Excommunication for the mother of a 9 year old rape victim

[Spade]

Sure, but the same is true for using birth control. When was the last time you saw someone excommunicated for that? That's what I don't get. They are obviously willing to bend the rules sometimes, so why not this time? If this poor woman doesn't deserve compassion and forgiveness then who does?

To clarify a misconception - no pun intended, there is no prohibition in North America. Catholics are free to follow their conscience on birth control.
In the US (Must be the same in Canada) 97% ± 3% of Catholic women of child-bearing age use or have used artificial birth control. (Source will be provided upon request). So, 100% is within the margin of error.

 

[Cannuck]

Sure, but the same is true for using birth control. When was the last time you saw someone excommunicated for that?

Without setting up shop in every Catholic's bedroom, it would be impossible to police. Look, it's very simple. The Church is a club and has rules people are required to follow to be part of the club. If you don't like their rules, don't join. If you are a member and break the rules, don't complain when you're turfed. If you think the rules need to be changed, join the club and fight for changes.

 

[tracy]

To clarify a misconception - no pun intended, there is no prohibition in North America. Catholics are free to follow their conscience on birth control.
In the US (Must be the same in Canada) 97% ± 3% of Catholic women of child-bearing age use or have used artificial birth control. (Source will be provided upon request). So, 100% is within the margin of error.

The Vatican is the decider of things and per the nun I work with, only natural family planning is allowed. The pill, IUDs, condoms, etc. are all still forbidden. The church simply doesn't push hard on enforcing it.

I work for a Catholic hospital and because of their religious beliefs, my insurance doesn't cover ANY kind of artificial birth control. I can afford my own and love my workplace (the nun is maybe the coolest old lady in the universe) so I don't mind.

 

[L Gilbert]

It's just more indication that the RCC is out-to-lunch, as are other establishments. They are more concerned with having control over people and implementing their own irrational intents and meanings of the Bible (Quran, Torah, etc.) than they are with sensible interpretations and being of much benefit to their followers. When all these religious leaders declare that the occasional follower is unreligious and breaking the tenets, it just indicates that they don't trust their own god(s) to be able to deal with the perpetrator. It is so sad that they declare & subject people to being pariahs and somewhat laughable because this attitude is inane at the same time.
The two biggest banes to human society are politics and religion.

 

[Spade]

The Vatican is the decider of things and per the nun I work with, only natural family planning is allowed. The pill, IUDs, condoms, etc. are all still forbidden. The church simply doesn't push hard on enforcing it.

She is wrong or dissembling. The CCCBishops petitioned the Vatican to allow freedom according to conscience. The Vatican agreed.

 

[Spade]

See letter by Edward Kennedy CSSR clarifying freedom of conscience (Western Catholic Reporter, March 02, 2009).
wcr:03/02/2009 — Letters to the Editor

 

[Tyr]

She is wrong or dissembling. The CCCBishops petitioned the Vatican to allow freedom according to conscience. The Vatican agreed.

 

[Zzarchov]

Without setting up shop in every Catholic's bedroom, it would be impossible to police. Look, it's very simple. The Church is a club and has rules people are required to follow to be part of the club. If you don't like their rules, don't join. If you are a member and break the rules, don't complain when you're turfed. If you think the rules need to be changed, join the club and fight for changes.

I agree with that, except in cases where there is formalized political power in the "clubs" hands.

 

[Tyr]

Since the church believes the fetus is a person and was murdered, I'm not sure what the problem is. I think murder is worse than rape.

 

[L Gilbert]

Is it? Murdered people don't have any grief after the fact (whether there is a heaven or not). Raped people have a lifetime of grief before they get relief.

 

[Cannuck]

Is it? Murdered people don't have any grief after the fact (whether there is a heaven or not). Raped people have a lifetime of grief before they get relief.

The crime of murder does not just affect the victim and not all rape victims have a lifetime of grief.

The simple fact is that most societies view murder as more serious than rape. That is why sentences for murder are amongst the harshest.

 

[Cannuck]

I agree with that, except in cases where there is formalized political power in the "clubs" hands.

That's the drawback of a democracy. Majority rules and if the majority are Catholic, you lose. Fortunately, we are moving away from democracy in North America.

 

[L Gilbert]

The crime of murder does not just affect the victim and not all rape victims have a lifetime of grief.

It also doesn't just affect the rape victim either. You are right, a few rape victims don't have any grief, they have to be institutionalized because they have shut off the rest of the world due to trauma. The majority of rape victims and families are traumatized for life. Once someone is gone, they are gone and it is easier to deal with. Ever time you see someone you love that's been raped, you are reminded.

The simple fact is that most societies view murder as more serious than rape. That is why sentences for murder are amongst the harshest.

That doesn't make murder worse than rape, it simply is viewed as being worse. Ever wonder why? I think it's because of the irrational fear of death and not going to "heaven". Why? Because of people's ridiculous belief in imaginary beings and the religions that sprouted from these beliefs.

 

[Cannuck]

The majority of rape victims and families are traumatized for life.

My apologies. I was unaware you knew most rape victims.

 

[L Gilbert]

I don't. But there has been research, child. I read studies.

 

[Cannuck]

I don't. But there has been research, child. I read studies.

I sure there has and I'm sure you do, boy.

 

[Tyr]

That's the drawback of a democracy. Majority rules and if the majority are Catholic, you lose. Fortunately, we are moving away from democracy in North America.

Fortunately, we are moving away from democracy in North America

Even more fortunate. We moved away from Catholicism many decades ago

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Fortunately, we are moving away from democracy in North America

Even more fortunate. We moved away from Catholicism many decades ago

Tyr, Catholicism at its worst isn't really any better than Islam at its worst.

 

[nosimij]

Surely every reader's sympathy is with the little girl and her mom. It would be gracious and civil of her church to pity them, not condemn them. Would Christ forgive?

 

[nosimij]

Actually, a democracy also protects minority rights: think of gay rights, people of colour, and other minorities, who would be constantly in fear if "majority rule" was not tempered with or by the existence of the Charter of Rights.