Are American Catholics still against Abortion?

The Pope, as head of the church, says that abortion is a mortal sin and that you will be ex-communicated for doing so. However, in the US a lot of the Priests and Bishops tend to do things the way they want to do them. I do not think that they actually condone abortion or preach that it is ok, but they do not prevent prominent speakers who are for abortion, from speaking at their universities and presenting them with honors. Of course by allowing them to speak, they are giving tacit approval. Shalom~Adoniah

It sort of depends on the Catholic. Most practicing, church-going Catholics are definitely against abortion. However, a lot of Catholics who aren't really into their religion, but were raised in it are pro-abortion. I'm a Catholic and I'm against abortion. What Pelosi said is outrageous, and I don't think any bishop, priest, or even the pope, would consider her a good Catholic.

I agree that these actions seem to undermine what the Pope says, but anyone (even Pelosi!) should know that the Catholic church has always taken a hard stand against abortion.

I'm Roman Catholic and I'm pro choice. Although I personally find abortion abominable, I think the choice should rest with the woman who is carrying the embryo. A lot of Catholics feel the same and since as far as I know, the Pope has never spoken Ex-Cathadra on abortion, we can still be Catholics in good standing although a lot of recent publicity has indicated otherwise. PS Notre Dame might be pre-eminent in sports but most Catholics would consider Georgtown to be the pre-eminent Catholic university.

I can not speak for all, but most PRACTICING Catholics I know oppose abortion. My mom my dad (when he was alive), my sister, my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents (one of which is still alive) are all practicing Catholics and agree with the Pope on this issue. The Pope is not a "prophet" as I have seen him regarded as here in this the read, he is "Christ's Vicar on Earth" meaning he is the voice of the Church. The Pope is "infallible" according the the Roman Catholic Church, meaning that he cannot be wrong. I make no claims to be a "good Catholic" because I truly am not, I'm just letting you know what I know as I understand it having been raised in that church. Divorcees can be excommunicated from the Church as well, marriage is supposed to be a one shot deal, a lifetime commitment, a holy sacriment - but few seem to see it that way any more. Doesn't mean it isn't so, but people tend to ignore things that are inconvenient to them. There are many Catholics who have divorced that still claim to be Catholic.

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=2315 Ted- This article was from the recent handling of an abortion in a 9 year old girl in Brazil in which the Catholic church upheld the excommunication of the doctor. So, being that this was the most recent, even if in Brazil, I would assume American catholics are still held to the Code of Canon Law. http://www.americancatholic.org/news/newsreport.aspx?id=796 This is a recent article in American Catholic which urges Catholics to pray against abortion, etc. I grew up Catholic, but I'm no longer a practicing one. I have to say that for myself I've always been torn. I feel it's wrong to use abortion as birthcontrol, but in the case of an emergency, or such I feel that the mother's life is always most important. It would be a very difficult decision, mind you, but one that would have to be made. I think though that the Catholics meeting with the President despite his views on abortion or anything else for that matter is a good one. The Catholic church, in my humble opinion, in America has at least been trying to bridge the community via acceptance of all regardless of our race, creed, etc. I know they've gotten a bad rap for their history, but sad truth is none of the organized faiths have a good clean history. I grew up when the late Cardinal Bernadine was working in the city of Chicago trying to get people to stop the violence. I always admired his efforts. Enjoy the articles. Namaste-Anora

I was raised Catholic but have not followed the religion in years. If they have changed their stance on abortion, then they have changed a great deal. They have always been against even birth control. I can only think that the Pope is accepting Obama as a person and still not accepting his beliefs if that makes any sense. Kind of like....I can be friends with a person whose beliefs are very different than my own because I do like and respect that person even if I don't subscribe to all of their thinking. A person does not have to think or be like me in order for me to respect them and enjoy their company.