Top bishops clash over excommunication of Catholics who support new abortion bill
Archbishops Diarmuid Martin and Eamon Martin disagree strongly on how to handle issue
By PATRICK COUNIHAN, IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 7:03 AMUpdated Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 9:11 AM
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A row has erupted between two senior Irish Catholic church leaders over the treatment of those who support the new abortion legislation.
Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and Coadjutor Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin have clashed as the abortion debate intensifies. Eamon Martin is newly appointed and will be Ireland’s top clergyman when he takes over from Cardinal Sean Brady in a year.
The Irish Independent reports that their sharp disagreement is the first sign of division among senior clerics.
The Dublin Archbishop spoke after Archbishop Eamon Martin warned that politicians who knowingly introduced legislation ‘aiding and abetting abortion’ should not approach a priest looking for communion.
Archbishop Eamon Martin said that legislators who supported abortion were excommunicating themselves.
He said: “You cannot regard yourself as a person of faith and support abortion.
“If a legislator comes to me and says, ‘Can I be a faithful Catholic and support abortion?’ I would say no. Your communion is ruptured if you support abortion.
“You are excommunicating yourself. Any legislator who clearly and publicly states this should not approach looking for communion.”
In response Archbishop Diarmuid Martin told the paper he does not want to see the sacrament of communion being used ‘for publicity reasons’ by anybody in the debate surrounding abortion.
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If Holy Mother Church’s Leadership can’t agree to defend “the brand”, what hope does the Church have?
Sorry, but if you can’t enforce doctrinal discipline, then scratch “bad example” as a sin.
If “we” believe some thing is sacred, like life, then how do we rationalize this “controversy”.
I don’t pretend to be a saint, but when I move to NH and run for office, (Lord willing), I’ll defend life.
Argh!
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Filed under: Endnote Tagged: abortion, CINO politicians, excommunication
