There is no such thing as a pro-abortion Catholic — you are either anti-abortion or a heretic.
During the Pope’s recent visit to the United States, he addressed many social issues facing the U.S., but he failed to condemn the most serious issue — abortion.
His visit comes as the threat of a government shutdown draws closer. Republicans are rightfully attempting to prevent federal funding of Planned Parenthood, while Democrats want to keep its funding.
During an address to congress, the Pope said, “Golden Rule … reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.” The social issues he discussed are not nearly as important as the murder of millions of unborn children.
A growing issue in the U.S. among Catholics is the alarming number who support people’s choice to have abortions. Noted Catholic politicians John Kerry, Joe Biden and Patrick Kennedy contradict their faith with their support of individuals’ choices to have abortions.
Catholic public officials attempt to separate their religious beliefs from their acts in office. Office holders should not contradict their religion because of political beliefs — separation of church and state.
Public officials are held to a higher standard than other individuals because they have the power to lead people into the wrong direction with their influence. By supporting abortions, they are sinning by leading millions of Catholics down the wrong path.
As Catholics, it is our responsibility to acknowledge pro-abortion office holders rejected the church in favor of heresy. The Pope should excommunicate the public officials who divert people away from the Church, giving them a dose of reality.
Bishops and priests in America have long debated whether pro-abortion politicians deserve communion or not. It is not for them to decide, and they should not reject Holy Communion from anyone.
The sinner is responsible for acknowledging their own wrongdoings. We shouldn’t treat them differently as people, but we shouldn’t treat them as Catholics.
No one has the right to judge pro-abortion supporters. What we can decide whether we choose to elect more officials like this. I do not always agree with the choices of Gov. Bobby Jindal, but I applaud his staunch opposition to abortions.
The Catholic Church is completely opposed to any form of abortion. In November 2010, the Vatican said the use of condoms is the lesser of the two evils when preventing life threatening circumstances, such as HIV. The Church’s stance negates any reason a child should be aborted for disease-related reasons.
Everyone sins, but Catholics look to the church as a moral guide. We know what is or isn’t considered a sin based on church doctrine, not by the opinions of aggravated people.
You support murder, your church opposes abortions and you decide on your own that you are not sinning? Those beliefs are simply heresy.
If Catholics decided for themselves what is a sin or which church doctrine to follow, we would be the same as Protestants. The real choice here is not between an anti-abortion or pro-abortion Catholic. It is whether you support infanticide or not.
Garrett Marcel is a 21-year-old petroleum engineering senior from Houma, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Gret419.