Catholic Politicians and abortion

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From Fr. Z’s blog, commenting on Fr. Longenecker:

“Finally, a personal observation? The repeated, though for now misguided, calls for excommunication in these cases, and the repeated, but worth-considering, calls for withholding holy Communion in these cases share this: they spring almost completely from Catholic laity and are almost completely ignored by ecclesiastical leadership.”

wdtprs.com

14 'c'atholic Senators SUPPORT ABORTION past 20 weeks

Canonist Ed Peters has picked up on something Fr. Longenecker has done. I'll add my voice. From Peters' excelleny canon law blog In The Light Of The Law. About those Bloody 14 [allow me slightly to change the format, for effect] Cantwell (WA); Collins (ME); Durbin (IL); Gilibrand
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Abortion: Human Sacrifice to the God of Self.

The Devil loves the fumes.
 
Here is a link to Fr. Longenecker’s article, to which Fr. Z had reference:

dwightlongenecker.com

Let’s Name the Abortion Providing Politicians | Fr. Dwight Longenecker

I'm absolutely shocked this morning to learn that the bill to outlaw abortions past twenty weeks has been defeated in the US Senate. Even more shocking is the fact that fourteen senators who identify as Catholics voted against the bill--in effect giving the nod to late term abortions. Even...
dwightlongenecker.com dwightlongenecker.com
 
I can never understand Catholic politicians that give the “I am personally opposed to it but…” Speech. Really? Do they think God is watching saying "Yes, I know he is personally opposed, he is just giving his district/voters what they want, so that’s totally okay! " No. So how do they justify what they do?
 
I have more respect for the politicians who are honest than for those who give lip service to the anti-abortion crowd while winking at the universal loopholes.
 
Not even a peep from their bishops? Why? Yes, let’s not cause any waves! It’s just children’s lives at stake.
 
Irishmom2 said:
I can never understand Catholic politicians that give the “I am personally opposed to it but…” Speech. Really? Do they think God is watching saying "Yes, I know he is personally opposed, he is just giving his district/voters what they want, so that’s totally okay! " No. So how do they justify what they do?
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I would like to understand their rationale as well.

However, policing politicians is not a job for the clergy. The role of those who receive Holy Orders—bishops, priests and deacons—is to gather the people of God together for public worship and to sanctify them by preaching the word of God and administering the sacraments.

This is a job for the lay faithful. The role of the lay faithful—those who are neither clergy nor religious —is to witness to Christ in the secular sphere of life, such as in politics and government.

(See - The Layperson’s Distinctive Role – Francis Cardinal Arinze)

Seems like a good place to start is to have the courage to ask these politicians directly. As their constituents, we have every right to press a politician to give the reasons for his or her position on public policy.

So next time one of these Senators has a town hall meeting, get their Catholic constituents together and attend. During the Q&A, stand up and say, “I have two questions…”
  1. Do you acknowledges that abortion is the willful killing of a human being?
If “Yes” then say…
  1. Could you explain your rationale for why you believe you do not have the authority to prevent it?
Maybe the answer is that they believe they don’t have the authority to ban abortions. Maybe they see it as a balance between the rights of the woman vs. the rights of the child. Maybe they think there are better, non-coercive ways to limit the number of abortions (e.g., legal, safe & rare).

Whatever the response may be, keep the pressure up. Keep asking questions and drilling into the rationale behind it - but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16). Listen to their rationale and then go home and prepare a response to it that you will ask at the next Town Hall meeting. Then continue pressing the point by saying, “Last time, you said that… However, what about this…”

Organize a group. Learn how to write a press release. Invite the media. Write the story yourself for the local online news site. There are lots of ways to get the discussion going.

And don’t forget to pray too.
 
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Agreed this is so disgusting. Even Europe stops at 20 weeks. US Catholics/Democrats can’t even get that together.
 
TheLittleLady said:
I have more respect for the politicians who are honest than for those who give lip service to the anti-abortion crowd while winking at the universal loopholes.
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You respect people for voting to rip a baby apart in the womb?
 
I respect honesty. I do not respect dishonesty.

Twisting my words to say otherwise is rather unseemly.
 
No, I state that a certain party gives lip service to “Pro Life” while they embrace loopholes and incrementalism.
 
“Today is the day for their bishops to issue a formal statement acknowledging that these men and women have publicly denied their Catholic faith, and if not formally, then have informally excommunicated themselves,” Longenecker said,
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Luke6_37 said:
However, policing politicians is not a job for the clergy.
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Following canon law, however, is the job of the clergy, and there is no proper way to ignore the obligations of Canon 915, which requires ministers to deny communion to those who are “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin.”

One can only wonder how long abortion would continue to be legal if Catholics, who represent about 20% of the vote, actually condemned it, a position they are not likely to embrace as long as the bishops are so tepid in their response to the politicians who support it.
 
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