How do the Catholic politicians justify having a pro-choice position?

Question

I speak of Joe Biden, Ted Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy (OK, she's not in politics, but she was the VP-vetter for Obama), Mario Cuomo, Nancy Pelosi, etc. The Catholic religion is more than pro-life, they don't even permit birth control! And yet these politicians are part of a party that is strongly pro-abortion. How can this be?

Answer 1

Someone can be a misguided Catholic and “pro-choice.”

This is especially harmful when they are people of influence like politicians, who because of their influence may unduly direct others toward "the culture of death" instead of the "consistent ethic of life."

Politically supporting abortion is not yet a offense for which one can be excommunicated although a change in this rule is being discussed.

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/catholicsin...

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

By saying their personal beliefs and politics are seperate. This is nonsense though. They're looking for votes and selling their souls. It seperates them from the Roman Catholic Church whether they know it or not. Ignorance is no excuse just like the law.

Answer 3

A better question: How do you pro lifers justify sending soldiers to Iraq to die? How do you justify allowing Iraqi children and *gasp* pregnant Iraqi women to be killed as the result of our occupation?

If all babies were born g*y would you be against abortion?

The same way they justify using birth cntrol (the American Catholic church used to think that sinful too) and writing with the left hand (my dad's hand was tied behind his back so he wouldn't write with the Devil's hand in Catholic school).

I don't see many Catholic's with 1000 kids anymore. I guess we're all big sinners!

Answer 4

Simply put, they are not Catholic.  They just use the label.  They are ipso facto heretics if they are pro choice and cannot receive holy communion so long as they remain heretics, or they commit a mortal sin.  They must renounce the position of pro choice to be true Catholics and to be able to benefit from the sacraments.

Answer 5

They are obviously not Catholic but rather were only raised Catholic.  As adults they have turned their backs on God in favor of power and greed.

If Obama and Biden lead our nation, babies will become the greatest victims since Hitler.

Answer 6

They are CINO, Catholic in Name Only.  I pray that they will start studying the Church's teaching in earnest and realize the error of their ways.  They won't stand up for the least among us, even though this is what Jesus wants us to do.  

Answer 7

They can't justify it.  The simplest and most profound way to see this is that they can't receive Holy Communion (even though, in open defiance of the Church, they do).  

God bless.

Answer 8

As Think 1st said!

Also, Catholicism is rich is skepticism...just check out the Jesuits.

Answer 9

Hypocrisy.  Or lack of faith.

Answer 10

Here is the bottom line, YOU CAN NOT BE CATHOLIC AND PRO-ABORTION or hide behind the BS statement PRO-CHOICE.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that promoting, aiding in, or actually having an abortion is grounds for immediate EXCOMMUNICATION.  

So all you Catholics out there who intend to vote for obama.....join another church

Answer 11

the people you mentioned have an ungodly lust for power. They think that gives them the right to do as they wish.

Answer 12

Because they believe as Thomas Jefferson did.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state."

Thomas Jefferson

Jan.1.1802.

Answer 13

Common sense, politics and religion don't mix. It is futile to try.