Dr Ed Peters: Applying Canon 1398 to Politicians is Very Weak

The case for applying Canon 1398 to politicians is very weak

Robert Miller's important essay for First Things (30 May 2007), wherein he says that, in accord with Canon 1398, "the Church should declare openly that [Catholic politicians] have incurred the penalty of excommunication latae sententiae", must be carefully read before considering my remarks.

snip, snip

In Miller's essay, we see a serious analyst applying, in charity, a fine mind to an important issue. … But if Miller, with everything he brings to the discussion, is wrong in asserting that Canon 1398 can reach pro-abortion Catholic politicians, and I think he is wrong, does that not mean that the time has come to conclude this particular debate and focus on other ecclesiastical responses, including canonical ones, to the grave scandal these people give?

Read the rest here: http://www.canonlaw.info/2007/05/case-for-applying-canon-1398-to.html