Cardinal Francis George & FOCA: The Question of Automatic Excommunication Would Need to Be Discussed
Catholics Who Vote for Freedom of Choice Act Could Face Automatic Excommunication by Matt Hadro of CNSNews
(CNSNews.com) - Catholic members of Congress who vote for the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) could face “automatic excommunication” if the act is determined to be “formal cooperation” in the evil of abortion.
When asked last week whether a Catholic politician voting for the FOCA – which would impose nationwide abortion on demand and government funding of abortion – would incur automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago said the question would need to be discussed once the actual language of the bill was known.
George is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).. . . “The excommunication is automatic if that act is in fact formal cooperation, and that is precisely what would have to be discussed once you would see the terms of the act itself,” responded George.
“Could you expand on that, Cardinal,” a reporter asked.
“The categories in moral theology about cooperating in evil, which make you complicit in the evil even though you don’t do it yourself, are material cooperation, which is usually remote and therefore doesn’t involve you in the moral action except in a very auxiliary and minor way, and formal cooperation, which would involve you even though you are not doing it, in the way that makes you culpable,” said George.
Ecce Sacerdos Priest of the Day
Subscribe to the Priests in Crisis Feed
Emergency Help for Priests
I know next to nothing about canon law, but the way I perceive it, there is no logical reason for further talk, explanation, investigation, or reasons regarding the right or wrong of a Catholic politician voting for the abomnibal law of FOCA.
First the clergy plays with words in regard to the sinfulness of a catholic politician who supports abortion receiving the Sacred Body of Christ in communion. There is no agreement among the Bishops on this. Even given the fact great scandal is given, even given the fact the Holy Eucharist is not protected from sacrilage, because some Bishops decide they don’t want to lead, but would rather excuse. Now we have clergy casting doubts on whether, or not, a catholic politician would commit sin by voting for FOCA. Again we have words, words, explanations of why it may be this or that. Obfuscation, excuses, anything but leadership. Anything except following the dictates of the Church, anything but following the lead of the Vatican.
Quite frankly, I am tired of mealy mouthed Bishops. Let’s hold to the truth for a change and not try to wiggle around it.
Since I am basically ignorant with regard to Catholic Theology, I probably will be out of line for saying this, but what else has to be studied about canon law as to ascertianing whether support of FOCA by Catholic Politicians is right or wrong. What else has to be investigated in each case of each politician to tell whether it would be a sin for each “individual” politician to vote for passage of FOCA?
I think the bishops are waiting to see how the FOCA legislation is worded exactly. I will be interested in their response after that!