Washington, D.C. (6 March 2009) – American Life League is asking Cardinal Roger Mahony if his public ban of a Holocaust-denying bishop signals his willingness to take a similar position on pro-abortion advocates in his own archdiocese and parish.
Mahony, head of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, announced March 3 that he is banning Bishop Richard Williamson from any Roman Catholic Church, school, or other facility in the archdiocese for denying certain facts about the Nazi Holocaust.
“Since Cardinal Mahony is taking such a strong public position against the Nazi holocaust denier, Bishop Richard Williamson, SSPX, we are hopeful it signals a new attitude towards those who deny and actively support the American holocaust of abortion,” said Michael Hichborn, spokesman for American Life League.
Mahony and two officials of the American Jewish Committee signed a commentary that stated, "Holocaust deniers like Williamson will find no sympathetic ear or place of refuge in the Catholic Church, of which he is not — and may never become — a member.”
"Cardinal Mahony's apparent ire regarding one Holocaust denier should provoke him to enforce Catholic Church law when it comes to pro-abortion public figures, that is if he is to be consistent," Hichborn stated.
“Canon law is clear. Supporting so-called abortion rights is intrinsically evil, and obstinate persistence in grave, manifest sin requires denial of Holy Communion. For pro-abortion public figures to be allowed to receive Holy Communion is a huge scandal,” Hichborn continued. “How many people have taken this as a form of silent consent?”
Hichborn is the head of American Life League’s Canon 915 project, directed at encouraging bishops and priests to protect the Holy Eucharist from sacrilege.
“Banning a brother bishop from even entering a church is a serious and extreme step,” said Hichborn. “We are waiting for Cardinal Mahony to take similar measures for those who support the intrinsic evil of abortion.”
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- American Life League: Canon915.org http://canon915.org/
- The Tidings: Catholic-Jewish relations resilient in face of Williamson episode http://www.the-tidings.com/2009/030609/statement.htm