Excommunication and Abortion
Given all the events of the past month, I’ve been doing a lot reflection on the Church’s law concerning those who procure an abortion. I have to be honest. The more I listen to all parties in this debate, the less comfortable I am with the canon that automatically excommunicates any individual who procures an abortion. To explain, in my experience, most of the women who put to death their child in the womb are acting under some sort of emotional, mental and/or psychological duress. The abortion only compounds the problem, and thus what they need in most cases is our help and compassion in coming to grips with the trauma they’ve inflicted on themselves as the reality of having ended the life of their child in the womb sets in. I don’t think canonical censures against these women are helpful or do much to combat the problem.
On the other hand, I don’t reject all use of canonical censures to fight this intrinsic evil. Rather, we need to aim canonical censures where they are due. In my opinion, the Church should toughen and enforce canonical censures (if not excommunication, at least interdict) against so-called “Catholic” politicians, doctors, pregnancy counselors, nurses and lawyers who continue to support and protect the abortion industry for either political or financial gain. This is where, in my humble opinion, canonical censures could have a real effect in bring to an end the culture of death.