[editor-surveyor]

"The relationship between the Church and Chavez isn't exactly what I'd call a happy one."

But don't you wonder why it isn't much more clear-cut and defined?

Is the RCC simply too big to deal with Chavez because he isn't the only one in need of rebuke?

[Campion]

But don't you wonder why it isn't much more clear-cut and defined?

Not sure what you mean by that. The hierarchy doesn't like him. I see no evidence that he practices his [supposed] faith, in fact, it's not entirely clear to me that he even still self-identifies as a "Catholic".

So what you have in Chavez -- as far as I've been able to determine -- is a non-practicing "Catholic" at odds with his bishop.

No point in excommunicating him (assuming he's not already done so himself latae sententiae): he doesn't "communicate" in the first place, and would just try to make himself a martyr.