And I'm supposed to be impressed by the journalists' selective hearing? Did YOU read the context from which this quote was excised and painted as though Abp. Burke were suddenly abandoning his position of June 2004?
If you actually took the time to read the pastoral letter, you would see that he maintains his original position.
...and none of them was excommunicated for abortion or the support of it.
And now, I find it troubling that by insinuating that Abp. Burke said that it's okay to vote for pro-aborts, you make it appear as though the disobedience of the lay board is justified. Why would you do that I wonder?
He said too much and did the required backpedaling in his "pastoral letter". I am not accusing him of being pro-abortion, only that he has his priorities confused. His position on material property grab is much tougher than his position on the pro-life teachings of the Church.
Under Burke it's too easy to get excommunicated for not letting him take your own property. I don't believe this type of "excommunication" to have any meaning. It's like a priest-confessor refusing the absolution to a penitent who refuses to go to bed with him.