Evil triumphs when good men do nothing - Edmund Burke

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Article 2272 of the Cathecism of the Catholic Church

2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

The Article above is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It says formal co-operation. Maybe I am interpreting this incorrectly but to me this not only means doctors, nurses, politicians, it also means any Catholic who knowing that a politician is pro-abotion knowingly and willingly votes for such a politician. By voting in such a manner the Catholic is formally co-perating in the perpetuation of abortion.

I would like if some one in authority from the Catholic Church could please explain this article to me. The way I understand it is that any Catholic who willfully supports legalized abortion gets an automatic excommunication.

7 comments:

Lola said...

I never thought of this applying to those who voted for canidates who were pro-choice/pro-abortion. But, your logic seems to flow in that direction, and it seems solid.

Smiley said...

Lola Just to inform you I am putting you down for the draw of the Our Lady of Lourdes Medal which is to be held on the 31st October 2008.

Logic aside I do not see how else this article could be interpreted. Words like 'commission of the offense' apply both to mother and doctor and nusres. but Formal Cooperation then definitely applies to all forms of cooperation.

Helen said...

Dear Smiley,
I see your point. It scares me, how many Catholics vote for pro-choice candidates because they think other things are more important. I don't see what could be more important than protecting human lives. The unborn are being dismissed in our society by many people who should know better. John the Baptist leapt in St. Elizabeth's womb when he heard Mary's voice. He was a fetus at the time, yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Is it possible that a person could call himself Catholic and believe the Third Person in the Blessed Holy Trinity inspires nonhumans? Sometimes trying to understand other people's thoughts is scary stuff. Sorry for the tangent. God bless you!
Helen

Helen said...

P.S. Curt Jester had this linked to his blog a few days ago. It was written tongue in cheek, but the point comes across. http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2008/10/revelation-obama-may-have-been-fetus.html

The gist of it is that it is a satire on how the DNC is reeling from reports that Senator Obama may have once been a fetus. The Senator states that there is no proof whatsoever...

Anyway, I thought it demonstrated the lack of follow through logic by the proabortionists very well.

Joe of St. Thérèse said...

http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2008/10/bishop-finns-latest-column.html

there is a copy of the original Letter by Bp. Finn

gramps said...

Frankly Smiley, I think you have to start with the bishops that voted for the useless language of faithful citizenship knowing they were giving catholics without a well formed conscience wiggle room. I find it interesting that the bishops take page after page to write something that has no meaning or substance when they could have simply did what you did in this post. Of course then they might have to actually excommunicate someone like Pelosi or Biden or Kerry. But I have a feeling our Lord has a special place for the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons who are silent as we live through this genocide. I guess the bishops will try to explain that they might lose their tax excempt status. I think that what might begin to change some of this is when a Pope brings forth excommunication on a bishop who is out preaching against the teachings of the church especially on this critical issue which could impact the souls of the flock.

Smiley said...

Hi Gramps
I sadly doubt that we will ever have excommunications again as we did in old times.
Anyway for what an idea bishop should be please refer to my post on the 4th November which is on St Charles Borromeo