ph.D., Author
(Remainder to be filled upon closing of the signatory phase)
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs request the following relief:
A. That Pope John Paul II, Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church take jurisdiction of this petition.
B. That Canon 1398 be changed to read: "A person who deliberately enables an abortion or euthanization incurs a latae sententiae excommunication. An elected or appointed official who votes for legislation enabling abortion or euthanasia or who publicly propagandizes for or promotes abortion or euthanasia incurs a latae sententiae excommunication."
C. That he issue to the bishops specific directives concerning the implementation and enforcement of interdiction and excommunication for public promoters of abortion, euthanasia and other forms of direct attack upon life.
D. That he publicly order Defendants to:
1. Refrain from any act or statement which enables, supports or condones abortion, euthanasia and other
forms of direct attack upon life.
2. Publicly repent and retract their errors and promise no further acts and/or statements
which enable, support or condone abortion, euthanasia and other forms of direct attack upon life.
3. Refrain from reception of the sacrament of Eucharist until the above orders have been followed.
E. That he publicly declare that Defendants' acts and/or statements as alleged are:
1. Contrary to and inimical to the faith of the Catholic Church ;
2. A scandal to the Mystical Body of Christ, the faithful of the Catholic Church ; and
3. A sacrilege to the Real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ when Defendants receive
the sacrament of the Eucharist.
F. In the event that any Defendant fails to follow any of the above orders to publicly
excommunicate him or her from the Catholic Church .
Dated at (to be implemented upon closing of the signatory phase)