AmericanPapist Comments
Look for this headline:
Famous Canon Lawyer: "It's OK for a Catholic to Be Pro-Abortion."
Of course, that's NOT what the famous canon lawyer actually said, but that's how it could be distorted by the mainstream media.
What if the ALL said "You can't be pro-abortion and be a faithful Catholic?"
Would that be OK?
I suppose it depends on exactly how pro-abortion the particular Catholic gets...
No matter what else has been said, I assure you that after a certain point one cannot be Catholic and pro-abortion (Canon 1323 exceptions, of course, withstanding).
Canon 1398: Get an abortion and you're out.
Canon 751/1364: You might ask your dad if publicly proclaiming an objectively evil act "good" (i.e., publicly defying solemn magisterial pronouncements by saying "abortion is not sooo evil" or "sometimes the ends justify the means" (Rom 3:8)) is tantamount to heresy or schism. If so, as I believe it is, do this and you're out.
Canon 1329 (Sec. 2): Help someone get an abortion and you're out. Formally cooperate, and you're out. If you and your dad have the time, I'd be interested in a breakdown as to how this would apply to mediate/immediate material cooperation (say, for example, voting in support of "abortion rights").
God Bless,
RyanL
...er...that was supposed to read "Rom 3:8". Silly emoticons.
RyanL is not unreasonable, but he is wrong. I have another post ready to go (waiting on some minor points) that will, as it happens, talk about exactly what he raised. It's like, I read his mind....Best, edp.
The answer is to simply alter the tag line:
"You CAN'T be pro-abortion and be a Catholic who is not a heartless ignoramus."
Canonically, speaking this is okay.
I think that passes the canonical test. :)
The very nature of slogans is to obscure the issues, at least in part. Even the term "pro-life" - which I'm proud to proclaim myself to be - is a slogan but it doesn't mean unqualified defence of life in all cases. First, it applies to human life. Secondly, it applies to innocent human life and the protecting that from direct, deliberate attack. But there may be legitimate grounds to take another's life, such as in self defence either by an individual or a society.
We use the term "pro-life" but it is more of a slogan than a succinct but rigorous philosophical principle.
AE: careful. yes, slogans are meant to sumamrize thought, so not every nuance can be included (at least directly) therein. but a slogan must never be erroneaous or false in itself. if it does, it becomes subject to rejection (often in way that forfeits the truth is still contained.)
While canon law is very specific and restrictive on what crimes automatically incur the penalty of excommunication, there are many other instances where non-excommunicated Catholics are still BANNED from Holy Communion, e.g., couples in an invalid marriage. Likewise, those who reject official, magisterial teachings, are also not to present themselves for Holy Communion since they are not IN COMMUNION with the Church. To be Catholic is to believe what Catholicism teaches and to obey what the legitimate commands of legitimate authorities impose. Excommunication is a rare penalty which not only incurs a ban from Holy Communion but also from Catholic burial. Equally serious are those alleged Catholics who publicly proclaim to be 'pro-choice' or who support/promote women's ordination, same-sex marriages, artificial contraception, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, et al.
BEING Catholic involves the intellect and will. My intellect must accept the revealed truths taught by the Catholic Church and my will must accept the authority (moral and liturgical) of the pope and bishops in communion with him. Anything less is not Catholic. Hence, a Catholic voter or politician who supports abortion is defying and denying their Catholic religion.
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