Posted on 01/08/2004 1:07:41 PM PST by areafiftyone
To: National Desk
Contact: Erik Whittington of American Life League, 540-226-9004 or ewhittington@all.org
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Calling it "a historic step forward in dealing with the problem of pro-abortion Catholic political figures," American Life League president Judie Brown expressed her gratitude to Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wis., for "using the authority of his office to deal with a grave public scandal. By issuing a formal decree barring pro-abortion Catholic politicians from receiving Holy Communion, Bishop Burke is not only enforcing Church law but is courageously stepping forward in defense of innocent human beings." Bishop Burke will be installed later this month as the new archbishop of St. Louis. For the past year, American Life League has been pointing out that Catholic bishops have the authority under Canon Law to take the precise action Bishop Burke has taken. "We have diligently brought to the attention of America's bishops the pro-abortion public comments of Catholic elected officials in each of their dioceses, and the Church's remedy for this disparity," said Brown. "As Bishop Burke states in his notification, 'A Catholic legislator who supports procured abortion or euthanasia, after knowing the teaching of the Church, commits a manifestly grave sin which is a cause of most serious scandal for others.' This is why American Life League has published, and will continue to publish, the names of public officials who claim the Catholic faith yet ignore the Church's clear teachings on the sanctity of human life."
The Vatican (news - web sites) reinforced those teachings a year ago when it issued a "Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life." "Since our effort began last year," said Brown, "American Life League has identified more than 500 state and federal officeholders who claim to be Catholic while making public pronouncements on abortion that are contrary to Church teachings. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recently established a task force to take action on this serious problem. We will continue to encourage the task force - and all American bishops - to defend the truth and send a loud, clear message to all Catholic public officials: You cannot be pro-abortion and Catholic." ------
American Life League is the nation's largest pro-life educational organization with more than 375,000 supporting families.
http://www.usnewswire.com/
Wouldn't be the first time a pope has disagreed with scripture.
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