Pelosi calls Bishops "lobbyists"

[shepherd_girl]

So just who is supposed to be a lobbyist and who is not? There are tons of groups out there pushing their own agenda so I guess the bishops don’t have a say? And if you don’t agree w/the bishops on the basis they are pushing their own religion, then how bout seeing abortion as a civil rights matter?
And what about Obama Care forcing everyone to buy health insurance? To me it’s unconstitutional.
As for Pelosi and good ol’ VP Biden, they would rather obey man than obey God. If you are truly a devout Catholic, supporting any kind of abortion legislation is anathema.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I am not at all familiar with canon law and therefore was ignorant to its application in the case of pro-abortion politicians. I appreciate your explanation of the law. This makes it clear to me that our bishops are not required to excommunicate these politicians.

Canon Law is, like all legal systems, complicated to a certain degree. Pro-abortion politicians do not suffer any automatic penalties because there are none in the law that address that situation.
Now, they could possibly face some kind of canonical trial where a tribunal could impose penalties but that is a complicated process and has not really been used based on votes cast in government.

 

[LisaA]

In response to ‘New England Pries’,

I am not at all familiar with canon law and therefore was ignorant to its application in the case of pro-abortion politicians. I appreciate your explanation of the law. This makes it clear to me that our bishops are not required to excommunicate these politicians.

In response to those of you who advocate withholding communion from these politicians:
I think that when a Nancy Pelosi presents herself in a Catholic Mass to receive Communion, she is rudely imposing on our Church. This is obnoxious of her. I think that a gentle but effective response would be for the priest or deacon to be sure to preach on the subject of the sacredness of life whenever she is known to be attending a Mass. And fellow attendees are free to confront her personally on this topic. I would love to read a news story that goes, “Pelosi Swamped by Pro-Life Catholics As She Leaves Mass”!! Wouldn’t that be great?

Love that idea. Imagine the heads swinging toward her as the priest speaks of the sacredness of life from conception until natural death.

Shame is a good thing. Too bad there isn’t more of it. Were anyone to make a point of speaking about Mrs Pelosi’s false statements regarding our wonderful Church, at some point maybe she will hear that still small voice. We can always pray her heart of stone will be softened and she (a mother and grandmother!) will understand how her position takes the life of precious, innocent children.

Lisa A