The Catholic Church's stance on reproductive choice has been unyielding; in 2004 the Pope struck out and said that pro-choice Catholic politicians (like then-Presidential candidate John Kerry) should be denied communion. Even birth control is too much for the new Pope
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Benedict, formerly known by the nickname ?God's Rottweiler.? Reality though, has a way of making even Rottweilers flinch. Now facing flagging attendance and shrinking contributions, some of that hard-lining is going soft. Given the chance to fill some empty pews, by allowing conservative Anglicans into the ranks, the Catholic Church is backing off. Those conservative Anglicans are disaffected by their own church's more liberal stances on contraception, gay rights and women's autonomy but they're not about to excommunicate pro choicers -- not yet. So suddenly, Rome is willing to do as the Anglicans do.... and call debate over reproductive rights a difference of opinion. Heck, they're even willing to create loopholes to let married clergy stay married. Fancy that. So what about all those fights over all those years? What about all those denied a place in their faith, and most of all, those who died due to botched and politicized abortions? All those who were forced to bear children against their will, or were infected with HIV due to lies about condoms -- or no sex ed at all? Now we find out they suffered simply over a difference of opinion? One anti-choicer quoted on the topic recently celebrated -- "Anglicans are committing doctrinal suicide," he said. So maybe there's not so much openness going on as flat out pragmatics. On the other hand, RH Reality Check notes that half the worldwide members of the Anglican church live in Africa, where conservative clergy preach against condoms, homosexuality, and women's choice. Maybe it's less of a split than we'd like to think. So much for the reformation -- all Conservative Anglicans need is Bishops back. Just don't mention divorce.
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