Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 9, 2007 / 10:10 am
Pope Benedict, on his way to Brazil for a five day apostolic visit, reminded the journalists aboard the airplane bringing him to Brazil, that the Church "does not interfere into politics, we respect the non-religious character of the State, but the Church gives a framework in which social questions can beanswered adequatly."
Pope Benedict on Wednesday warned Catholic politicians they risked excommunication from the Church and should not receive communion if they support abortion.
Pope Benedict referred to such important issues happening on the continent regarding the respect to life, as abortion laws are being enacted in Mexico, and Colombia. It was the first time that the Pope, speaking to reporters aboard the plane taking him on a trip to Brazil, dealt in depth with a controversial topic that has come up in many countries, including the United States, Mexico, and Italy.
"Yes, this excommunication was not an arbitrary one but is allowed by Canon (church) law which says that the killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving communion, which is receiving the body of Christ," he said about the stance of Church authorities to excommunicate the parliamentarians who supported the vote.