Pelosi--Catholic?

Question

Nancy Pelosi is Catholic yet she supports abortion rights and other things strictly opposed by the Catholic Church.

Why isn't she ex-communicated from the church based on her actions?

This is a serious question so please provide some serious responses.
Thanks

The Catholic Church has ex-communicated politicians in the past for their views related to abortion only. This is not a church-state question as an organization can kick out members who don't support critical issues like abortion.

Answer 1

Politically supporting abortion is not a offense for which one can be excommunicated.

The Church law involved is Canon 915: Those who are excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement "Catholics in Political Life" says:

Therefore, like every Catholic generation before us, we must be guided by the words of St. Paul, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27).

And continues that it is up to each Bishop in their diocese and on a case by case basis to decide whether or not to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians because of their public support of abortion.

Here is the complete document: http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The act of excommunication is akin to benching an athlete for unsportmans-like conduct, or removing a disruptive student from a classroom. By virtue of their sheer removal from the group, and all their activities, they learn a less about the proper conduct of an athlete, a student, a Catholic.

When a Church excommunicates someone, they do so in anticipation of that person's return. However, what if there is reason to believe that person is not interested in returning to the Church? It may, in fact, have the opposite effect. By throwing one out, this person might feel they are released from the bonds of Catholic morality. They are then free to conduct sinful activity to their hearts content without fear of repercussion, or so they think.

Point is, I seriously doubt whether Nancy Pelosi would care if she was thrown out. She may very well not want to come back. It would be better for her, even in her sinfulness, to be kept in the Church, and exposed to God's Word and moral code. This may, in the long run, be what will eventually enlighten her to God's Truth.

Remember, just because the Church can excommunicate, doesn't mean they have to; doesn't mean they should.

Answer 3

I am a Catholic from Pelosi's district. I am pro-life but don't feel I need that view supported in law (separation of church and state) or enforced on others. I believe there are better ways to solve the issue-FREE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL CHILDREN. SUPPORT SINGLE MOTHERS!!! etc.

The Catholic church doesn't excommunicate people for their political views. The only excommunications I know of involved clergy rejecting Vatican II.

Answer 4

Pelosi is just one of a minority of Catholics who support abortion, and their support varies over a wide spectrum. New Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, a Catholic and a Democrat, has supported partial birth abortion, the most horrible method. She claimed to have changed her position shortly before the elections, and was elected by a slim margin.

Unfortunately, some who claim to be Catholics put their party affiliation before their faith. I think their faith is pretty weak. McCaskill is said to be a "moderate". I'm not ready to believe that and expect that she will be remembered as a poor senator. She didn't amount to much even as state auditor.

Answer 5

The "action" she might be excommunicated for would be to get an abortion.

Supporting a woman's legal right to choose doesn't conflict with the beliefs of her church.

Unless you believe speech is action; that's a whole other debate.

Answer 6

Hmm...didn't know that Pelosi is Catholic. That makes things interesting.

I don't think excommunication is appropriate here, but she should be asked by her bishop to refrain from receiving Communion. Catholics aren't supposed to partake if they're conscious of having committed a mortal sin without first receiving Reconciliation.

This has happened before....bishops have indeed publicly asked pro-choice Catholic politicians not to receive communion.

Answer 7

The reason is that if they excommunicated every person that disagrees with them, they would have no members.

The catholic church's primary job is not anti-abortion. It is faith. Even a murder is welcome in the church.

Please do not belittle the church by asking them to get rid of a member for any reason. If that is your intention then you don't understand the true catholic faith.

Answer 8

I think you should continue your serious work to vilify her and every other leader in the next House and Senate. It's all for the good of the nation and the American people. If it can't be an all Republican Congress, then it should accomplish nothing, right?

Answer 9

the Catholic church in San Fransisco has to be very careful
voters in that area could shut them down
they are lucky to still be in business .
she makes large donations

Answer 10

She has no religion, she is a Demon-rat! That is why she can lie about impeachment hearings!