Democratic Governor Faces Calls for Excommunication Over Abortion Legislation
A prominent Catholic advocacy group is urging the excommunication of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, following her recent endorsement of a bill permitting abortion up to birth.
Healey, who identifies as Catholic, approved legislation aimed at enhancing patient access to care. This bill, known as H.5595, eliminates the previous 24-week cap, allowing abortions at any stage of pregnancy. During the signing ceremony, she was met with applause and surrounded by supporters.
Proponents of the law highlight that Massachusetts aligns with states like Alaska, Vermont, Oregon, New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., which permit fetal abortions until the moment of birth.
Kelsey Reinhardt, president and CEO of CatholicVote, publicly called for the Massachusetts bishops to consider excommunicating Healey in a letter dated Wednesday. She emphasized the need for the Church to provide clarity and direction to its followers.
According to Reinhardt, the Church’s doctrine states that individuals involved in performing or facilitating an abortion face automatic excommunication. She questioned whether Governor Healey fits this definition as a “material accomplice,” suggesting the bishops should be the ones to confirm this.
Reinhardt elaborated that signing such a bill is not a passive act but a critical component of the legislative process. She argued that without Healey’s signature, the provisions of H.5595 would be inert, reinforcing her point about the governor’s accountability.
She also characterized the legalization of abortion through this bill as a “public scandal,” asserting that the Church has the right to address such issues openly.
“What message does this send to Catholics in Massachusetts and others observing across the nation?” Reinhardt asked. “It essentially says that any Catholic in good standing can endorse a bill allowing for abortion up until birth and be celebrated for it,” she claimed.
Moreover, she contended that this isn’t merely about personal sin. It’s a troubling lesson imparted by a Catholic leader to her constituents, showcasing the misuse of her authority.
Reinhardt clarified that her call for excommunication isn’t aimed at punishment but rather reflects the Church’s principle of “medicinal punishment.” She argued that, akin to administering medicine to address illness, taking such measures is an act of love intended to reclaim Healey’s moral standing.
She pressed the Massachusetts bishops to voice their concerns, given that unborn children are unable to advocate for themselves.
“If a Catholic governor publicly signs a bill permitting abortion up to birth and celebrates it, and the bishops only respond with a press release, what message does that convey?” she questioned. “This creates a perception that such actions are acceptable within the Catholic community.”
Reinhardt stressed the need for correction, suggesting that the credibility of the Church’s moral teachings hinges on the bishops’ willingness to address these significant issues.
As of now, neither the governor’s office, the Archdiocese of Boston, nor the Massachusetts Catholic Conference has provided a response to these developments.
