Next Pope Challenges: Abortion

Catholic Church leaders and Catholic politicians have often found themselves at odds over the Church’s teachings on abortion.

FOX News Radio’s Mike Majchrowitz reports that’s likely to continue under the new Pontiff:

(Fr. Pavone) “If you don’t buy that, well then don’t say that you are a Catholic.”

Father Frank Pavone, Director of Priests for Life, on Catholic politicians who vote pro-choice.  Pope Benedict in 2009 told then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life “at all stages of its development.”  In 2007, he suggested excommunication as a possible outcome.

(Fr. Pavone) “I suspect that the new Pope will be approached from many directions to do something even more about this problem.”

But for pro-choice Catholics, it is not against their faith to disagree with the teachings of the Church hierarchy.

(O’Brien) “Being in disagreement and in good faith is what you are entitled to do as a Catholic.”

Jon O’Brien, Catholics for Choice President, hopes for a Pontiff that will listen to their concerns, although he says it’s a long shot that the new Pope would moderate the Church’s position on abortion.

(O’Brien) “I am a Catholic and I believe in miracles, so really anything can be possible.”

In Washington, Mike Majchrowitz, FOX News Radio.

CLICK HERE for more of our special series on the Next Pope’s Challenges.