NewsMax.com 

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003

Bishop to Gov. Davis:
Choose Abortion or Communion

At least one bishop in America is enforcing the Vatican's warning to allegedly Catholic politicians. Sacramento Bishop William Weigand says California Gov. Gray Davis must renounce his support of abortion or stop taking Holy Communion. "As your bishop, I have to say clearly that anyone, politician or otherwise, who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk, and is not in good standing with the church," Weigand announced Wednesday during a cathedral Mass mourning the 30th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. "Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart." Proud of the Right to Kill Would Davis alienate La-La Land's largely pro-abortion electorate? Russ Lopez, a spokesman for the scandal-plagued governor, said the bishop was "trying to make an example, and that's sad. But Governor Davis has said repeatedly that he is proud of the legislation he has signed giving women the right to choose. He will not back down." Lopez criticized the bishop for "telling the faithful how to practice their faith," the Sacramento Bee reported today. 'Who's Going to Be Left?' Many Catholics are pro-abortion, according to Lopez. "Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion? Who's going to be left in church?" In his homily, Weigand quoted from papal doctrine: "Those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life." The bishop praised Monsignor Edward Kavanagh, who last month said the governor should stop showing his face at St. Patrick's Orphanage unless he renounced his pro-abortion stance. Davis told Kavanagh: "I'm unapologetically pro-choice, and I'm not changing my position." 'Can't Have It Both Ways' Weigand said: "Ever since the little incident last month, people have been asking questions. They asked "how can a Catholic be in good standing and still hold that point of view? I'm saying you can't be a Catholic in good standing and hold that point of view. The governor's position is very public and contrary. ... You can't have it both ways." Davis thumbed his nose at the bishop and monsignor Wednesday by issuing a press release in which he praised himself for making California what he calls "the most pro-choice state in America." "He goes to church, and he says his prayers, and that's good," said Weigand. "But he's been aggressive on this issue, even boastful. "I'm just trying to clarify that he is not in line with the Catholic Church on an issue that the pope has said is the most important issue of our day."