That's kind of what I thought too. They don't call it "Catholic guilt" for nothing.

But then again, how can I repent for something I haven't done (or the reverse of that) or something I don't believe is a sin?

I don't think abortion is a great idea, but weighing in the terms of keeping it legal or banning it; I don't think that type of opinion is something that should have me excommunicated/denied communion, etc.

Actually by not standing up against the killing of babies you are committing a sin (sin of ommission) - basically an accomplice to murder if you will and that is one of the 10 Commandments. In other words it is not a gray area at all and your statement is a case of moral relativism.

Being a Catholic is a lot more than JUST living the word of Jesus, going to Mass on Sunday, etc. You can't pick and choose what you believe of the Catholic Faith. You either accept all the teachings of the Catholic Faith or technically you are not Catholic.

Wow! Touchy aren't you. Actually that IS the stance of the Catholic Church. You may not agree with everything, but you still have to follow those Teachings/Dogmas/Truths/etc or, once again, technically you are not Catholic. This can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There is no such thing as a 'cafeteria Catholic' as some people like to put it.

I know that you really don't want to hear this, but knowing what the Church teaches and going against it can be considered a heresy.

I guess most people in this part of the world aren't "really Catholic" as are a handful of missionaries in the developing world who are handing out condoms to AIDS devestated areas.

And those that think that women and married men should be allowed to be ordained because there will be a serious shortage of priests in the US in a matter of a decade.

Of course if the "hardcore Catholics" have another solution to this, I'd gladly listen and share it with my priest, who feels the same way I do.

Actually I prefer to keep my politics and religion separate. I already said I didn't think abortion was great, so I won't get one. I don't monetarily support them (except taxes which I can't control anyway). I know there are other and better alternatives out there than abortion and would recommend them to anyone. But politically, I'm pro-choice because banning it won't make it disappear instantly and then we go back to wire hangers and more women dying due to faulty clinics. So you may as well keep it safer for those that aren't Catholic/pro-life/etc and let them deal with God when they get to the pearly gates.

I didn't want to turn this into this type of debate, but like PMMama said, who are you to judge?

Actually, there really is NOT a shortage of priests in the world at all - seriously (and this is after having a discussion with a number of priests I work with). You will actually not have priests that are allowed to marry or married deacons being ordained. You will NEVER have women being ordained into the Roman Catholic priesthood.

Actually, you may not like it because I'm not agreeing with you, I am actually loving you more than you know.

A quick question back at you. . . .what you think about ANY Catholic who has sex outside of marriage, attends Mass on Sundays, wears a cross, reads the Bible, etc? This IS the same issue and receives the same amount of prayers.

THAT is truly loving your neighbor.

Well then send them to Sacramento, because in 10-25 years we will have a total of about 30 for 92 parishes.

I've noticed a number of GCers lately who like to make absolute statements like "___ will NEVER happen" etc. I'd just like to know who your psychics are and what brand of crystal ball you use. Because NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. Never say never.

Who said anything about judging, other than PMMama? There is a BIG line between educating and judging. Did I EVERY say that ANYONE is going to Hell, excommunicated, etc? NO - nor was it ever implied on my part.

To say that you are pro-choice is considered a sin of ommission (this IS a fact) because you are not doing anything to stop the killing of babies - and would YOU like to justify your stance to Jesus when YOU get to the pearly gates? No, abortions will not stop overnight - they have been going on for millenia. But that does not make them morally right. You actually CANNOT separate your religion from politics. Your religious background formed your moral code. You cannot TRULY separate your religion from politics like you cannot TRULY separate your right hand from your left - they are still connected until you cut one off completely.

When dealing the absolute truths, they will never happen. Unless Jesus comes down and changes these things himself, they WILL NEVER HAPPEN - and then we will be at a point where it really doesn't matter any more, will we?

And then there is an issue with promoting and fostering vocations. God has the Call out and people have to be open to listening to that Call.

I'm just saying that you're coming off very authoritative. Last time I checked, you weren't a church official. So you're in no place to be telling people that they're not really Catholics and telling them what they're to think or believe.

How on earth do you know that priests will never be able to marry and that women will never be able to become priests? You don't. A lot of things have changed in this world over the past 2000 years and they will continue to change.

Take a step back. You're not the pope. I recognize your knowledge of the church but chill the heck out!