Catholic Church and abortion

What are you saying? It's just another brick in the wall?

You can. That is why Jack Sprat’s wife’s nickname was Shacky Puddin’.




Edited by Rogillio 2018-02-08 3:30 PM

Don't get me started on that bunch.......

Edited by Left Brain 2018-02-08 10:50 PM

Like most organizations you have a range of members from the more ecumenical to the hard evangelicals. I wouldn't say this is a story to get worked up over...


The article looks like an opinion piece from a questionable news source. In my opinion, there will be no excommunications. Its one priest who is voicing his opinion as this is an issue close to his heart. Its a free country and he can do that. The article is merely using it and extrapolating on it for its base. To think that the Catholic Diocese would follow through on ex communicating a round of political leaders is absurd. There are Church Laws that lead to automatic excommunication for having an abortion, heresy, etc.....but not for making laws that take the hands of government off the decision for others. We are free human beings, and this rests with the individual.

Ex Communication is not something that is used on a whim to isolate faithful members. The Church prefers to use the teaching of Christ, and let the conscience of each individual lead their actions.

I'm Catholic, I converted a few years ago from the Anglican Communion. Going through the Catechism I had issues directly with some of the teachings. And I made it known. And the priest said "okay. its okay to have different voices." Their role is to be spiritual leaders, not rigid oppressors over how you express your faith.

A final note...excommunication...in its rare instances...is not necessarily permanent. It can be an agreed end between the Church and the parishoner if it ever comes to that point. (You don't just up and excommunicate someone...usually there is a history and a number of events that leads upto it. There are certain acts which the church considers sins that do lead to automatic excommunications...ordaining a Bishop without authorization, etc.) But its also something that is worked towards healing and repairing so that the person who is not in communion with the Catholic Faith will stop their evil actions and actually return to the Church.

The article above looks like in a politically bias "news" site. This story isnt news...its church politics more than anything....

Some easy reads to know more about excommunication:

http://catholicstraightanswers.com/what-is-excommunication/

http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2008/01/25/am-i-excommunicated/

ahhh... as a committed agnostic I will bow out of this thread.

But....but...but he is agnostic and by definition does not have an opinion? ;-)

OK, cheap shot. I went for the easy shot.

The issue in not about Christianity or even the Catholic church. The issues are, IMO, 1. Should the church hold their members accountable for how they vote on issues that oppose their church doctrine and 2. If you run as a "Catholic" and get Catholic votes because you are a Catholic shouldn't you got in keeping with Catholic doctrine?

I have read that the split on abortion today is roughly the same as it was 50 years ago when Roe v. Wade legalized abortion. I have also read that as medical science advances, support for abortion decreases.

At any rate, it appears the 'abortion debate' will be with us for a long time.

It bothers me that this is happening. We've had priests and speakers talk about this in the church. But it has always been "this is what we are doing, your welcome to particiapte as your time and conscience leads you." For a religious institution to jump into the frey of politics is a two edged sword. It can isolate parishioners on isolated issues....robbing them of a home to practise their faith..and create issues within and outside the church in the greater public.