Catholic Politicians Assail Cardinal’s Abortion Threat

Prominent Catholic politicians who support abortion rights have vowed to stand firm on the issue despite an “intimidating” statement from Cardinal John J. O’Connor that they could face excommunication.

“I think this type of language is intemperate, mean-spirited and in contempt of Christian and Catholic belief,” said Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), whose invitation to speak at a Catholic high school commencement was recently rescinded by the archdiocese because of his support for legal abortion.

Gov. Mario M. Cuomo termed O’Connor’s warning “upsetting . . . disconcerting.”

“The church leadership, led by the cardinal, the College of Cardinals and the Pope--we defer to them, respect them and let them speak for certain authority,” said Cuomo, who opposes abortion.

“But I’m a layman, and I speak for myself. It’s about people having the choice in our democracy and the freedom to have the choice. I have not changed my mind, nor will I.”

Cuomo’s comments were made in response to O’Connor’s warning, which appeared Thursday in the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of New York.

“Where Catholics are perceived not only as treating church teaching on abortion with contempt, but helping to multiply abortions by advocating legislation supporting abortion, or by making public funds available for abortion, bishops may decide that . . . such Catholics must be warned that they are at risk of excommunication,” O’Connor said.

Excommunication, the most powerful punishment that the church can impose, cuts Catholics off from the sacraments, with the exception of penance.