American Life League is overwhelmed and grateful to God for Pope Benedict XVI's recent comments on pro-abortion politicians and Holy Communion.
During a conversation on the papal plane the Holy Father made it clear that Catholic politicians risk excommunication and should not receive communion if they support abortion.
When asked about the bishops in Mexico who announced that any Catholic politician who voted for the pro-abortion law would face excommunication, Pope Benedict affirmed that excommunication is allowed by Church law "which says that the killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving communion, which is receiving the body of Christ."
He told the reporters that "selfishness and fear are at the root of pro-abortion legislation. We in the Church have a great struggle to defend life … life is a gift not a threat."
For the past four years American Life League has sought action from American Catholic bishops that would result in a unanimous commitment to enforce Canon 915, thereby denying the body of Christ to any public figure who persists in support of any kind for the act of abortion. Thus far in our quest, fewer than 15 of the 200 American bishops have publicly proclaimed their dedication to enforcing that section of canon law.
Perhaps now that will change.
We praise God for Pope Benedict XVI and pray that each American bishop reads the Holy Father's words and makes the very same teaching clear to American Catholic pro-abortion public figures. Human lives and human souls are at stake. Let us pray for our bishops.
