Uruguayan bishops: No Holy Communion for pro-abortion legislators

November 11, 2008

Following a November 5 parliamentary vote in favor of the legalization of abortion, the bishops of Uruguay declared Friday that those who promote or vote in favor of such legislation are impeded from receiving Holy Communion until they change their position. The bishops cited Canons 1341 and 1398 in making their decision.

According to Canon 1341, ‘An ordinary is to take care to initiate a judicial or administrative process to impose or declare penalties only after he has ascertained that fraternal correction or rebuke or other means of pastoral solicitude cannot sufficiently repair the scandal, restore justice, reform the offender.’ Canon 1398 states, ‘A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication.’

The bishops also expressed concern about the problem of declining birth rates. ‘Uruguayans need to multiply the signs of favor for human life in the midst of emigration and the demographic winter that compromises our future,’ they said at the conclusion of their brief statement. The well-being of our people requires sons and daughters to bring joy to homes, to fill the classrooms and playgrounds. We are in favor of the integral development of human life, which as Catholic bishops we see from the perspective of Jesus Christ, who came to the world to bring worthy and abundant life.’

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• A la opinion publica y a nuestras comunidades (Uruguayan Episcopal Conference)
• Uruguay Prelates: No Eucharist for Abortion Backers (Zenit)
• Uruguay's parliament moves toward legal abortion (CWN, 11/6)