Pope Benedict XVI caused such a stir with his comments on the excommunication of lawmakers who vote in favor of legalizing abortion that the Vatican released a transcript Thursday changing what he said.
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Lombardi told reporters such edits are common. “Every time the pope speaks off-the-cuff the Secretariat of State reviews and cleans up his remarks,” he said.
Orwell rolls over again.
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I really hate the editing policy, even if I can somewhat understand it. I would very much prefer that "explanatory statements" be issued instead of editing transcripts. I think it just makes more sense.
I find the situation in Mexico fascinating, from a strictly academic perspective. The Mexican Bishops (as the Pope pointed out) would be acting legally (according to Canon law) if they excommunicate the Mexican officials who voted in favor of legalizing abortion in Mexico City, but in Mexico, there is a law that makes it illegal for religion to interfere with politics. This means that if the Bishops do this, the government may find them guilty of violating this law and punish them. While I haven't followed recent Mexican history as closely as US, the last time I recall this law being enforced was when the Jesuits were expelled from Mexico. So I have to wonder, if the Bishops excommunicate, will they be expelled? And if this threat (or the threat of any punishment) is looming over their heads for performing their religious function, will they not act out of fear of governmental retribution? All in all, I find this a fascinating confrontation between church and state.
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