House Dems challenge Pope Benedict XVI
By Jonathan E. Kaplan
May 14, 2007

A group of House Democrats Monday publicly repudiated the Pope’s recent suggestion that politicians who support abortion rights should be excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.

In a letter to the Vatican, 18 House Democrats, led by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), are responding to Pope Benedict XVI’s statement that indicates he would support Mexican bishops if they were to excommunicate Mexican legislators who voted last month to legalize abortion in Mexico City.

The Pope made his remarks last Wednesday during a news conference aboard a plane before he was to begin a five-day visit to Brazil.

“We are concerned with the Pope’s recent statement warning Catholic elected officials that they risk excommunication and would not receive communion for their pro-choice views,” the lawmakers wrote, according to the letter released Monday. “Advancing respect for life and for the dignity of every human being is, as our church has taught us, our own life's mission.” the rest