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 Matt A.J.

January 30, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) – Protestant evangelist Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, took to Twitter urging New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan to “Take a moral stand.”

“The Catholic Church is discussing as to whether New York Governor Cuomo should be excommunicated from the church for signing the state’s new abortion bill,” he explained to his nearly two million followers. “This law allows for the murder of unborn children up until the day of their birth.”

“I call on my friend Cardinal Dolan to take a moral stand,” continued Graham. “Whether it moves the governor’s calloused heart or not, it will have a great impact on not only the church in New York, but on the church worldwide.”

“It’s about standing for right over wrong, good over evil,” he added.

Graham then quoted Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, “I don't see it as something to celebrate … the kind of procedures that now are possible in New York state, we wouldn't even do to a dog or a cat. … It's torture.”

Bishop Scharfenberger has been outspoken in his criticism of Cuomo, saying that while excommunication is a last resort, Cuomo’s recent enshrining of virtually-unlimited abortion in the state as a “fundamental right” and then publicly celebrating the new law may be a tipping point that may leave the Church no other option.  

“One can put themself in the position whereby morally they cannot receive Communion at the altar rail,” he added. “And I think the Governor is in that situation right now.”

Bishop Scharfenberger said he can’t understand Cuomo’s mindset, which permits the governor to support abortion up until the last minute before birth.  

“The kind of procedures that now are possible in New York State, we wouldn’t even do to a dog or a cat,” said the bishop. “It’s torture.