Posted on 09/03/2009 1:14:57 PM PDT by lizol
Secondly: even if Teddy procured an abortion/abortions and self-excommunicated: he could still be received back into Communion with the Church. A Priest could not reveal the secrets of Teddy's Confession(s) without self-excommunicating.
In neither case (self-excommunication, return to the Church) would Teddy receive a large tattoo on his face denoting his change in status.
Self-excommunication is a fact, but the Church's response to it (refusal of sacraments) cannot be based on telepathy. I guess this is why it's only those who very publically self-excommunicate and who must be immediately restrained from simulating sacraments who get publically pointed out - e.g. dissident Bishops.
In most cases I imagine it would take a public excommunication (ferendae sententiae) for a Priest to be able to refuse the sacraments.
Now I think public excommunication is in order for Catholic abortion advocates - but I admit I may not be seeing the whole picture. Preremptory excommunication is a dangerous weapon to use when you're fighting for someone's soul.
Infidelity.
Kennedy and those like him damned themselves. Publicly ex-communicating those of his ilk would save lives and keep many from going down the same path of killing innocents that Kennedy did.
Idle threats, although the Poles seem to be showing signs of a backbone here.
Good, they should do it here too.
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