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New St. Louis Catholic Archbishop Warns Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians of Excommunication

MADISON, WIS., December 4, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, who was appointed the new Archbishop of St. Louis by Pope John Paul II Tuesday, has warned Catholic pro-abortion politicians that by voting against life they have put themselves outside of communion with the Church. "They can't promote any legislation, which would either continue or worsen the anti-life practices," Archbishop-elect Burke said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "If they were to continue to do that, I would simply have to ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing."

While Bishop Burke did not reveal the letters he sent to politicians on the matter, the paper accessed a letter under freedom of information laws. In a three page letter dated August 29, Bishop Burke wrote Catholic state Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) who has a pro-abortion voting record.

"You have failed to restrict the evil of abortion when the opportunity presented itself . . . I call upon you to consider the consequences for your own spiritual well-being, as well as the scandal you risk by leading others into serious sin," the letter said. Bishop Burke reminded Lassa "As a faithful member of the Catholic Church, you have an obligation to fulfill the duties of your office with regard not only to the laws of the state, but also with regard to the moral law."

He sent Lassa a copy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' document "Living the Gospel of Life" and encouraged her to read it and set an appointment with him on the matter. Lassa did not set an appointment and told the Journal Sentinel, "I'm concerned that the bishop would pressure legislators to vote according to the dictates of the church instead of the wishes of their constituents because that is not consistent with our Democratic ideals . . . I appreciate that the bishop has expressed his opinion and I will take that into consideration, but I have to consider what's in the best interest of my constituents . . . But I can't let my religion take precedence over my duties as a legislator."

To send a note of thanks to Bishop Burke via his secretary email:
Susan Vlasak


See the Journal Sentinel coverage:
http://www.jsonline.com/lifestyle/religion/dec03/190088.asp
and also the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/St.+Louis+City+/+County/A...

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