Source: Fox News
Summary
A Catholic organization is urging Massachusetts bishops to act against Gov. Maura Healey after she signed a law allowing abortions up to birth, making Massachusetts the 10th state to do so. CatholicVote president Kelsey Reinhardt said the law is contrary to faith and urged bishops to consider excommunicating Healey. The law, set to take effect in November, allows abortions based on a physician’s judgment. CatholicVote argues bishops should take formal action against politicians who support abortion rights. Bishop Robert Barron condemned the law and called it barbaric. Healey, a Catholic, faces calls for discipline from Church leaders.
Our Reading
As expected, the matter has reached another stage.
CatholicVote urges bishops to act against Healey, a Catholic governor.
Bishop Barron calls the law barbaric, referencing a crowd clapping at the signing.
Reinhardt points to past examples, like Cuomo and Pelosi, to justify calls for discipline.
The law, once again, forces bishops to confront their role in political conflicts.
Author: Evan Null
Massachusetts Law and Catholic Response
The new Massachusetts law allows abortions up to birth, making it the 10th state to do so. Gov. Maura Healey, a Catholic, signed the bill in mid-August. The law will take effect on November 8. It permits abortions based on a physician’s professional judgment, removing previous restrictions. The change has sparked strong reactions from Catholic leaders and organizations.
CatholicVote’s Role
CatholicVote president Kelsey Reinhardt called the law a violation of faith. She urged bishops to consider excommunicating Healey under canon law. Reinhardt argued that Healey is an “accomplice” in abortion and should face formal discipline. The organization has been vocal in its opposition to abortion rights and has called for bishops to take action against Catholic politicians who support such policies.
Bishop Barron’s Condemnation
Bishop Robert Barron condemned the law and described it as barbaric. He criticized the reaction of the crowd at the signing, calling it “gross.” Barron’s comments were widely shared, including by Sen. Mike Lee, who described the law as infanticide. The bishop’s statements reignited discussions about whether bishops should move beyond public criticism and impose consequences on Catholic politicians who support abortion rights.
Historical Context
Reinhardt and Barron referenced past examples, including former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo’s 1984 speech. Cuomo argued that Catholic politicians could oppose abortion personally without enforcing it through law. The discussion also included Nancy Pelosi, who was barred from receiving Holy Communion in 2022 due to her support for abortion rights. These examples show a long-standing debate within the Church about how to handle Catholic politicians who support abortion.
Broader Implications
The law has reignited a decades-old debate about how Catholic leaders should respond to Democratic politicians who support abortion rights. CatholicVote argues that bishops must take a stronger stance. The organization claims that allowing politicians to take positions contrary to Church teaching creates confusion among the faithful. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between religious beliefs and political action in the U.S.
