Pope Gently Rebukes Pelosi

There is considerable discussion about Church excommunications these days. Many conservatives and orthodox Catholics advocate the excommunication of Catholic legislators who are "personally opposed, but" are willing to permit the slaughter of innocent babies. Frequently, excommunication is portrayed in the secular media as a harsh, un-Christian shunning, causing permanent division, hurt and alienation. It is, in fact, something quite different and in most cases it is a condition that one imposes on oneself.

Among many theological considerations, the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls the Eucharist "the source and summit of the Christian life." Among many attributes, "the Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being." Thus, reception of Holy Communion is an affirmation that one is fully united with all that the Church believes and teaches. And unity of belief is essential to the Church's very being. If one does not fully believe those teachings, their reception of Holy Communion is a sham and a lie. This is the reason the Church does not permit inter-communion with other faiths.

When the Church excommunicates a member, it does so to impress upon the individual that their salvation is in jeopardy. The act of excommunication is not meant to be a permanent action. It is an act of charity intended as a sharp warning that one has veered seriously off the path that leads to salvation. It is always hoped that the one excommunicated will recognize their error and return. The path to return is as simple as a sincere, heartfelt confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is always available from any priest.

As a good and loving shepherd, Pope Benedict XVI gently informed Speaker Nancy Pelosi today that her pontifications on Sunday news shows, suggesting that the Church has been ambivalent on questions of life and death, are just plain wrong. She has been clearly told by the highest authority in the Church of which she claims to be an "ardent" member, that she has a responsibility to protect human life at all stages of its development.

Having been clearly warned by the Vicar of Christ, if she persists in her support of the culture of death, she will be excommunicated by her own action, if not officially by the Church itself.

Saint Thomas More, patron saint of statesmen, politicians and lawyers wrote:

“Because the soul has such deep roots in personal and social life and its values run so contrary to modern concerns, caring for the soul may well turn out to be a radical act, a challenge to accepted norms.”

Mrs. Pelosi has the opportunity to be truly radical, counter-cultural, and to save her own soul in the process. The choice is hers.

The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today:

"Following the general audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.

"His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in co-operation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development".

Catholic Leaders Correct Pope Pelosi

It is becoming embarrassing to witness the stupidity of the Speaker of the House.

She advocates for natural gas as opposed to fossil fuels not knowing that natural gas is a fossil fuel that is usually found when and where drilling for oil takes place. It would, however, seem that her concern for the natural environment was a bit undercut when she insisted that the military equivalent of a 757 be on call to fly her, her family and friends back and forth between Washington and San Francisco whenever she pleases.

Now, she has has gone well beyond all the "personally opposed but" Catholic legislators in explaining previously "secret and unknown" (to all but her) teachings of the Catholic Church about when human life begins.

Sorry Nancy, you may be able to fly free, courtesy of the US taxpayers, but infallibility just isn't one of your gifts. The following corrections to the Pelosi Pontifications have been issued:

STATEMENT OF HIS EMINENCE, EDWARD CARDINAL EGAN

CONCERNING REMARKS MADE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokow of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.

We are blessed in the 21^st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being "chooses" to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.

Edward Cardinal Egan

Archbishop of New York

August 26, 2008

August 25, 2008

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House of Representatives

H-232, The Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

On the Sunday, August 24^th, broadcast of NBC’s Meet the Press, you stated “as an ardent, practicing Catholic, [abortion] is an issue that I have studied for a long time.” As fellow Catholics and legislators, we wish you would have made a more honest effort to lay out the authentic position of the Church on this core moral issue before attempting to address it with authority.

Your subsequent remarks mangle Catholic Church doctrine regarding the inherent sanctity and dignity of human life; therefore, we are compelled to refute your error.

In the interview, Tom Brokaw reminded you that the Church professes the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being” (2274).

To this, you responded, “I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the Church, this is an issue of controversy.” Unfortunately, your statement demonstrates a lack of understanding of Catholic teaching and belief regarding abortion.

From the Apostles of the first century to Pope John Paul the Great “the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law” (Catechism 2271).

Thus, your erroneous claim about the history of the Church’s opposition to abortion is false and denigrates our common Faith. For example, during the reign of Pope Innocent XI in 1679, the Church unequivocally stated it is an error for Catholics to believe a fetus does not have a soul; and confirmed the teaching that abortion constitutes an unjustified taking of innocent human life.

To reduce the scandal and consternation caused amongst the faithful by your remarks, we necessarily write you to correct the public record and affirm the Church’s actual and historical teaching that defends the sanctity of human life. We hope that you will rectify your errant claims and apologize for misrepresenting the Church’s doctrine and misleading fellow Catholics.

Respectfully,

Hon. Thaddeus G. McCotter (MI)

Hon. Steve Chabot (OH)

Hon. Virginia Foxx (NC)

Hon. Phil Gingrey (GA)

Hon. Peter King (NY)

Hon. Steve King (IA)

Hon. Daniel Lungren (CA)

Hon. Devin Nunes (CA)

Hon. John Sullivan (OK)

Hon. Patrick Tiberi (OH)

Nancy Pelosi on the 110th Congress

“I don’t approve of Congress, because we haven’t done anything that — we haven’t been effective in ending the war in Iraq. And if you asked me in a phone call, as ardent a Democrat as I am, I would disapprove of Congress as well.”