Canonist: ecclesiastical discipline needed—quickly—for Nancy Pelosi
February 08, 2012
Canon lawyer Edward Peters argues that in light of Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s longstanding an outspoken support for legal abortion, and now her blatant attacks on the Catholic Church’s opposition to the forced insurance coverage of contraception and sterilization, the former Speaker should be subject to clear ecclesiastical discipline:
As a canon lawyer, my view is that Nancy Pelosi deserves to be deprived of holy Communion as the just consequence of her public actions; as her fellow Catholic, my view is that Nancy Pelosi deserves to be deprived of holy Communion to bring home to her and to the wider faith community the gravity of her conduct and the need to avoid such conduct altogether or, that failing, at least to repent of it. Quickly.
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Posted by: -
Feb. 09, 2012 3:10 PM ET USA
The primary issue here is that a massive number of Catholics in the United States are under the impression that all doctrine outside of official dogmatic declarations is optional and one is free to disagree with the Church on these matters. Their priests and teachers have spread this lie from the pulpit, in RCIA classes, in marriage prep, and in the confessional for four decades now. I see the only solution as Bishops following the formal process of excommunications to drive the point home.
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Feb. 08, 2012 7:37 PM ET USA
Either that, or apologize for every excommunication of public officials beginning with Henry II of England.
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Posted by: Justin8110 -
Feb. 08, 2012 7:22 PM ET USA
Truly it would be an act of charity of the highest order to publicy refuse her and other "Catholic" politicians Holy Communion. If these bishops really truly believe that our Lord is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the consecrated Host that we receive at Holy Communion then they ought to act accordingly. My question to them is this: Do you really want to give our Lord willingly to someone you are reasonably sure is deep in unrepentant mortal sin? That is on your conscience and soul...
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Posted by: unum -
Feb. 08, 2012 6:28 PM ET USA
Miz Pelosi's scandalous behavior continues unabated and the bishops were silent and took no action. A recent poll showed that over 50% of Americans believe the government should require employers to provide contraception to employees at no cost. But, an even higher percentage of Catholics agree with them, confirming that the silence of the hierarchy and clergy has produced a morally illiterate laity. And Jesus wept ...
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Posted by: -
Feb. 08, 2012 6:25 PM ET USA
The bishops concerned need to act on this advice, and fast. Failure to do so is not loving but is actually a dereliction of duty and faithful Catholics will be baffled and disturbed if action is not taken.
