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Chipper
Guest
Not sure what you mean by full effect. To me, the thought of being ex-communicated is a wholly devastating circumstance. It doesn’t seem to me to get any worse just because the public knows about it.
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Confiteor
Guest
I think these are two different things. The reason a public correction is necessary is because of the public nature of the Speaker of the House’s unorthodox comments. Absent the public censure, some people would assume all is well with what she said.
As to excommunication, I’m not sure how directly one has to be involved to be considering “aiding in procuring.” This may mean in a more direct way than supporting abortion politically, such as financing one’s child’s abortion or arranging an abortion for one’s girlfriend. That’s not to say that her bishop couldn’t excommunicate her for her role in misleading the faithful, encouraging abortion rights, etc. I’m just not sure how broad “aiding in procuring an abortion” can be construed. And because she is a public figure, you would expect this to be revealed to the public or it would not correct the misimpression that people have.
P
piperspop
Guest
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2008
STATEMENT OF HIS EMINENCE, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008*
I can add nothing to this, except to say that apparently there is NO SUCH THING as a Pro-Choice Catholic.
STATEMENT OF HIS EMINENCE, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being “chooses” to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.
Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York
August 26, 2008*
I can add nothing to this, except to say that apparently there is NO SUCH THING as a Pro-Choice Catholic.
B
bilop
Guest
That’s my Bishop! He’s really on a roll recently.
Piperspop,
You are basically correct. One can not be pro-choice and a Catholic in good standing. To support abortion is inherently sinful.
Of course, the person does not cease being Catholic; like any other sinner they need to repent and confess.
God Bless
J
Joe_Kelley
Guest
I recall Linus once telling Charlie Brown that he liked to take his time with problems and study them from all angles.
Charlie asked if that was ensure that he had considered all the facts.
Linus answered, “No. I just want to give them a chance to go away.”
One thing I learned as a manager was that there are two types of problems. One type goes away if you leave it alone; he other gets worse. Most of our bishops have not shown good judgment in deciding which is which in critical cases, e.g. abuse, pro-abortion politicans.
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rpp
Guest
I especially liked his closing.
Now don’t pull your punches, you Eminence, tell us how you really feel.
E
estesbob
Guest
There are two issues here. One is the need for the Bishop privately counsel Nancy Pelosi. The other is for the Bishop to publicly assert church teaching and directly address the misinformation that Nancy Pelosi put out. It may very well that he wanted take care of the former before you tackle the latter
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dmelosi
Guest
sfarchdiocese.org/about-us/news/?i=1296
I sure would like to see the bishop in San Fransisco take a more direct approach than reprinting a statement made by others.
I sure would like to see the bishop in San Fransisco take a more direct approach than reprinting a statement made by others.
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KathleenElsie
Guest
They, as far as I know, have never stated Catholic doctrine wrongly. They tend to just say this is their personal belief and leave it at that. Not sure how the Bishops can correct this except with refusal of communion.
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estesbob
Guest
I hate to see communion used as the club over politicians heads HOWEVER so many Catholics see the pro-abortion politicians receive Communion and take this as a message that being a pro-abortion Catholic isis acceptable.
Though hindsight is 20/20 if the American Catholic bishops had addressed this at the time Roe V. Wade was issued we wouldn’t be having this problem today
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
Sadly true.
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estesbob
Guest
The problem is that if they act now it will look political.
You would be surprised how many Catholics actually think that being personally opposed to abortion but supporting a woman’s right to “choose” is in line with Catholic teaching.
I’m inclined to say the bishops should just go ahead and have a blanket denial of communion to pro-abortion Catholics who publicly proclaim this view and or vote for pro-abortion laws. It will cause a firestorm of protest and angry accusations of crossing the church state line but is has to be done at some point.
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KathleenElsie
Guest
I am praying that he is waiting till he can have a face to face with Mrs. Pelosi before making a more public statement.
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rlg94086
Guest
I hadn’t thought of that. You make a very good point.
Maybe after he counsels her privately, she will come out with an apology and correction.
What? 
It could happen! 
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buffalo
Guest
She cannot and will not. That would be like setting off a bomb in the Dem camp. That is all they can hide behind.I hadn’t thought of that. You make a very good point.
Maybe after he counsels her privately, she will come out with an apology and correction.
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rlg94086
Guest
Oops…had to add another smiley to my post. (this one:
)I agree, even if it is the right thing for her to do, it would be political suicide.
K
KathleenElsie
Guest
Yes, a blanket statement of what Holy Mother Church teaches and what the consequences of disobedience should be made clear and quickly.
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Nordar
Guest
You are so right! what amazes me is why would anyone want to say they are Catholic and do whatever they please? She very obviously does not understand nor have the reverence for The Body and Blood of Christ. Why not just become protestant, I don’t get it.
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KenEOTE
Guest
I don’t think the Protestant would want her either. She should just start a new religion called Pelosianism. Or just keep bowing to the altar of liberalism, they already have child sacrifice what else do they need?
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Nordar
Guest
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