Representatives Challenge Papacy and Hint at Old Heresies

Eighteen U.S. congressmen issued a May 10 communiqué titled: “Catholic Members of Congress Express Concern Over Church Sanctions.” Rep. Rosa De Lauro and 17 other Catholic representatives signed the document protesting the use of ecclesiastical sanctions against pro-abortion legislators. Their arguments are analogous to those used by advocates of “constitutional churches” in times past. The TFP article, “U.S. Congressmen Challenge Papacy and Hint at Old Heresies" begins:

On May 10, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and 17 other Catholic U.S. Representatives issued a communiqué expressing their concern over the “Pope’s statement warning Catholic elected officials that they risk excommunication and would not receive communion for their pro-choice views.”1

It is quite possible that these Democratic congressmen reviewed the declaration hastily and signed on to it without realizing its full gravity.

Nevertheless, the statement raises concerns, for it suggests a state of revolt toward the Papacy and insinuates State supremacy over the Catholic Church. In so doing, the document suggests something of the errors of Gallicanism2 and Jansenism,3 which centuries ago took France under Philip the Fair,4 and Austria under Joseph II,5 to the brink of schism.