The proscription against promoting abortion is automatic, so there's no way around it. Violate the law, you're guilty. Your penalty isn't here on earth, it is in the hereafter.
Only God can commute your sentence, and only if you repent and are forgiven. Remember, canon law isn't the same as common law.
If you are excommunicated, you remain excommunicated until you, yourself, do something about it.
Taking communion when you know that you are excommunicated is also a sin.
So "free-thinkers", as you put it, are compounding sin upon sin.
The big problem is, what can the Church do about people who openly flout the laws of the Church? Refusing to give them communion until they publicly recant may be the only solution.
Remember, it is also a sin to be the occasion of sin in others. (Not sure if you were raised Catholic or not. If not, you may not realize it's a sin to cause others to sin.) Thus, Kerry, Pelosi, and Kennedy may be tempting others to sin because of their high office and position of respect in the community. They lead others to believe that what they are doing is OK. |
