Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church considers abortion a grave moral disorder, a horrific wrong, and a serious evil. Canon 915 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that those who have been excommunicated...or obstinately persevere in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. As such, some Catholic bishops have refused or threatened to refuse communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. However, the Church's stance on abortion has been a source of controversy, with some bishops choosing not to deny communion to pro-abortion politicians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's view on abortion | Abortion is murder and a moral evil. |
| Catholic Church's view on communion for abortion supporters | Communion should be denied to Catholics who support abortion. |
| Catholic Church's view on excommunication for abortion supporters | Excommunication is threatened or declared for Catholics who support abortion. |
| Catholic politicians who support abortion rights | Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Rudy Giuliani, Nichi Vendola, Joe Cervantes, and more. |
| Catholic Church's view on politicians who support abortion | Politicians who support abortion should be refused communion and may be excommunicated. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic politicians who support abortion rights
Abortion is considered a grave sin in the Catholic Church, which views it as murder. The Catechism states that "every procured abortion is a moral evil". The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is a "terrible and horrific wrong that has no place in Catholicism". Canon 915 of the Catholic Code of Canon Law states that those who have been excommunicated or are "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion".
Despite this, there are Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. The first instance of a pro-abortion rights politician being censured via denial of communion was in 1989, when Leo Thomas Maher, then bishop of San Diego, barred California Senate candidate Lucy Killea from communion. Killea received communion in Sacramento with the consent of Bishop Francis Quinn. Killea is Catholic and her case was the first recorded instance of a pro-abortion rights Catholic politician being denied communion. Killea's case brought publicity to her candidacy and gained her the voters' sympathy, helping her to win the election.
In 1984, Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, then archbishop of New York, considered excommunicating New York Governor Mario Cuomo. He also condemned Cuomo's statements that support for abortion rights did not contradict Catholic teaching, but did not suggest that Cuomo should stop receiving communion. In 2003, Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento said Governor of California Gray Davis, a Catholic who supported abortion rights, should stop receiving communion. In 2004, several bishops publicly declared that they would deny communion to Senator John Kerry because of his willingness to support abortion rights. In 2005, Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh said no individual bishop should on his own deny communion to politicians because of "national ramifications". Bishops Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix and Charles J. Chaput of Denver stated they would act on their own initiative and apply sanctions, though only in "extraordinary cases of public scandal".
In 2008, Raymond Burke, former archbishop of St. Louis and assigned to the Vatican that year, said communion should not be given to politicians who support abortion rights, as it is a mortal sin that makes them unfit for communion. However, recent popes have presided over Masses at which pro-abortion rights politicians have been given communion. Pope John Paul II gave communion to Tony Blair, then an Anglican, and to Rome Mayor Francesco Rutelli. In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI gave communion to Catholic politicians Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, and Rudy Giuliani. Benedict also expressed support for the Mexican bishops' envisaged excommunication of politicians who had voted to legalize abortion in Mexico City.
There has been much controversy over the Catholic Church's treatment of Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. Some argue that the Church's stance on abortion is incompatible with being Catholic, while others contend that Catholics can disagree about many things and still remain faithful to the Church.
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Canon law and excommunication
The Catholic Church's position on abortion is that it is a
Canon 1397 §2 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church states: "A person who actually procures an abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication". This means that as soon as an abortion is carried out, the person who had the abortion, and anyone who helped them, is automatically excommunicated. Canon 1397 §2 replaced canon 1398, which previously stated: "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication". The change in legislation was made in December 2021, and also included a change in wording.
However, there are some circumstances in which excommunication does not apply. Canon 1323 states that those who are unaware of the law, are under 16, or are in error about the scope of the law, are not excommunicated. Canon 1324 states that automatic censures do not apply to those who act out of grave fear. Canon 1325 clarifies that those who are forced to have an abortion against their will, such as a woman forced by an abusive husband, are not excommunicated, whereas someone who is culpably under the influence of drugs or alcohol would be.
In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the equivalent legislation is canons 728 §2 and 1450 §2, and excommunication is not automatic. Instead, the local bishop decides whether or not to excommunicate those who have performed an abortion.
Excommunication is not intended as a punishment, but as a way of reintegrating the offender into the community. A declaration of repentance, followed by absolution from a priest, ends an excommunication. Since the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2016, any Catholic priest has been able to absolve someone from excommunication for abortion.
Canon 915 states that those who are excommunicated are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. However, Pope Francis has described Joe Biden, who supports abortion rights, as a "good Catholic", and said that he should continue to receive Communion.
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The Pope's stance
The Catholic Church has consistently taught that abortion is a grave evil and Pope Francis has, throughout his papacy, preached the same message. Pope Francis has been unequivocally clear about abortion, calling it a grave sin and murder. He has also said that abortion is a bit as if daily murder was accepted.
Pope Francis has also recalled the reaction to his apostolic exhortation, "Amoris Laetitia", and the debates surrounding giving Communion to divorced or remarried Catholics. He said that there was always this condemnation and that these are poor people who are temporarily outside, but they are children of God and need our pastoral action. He also said that he had never refused the Eucharist to anyone.
Pope Francis has also said that the debate about denying Communion to politicians who support abortion must be handled in a pastoral way, not by public condemnations that seek to "excommunicate" Catholics who are not in line with church teaching. He said that bishops must take a pastoral approach rather than wade into the political sphere. He also said that he preferred not to comment directly on the issue of denying Communion in the United States because he did not know the details.
