Bishop Aquila on Pro-Abort Pols

This is what Bishop Samuel Aquila had to say about unrepentant pro-abortion Catholic politicians.

From LSN:

US Bishop on unrepentant pro-abort pols: ‘Treat them as a tax collector or Gentile. Expel him.’
BY CHRISTINE DHANAGOM
Thu Aug 11, 2011 15:15 ESTComments (2)


FARGO, North Dakota, August 11, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Church should seek the conversion of pro-abortion politicians, but if they remain obstinate they should be expelled from the Church, says Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo.

The Bishop proposed in an interview with Catholic World Report this week that Bishops should take their cue from the Gospel of Matthew in handling pro-abortion politicians.

“Our Lord tells us to speak to the person, and then take two or three others with us if he does not change,” he said. “If he still does not change, the Church can speak to him, which is done through the bishop. [The bishop] exercises the authority of Christ. Christ then says that if that person is still obstinate and will not change, treat them as a tax collector or Gentile. Expel him.’”

The Bishop continued: “Catholics are called to defend human life, particularly that of the unborn. The Church’s teaching is clear. If we don’t challenge public officials who reject this teaching, we leave them in their sins and confuse the faithful.”

A huge CIVB kudos to Bishop Aquila! 

Aquila, who has been the spiritual head of the diocese of Fargo in North Dakota for ten years, is well known for his support for the pro-life cause.

It's About Time

November 27, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With the Patrick Kennedy Communion flap and the recent action of the Bishops of Spainhaving opened up the issue of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians, it is worthwhile to review the position of the Vatican on the matter.

Since the controversy came to a head in 2004, the stance from the Vatican on the matter has been clear and consistent.  For the Pope and top Curial Cardinals in charge of the matter there is no question about the responsibility to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians who obstinately support abortion. In fact, the issue was closed as early as 2004 with a letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.

Full article can be found here.

I must say, it's high time we all started getting serious about this.  Why should the Body and Blood of our precious Lord be given to those who so obstinately deny the right to life for the unborn?  Catholics who support abortion are unworthy to receive the Eucharist, plain and simple.