Southern bishops excommunicate pro-choice politicians

This just in from the Polish Prince via the "Episcopal Spine of Steel Alert" at Ad Limina Apostolorum: Three southern bishops (pictured, left-to-right, the Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte; the Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, Bishop of Charleston, SC; and the Most Reverend John F. Donoghue, Archbishop of Atlanta) issued the following Joint Statement:

"Because of the influence that Catholics in public life have on the conduct of our daily lives and on the formation of our nation's future, we declare that Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on the sanctity and inviolability of human life, especially those running for or elected to public office are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte. Only after reconciliation with the Church has occurred, with the knowledge and consent of the local bishop, and public disavowal of former support for procured abortion, will the individual be permitted to approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We undertake this action to safeguard the sacred dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, to reassure the faithful, and to save sinners."

(When bishops will be bishops, peace will once again be restored to the Church. Thank God for such bishops. Thank you, bishops!)