The new head of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), one of the most rabidly pro-abortion groups in America, is a Catholic former legislator. In her biography she claims that she “stood up to a public effort to excommunicate her” 15 years ago for her public pro-abortion stance as a politician.
Ah, but the Diocese of Helena, Montana, says no such thing happened. It says that then-Bishop Elden Curtiss called Nancy Keenan for a meeting after she appeared at a pro-abortion rally and said she was “personally opposed, but…” In fact, the diocese says, there were no sanctions imposed on her at all. Okay, is that supposed to be a good thing?
So what is the formal status of the head of the nation’s most vocal pro-abortion group? If she presents herself for Communion to the bishop in either her native Montana or her new home in the Arlington, Virginia, diocese, will she be allowed to receive? How close does material cooperation have to be?
A foul would at least mean there was contact with the ball.
Most of the bishops refuse to get into the on-deck circle.
“It says that then-Bishop Elden Curtiss called Nancy Keenan for a meeting after she appeared at a pro-abortion rally and said she was “personally opposed, but…”
I suppose now that she’s heading up the most rabidly pro-abort organization in the country, that “personally opposed, but,” nonsense no longer applies. Sick.
What will happen in Arlington? She will probably end up attending the same parish as other pro-abort public figures such as Congressman Moran. If the priest in question recognizes her, and he has any cajunoes (sp?) whatsoever, he will deny her Communion. But most of the time, she’ll be fine.
As long as she doesn’t kneel for it.
Off with her head!!
The current Church doesn’t excommunicate very much anymore.
Peter,
As has been said by others in response to your remarks, I’ll presume sarcasm.
David,
Last I looked you lived either in or near Arlington. Are people really denied Communion there for kneeling? I only ask because I see people kneeling for Communion pretty much every day and have never seen anyone denied it. That may be a peculiarity of Boston. (psst…I believe it’s “cajonies”)
In any case, I believe the point of the story is that the head of NARAL lied through her teeth. This is not a surprise. The power behind the throne of NARAL is the Prince of Lies.
The point of the story is also that what she says shouldn’t be a lie, i.e. that she should have been at least threatened with excommunication and then had it carried out if she didn’t comply. A bit of irony there,
No, Dom, that’s your point. Mine too, and perhaps others, but that’s not the point of the article.
She “boasts” about the so-called effort to “excommunicate her.” She lies.
The so-called “excommunication” attempt was, reportedly, merely an attempt, via a meeting, by her then bishop to point out the teachings of the Church. That’s what he was supposed to do.
Should he have taken this further and instigated excommunication proceedings? Perhaps yes. But that’s not the point of the article.
If you or I want to make the point that the lady should be excommunicated, you or I should write our own article…not rewrite another’s.
I thought you meant the point of my original blog entry, not the original news article. I wasn’t trying to re-write someone else’s article. I misunderstood what you were trying to say.
You’re a true gentleman, Domenico! Another way of putting it would be to say that I expressed myself badly!
Kelly, I also live “in or near” Arlington and until recently I could definitely have pointed you to a parish where you would have been refused communion if you knelt. I mean one where I had witnessed abuse in the communion line myself.