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"The American bishops (and others bishops around the world) should have started the practice of refusing communion to vocal pro-choice politicians and activists YEARS ago."

Agreed. They didn't do it then because they feared Washington would play with its tax exempt status. This isn't speculation. A powerful New York congressional Dem all but threatened bishops with this outcome should they follow Catholic doctrine through to its logical conclusion.

They won't do it now because Kerry would just dismiss them as dubious umpires of spiritual propriety (to wit: the pedophila scandals). The last thing the bishops want is to again raise the profile on that issue.

That's not an argument for them to do nothing; If anything, a courageous, principled stance on abortion and "pro-choice Catholics" would help restore some moral stature to the RC hierarchy in the United States.

Unfortunately, on this issue, "courage" and "principle" are two words missing from most bishops' dictionaries.

As to the Vatican, it needs to maintain a low profile on this. Kerry has taken heat for overseas endorsements. For the Vatican to publicly express its displeasure with Kerry on this issue would be welcomed by the Democrat as a way to offset earlier criticism. He would be in the ironic position of denouncing foreign interference in U.S. elections.

"That's not an argument for them to do nothing; If anything, a courageous, principled stance on abortion and "pro-choice Catholics" would help restore some moral stature to the RC hierarchy in the United States. "

Right but it won't happen. I mean his bishop has said, "if you are pro-choice you should not have the nerve to come to communion." But did he say that from the pulpit? Did he say it when Kerry was in attendance? I doubt it. That would be another way to approach it. Make sure he's at mass that Sunday and do a whole sermon on how pro-choice Catholics commit a motal sin every single time they go to Communion. But his bishop will not have the courgage. I hope I am wrong but I doubt it.

"A powerful New York congressional Dem all but threatened bishops with this outcome should they follow Catholic doctrine through to its logical conclusion."

Oh no!! You cannot be serious. All the bishops had to do was publicly name the guy who was making the threats. I really don't think the American people would ever tolerate a Congressman threatening any religious organization with dire consequences if they rightly and according to stated docterine refuse communion to errant politicians. Besides that taking away tax exemption is a big complicated deal that they would not be able to bring off if the GOP has anything to say about it. What are the odds the Dem congressman could bring that off?