Pope Francis has also been clear that abortion is not just a religious issue but a human one. He has said that abortion is an attack on life and that it is a benefit to women to promote abortion. He has also said that abortion puts an end to an innocent life.
In conclusion, Pope Francis has been very clear that abortion is a grave sin and that it is murder. However, he has also said that the Church should not excommunicate those who support abortion and that the Church should take a pastoral approach rather than a political one. He has also recalled the debates surrounding giving Communion to divorced or remarried Catholics and has said that he has never refused the Eucharist to anyone.
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The Catholic Church's doctrine
The Church teaches that abortion is a terrible wrong that has no place in Catholicism. Canon 915 of the Catholic Code of Canon Law states that those who are "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion". This means that Catholics who publicly support abortion rights are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. However, the Church's position on this is not always clear-cut, and there is some nuance. The Church recognises that Catholics may accept compromises that, while permitting direct abortions, lessen their incidence, such as restricting some forms or enacting remedies against the conditions that lead to abortions.
In the past, some Catholic politicians who support abortion rights have been refused communion or threatened with excommunication. In 2004, there was discussion around whether communion should be refused to American Catholic politicians who voted against laws banning abortion. In 2005, Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh said that no individual bishop should deny communion to politicians because of "national ramifications". In 2008, Raymond Burke, former Archbishop of St. Louis, said communion should not be given to politicians who support abortion rights, as it would send a confusing message to other Catholics. In 2021, New Mexico state senator Joe Cervantes was denied communion for cosponsoring legislation to repeal New Mexico's ban on abortion. In 2022, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the San Francisco archdiocese wrote a public notice that Nancy Pelosi would be refused Holy Communion due to her position on abortion.
However, there have also been instances of popes presiding over masses at which pro-abortion rights politicians have been given communion. For example, in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI gave communion to pro-abortion rights Catholic politicians Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, and Rudy Giuliani. In another instance, Pope Benedict XVI expressed support for the Mexican bishops' envisaged excommunication of politicians who had voted to legalise abortion, but Vatican officials later clarified that the Pope was not excommunicating anyone since the bishops had not declared an excommunication.
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Abortion as murder
Abortion is considered murder by many Catholics, who believe that life begins at conception. This belief is supported by scientific, religious, and ethical evidence, which points to personhood before birth. In this view, abortion is seen as the premeditated killing of an innocent human being, or murder. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "every procured abortion is a moral evil", and the Church's position on this has not changed since the 1st century.
However, there are differing opinions on whether abortion constitutes murder. Some argue that abortion is not murder because the fetus is not a person, but rather a clump of cells. They argue that personhood is defined as "the state or fact of being an individual; having human characteristics and feelings", and that a fetus does not meet these criteria. Additionally, they question the scientific and theological assumptions underlying the claim that life begins at conception. They argue that the question of when life begins is irrelevant to the matter of abortion, and that the more relevant question is whether a fetus is a legal person entitled to legal protection.
From a Catholic perspective, those who support abortion are at risk of excommunication and putting their immortal soul in grave danger. According to Canon 915 of the Catholic Code of Canon Law, those who are "obstinate in manifest grave sin" are not to be admitted to Holy Communion. Therefore, Catholics who publicly support abortion and do not repent are considered to be in a state of grave sin and are not permitted to receive Communion.
However, there is some nuance to this. While the Catholic Church's official position is that abortion is a grave sin, there are Catholics who identify as pro-choice. Some argue that the Vatican's acknowledgment that it does not know when a fetus becomes a person leaves room for Catholics to support legal abortion. Additionally, some Catholics may support legal abortion due to their political beliefs or a commitment to bodily autonomy.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church's teaching that abortion is a grave sin equivalent to murder has significant implications for Catholics who support abortion. While some may try to reconcile their Catholic faith with pro-choice beliefs, the Church's official position leaves little room for compromise. The Church's stance on this issue highlights the tension between religious doctrine and individual beliefs, and the complex ethical and moral questions surrounding abortion.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church opposes abortion as a matter of doctrine, and some bishops have refused or threatened to refuse communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. Canon law, specifically Canon 915, states that those who are "obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion". However, the decision to withhold communion is not always clear-cut, and there have been instances where pro-abortion rights Catholic politicians have received communion.
Abortion is considered a grave moral disorder and the deliberate killing of an innocent human being by the Catholic Church. Supporting abortion is seen as a mortal sin that makes a person unfit for communion. By allowing pro-abortion Catholics to receive communion, there is a risk that other Catholics will be led to believe that supporting abortion is acceptable within the Church.
While the Church officially condemns abortion, there is room for nuance. Catholics may accept compromises that permit direct abortions in certain circumstances, such as when the mother's life is in danger or in cases of rape or incest. Additionally, the Vatican has acknowledged that it does not know when the fetus becomes a person, and there is disagreement among theologians on this point.
Yes. In 2005, Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh suggested that denying communion to politicians should be a collective decision made by a majority of bishops or mandated by the Vatican. In contrast, bishops Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix and Charles J. Chaput of Denver stated they would act on their own initiative in extraordinary cases of public scandal. In 2021, New Mexico state senator Joe Cervantes, who supported legislation to repeal abortion restrictions, was denied communion. In the same year, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco publicly announced that Nancy Pelosi would be refused communion due to her position on abortion. On the other hand, Pope John Paul II gave communion to Tony Blair, then a pro-abortion-rights politician and Anglican, and Pope Benedict XVI gave communion to several pro-abortion-rights Catholic politicians, including Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, and Rudy Giuliani.
