Mackenzie,

First things first, sorry about using ‘Sir’ rather than the correct ‘Madam’; I did that a while ago with CelticAngel also. Must be the misogynist in me…

As for the relationship between Senator Kerry and the RC Church; while his position on abortion is, to say the least of things, at variance with church doctrine, I don’t think he is excommunicate. That is a formal, legalistic relationship between the Church and a parishioner, and a very severe one at that. Were he excommunicate, no priest would be permitted to give him communion.

I noticed that in none of the pages was there any formal declaration of excommunication. While the communication “provides a basis” for excommunication, it is a bit of a stretch to assume that an excommunication of him by the church has occurred. Canon 751 of the Code of Canon Law refers to schismatic acts, such as those of Archbishop Lefebvre in the 70s and 80s following his rejection of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Senator Kerry’s position on abortion can be - and has been - called heretical by some, but it is a far cry from schismatic.

It would be injudicious in the extreme for the Vatican to excommunicate a member of the church who could soon be in a position to influence affairs which are of interest to it. Any organization which has remained in business for as long as the Church has is flexible enough to accommodate Senator Kerry’s stance on abortion.

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Eudaimonia