Mexican Politicians Excommunicate Themselves
The Church has always taught that when one obtains, assists or aides someone in an abortion, they have removed themselves voluntarily from the Communion of the Church by that grave act.
"2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society."
On traveling to Brazil today, Pope Benedict was asked if he was going to excommunicate the Catholic politicians who voted for abortion in Mexico City.
ROME, MAY 9, 2007 (Zenit.org)- The Vatican clarified that Benedict XVI has not excommunicated Mexican politicians who supported the legalization of abortion in the country's capital -- rather, they have excluded themselves from Communion.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this today in a statement he issued in wake of comments made by the Pope aboard his flight from Rome to São Paulo.
Reporters asked Benedict XVI if the Church had excommunicated the politicians of Mexico City who had voted to legalize abortion in the first trimester.
The Holy Father said that the excommunication for those promoting abortion is "nothing new, it's normal, it wasn't arbitrary. It is what is foreseen by the Church's doctrine."
The Pontiff also underlined that Christian politicians need to be consistent with their beliefs, and confirmed that the Church announces the Gospel of Life.
"The death of an innocent, of a newly born baby is inconceivable," the Pope added. "It is not something arbitrary and the Church expresses value for life and for the individual character of life from the moment of conception."
Father Lombardi, who was with Benedict XVI on the plane, clarified that neither the Pope nor the Mexican bishops had declared those politicians excommunicated.
The press office director explained that the Church teaches that the promotion of abortion is not compatible with the reception of Communion.
The journalists then asked the spokesman: "So, are they excommunicated"?
"No," Father Lombardi responded. "They excluded themselves from Communion."
As Catholics we believe we receive Christ body, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Therefore, we are admonished to not receive the Lord in an unworthy manner as Paul states to the Corinthians. To perform, or sanction or receive an abortion puts you in a state of mortal sin and you thus sentence yourself to not receiving the Eucharist = Excommunication. This is actually a compassionate act since the Church knows the mortal danger of receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. Only then through the Pope or bishop/priest commissioned by him can you be restored. "I give you power to bind sins" John 21
"2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society."
On traveling to Brazil today, Pope Benedict was asked if he was going to excommunicate the Catholic politicians who voted for abortion in Mexico City.
ROME, MAY 9, 2007 (Zenit.org)- The Vatican clarified that Benedict XVI has not excommunicated Mexican politicians who supported the legalization of abortion in the country's capital -- rather, they have excluded themselves from Communion.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said this today in a statement he issued in wake of comments made by the Pope aboard his flight from Rome to São Paulo.
Reporters asked Benedict XVI if the Church had excommunicated the politicians of Mexico City who had voted to legalize abortion in the first trimester.
The Holy Father said that the excommunication for those promoting abortion is "nothing new, it's normal, it wasn't arbitrary. It is what is foreseen by the Church's doctrine."
The Pontiff also underlined that Christian politicians need to be consistent with their beliefs, and confirmed that the Church announces the Gospel of Life.
"The death of an innocent, of a newly born baby is inconceivable," the Pope added. "It is not something arbitrary and the Church expresses value for life and for the individual character of life from the moment of conception."
Father Lombardi, who was with Benedict XVI on the plane, clarified that neither the Pope nor the Mexican bishops had declared those politicians excommunicated.
The press office director explained that the Church teaches that the promotion of abortion is not compatible with the reception of Communion.
The journalists then asked the spokesman: "So, are they excommunicated"?
"No," Father Lombardi responded. "They excluded themselves from Communion."
As Catholics we believe we receive Christ body, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Therefore, we are admonished to not receive the Lord in an unworthy manner as Paul states to the Corinthians. To perform, or sanction or receive an abortion puts you in a state of mortal sin and you thus sentence yourself to not receiving the Eucharist = Excommunication. This is actually a compassionate act since the Church knows the mortal danger of receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. Only then through the Pope or bishop/priest commissioned by him can you be restored. "I give you power to bind sins" John 21
posted by Russ Rentler, M.D. | 10:27 PM
3 Comments:
Long live B16.
Why do so many bishops fail to enunciate Catholic teaching? Out of fear of resentment?
If I never nagged my kids for fear of their tantrums or pouting, I would be considered much of a father, would I?
Does Fr. Lombardi not understand what excommunication means and how it occurs?
They did it to themselves, indeed.
"Excluding yourself from communion" means, uh.... ex communication.
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