While no one objects that a bishop has the power to excommunicate, or even in some cases put a parish or community under interdict, the question a lot of people are asking is this: is it a prudent move?
I think the abortion issue frustrates a lot of people, especially in the US. The political parties have maneuvered things to remain open and the fundraising pours in. Now that the Republicans have decided it’s time to nudge on the issue, I suppose the shifting dynamic to issues more vital to the most recent president and his 1% can sustain GOP coffers.
As for bishops and politicians, I think the image we get is that Catholicism remains in many minds a membership issue. Not one of faith. Too bad. We were making progress here and there on making disciples.
Catholic Sensibility 