Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, Brazilian Bishop Involved In 9-Year-Old Abortion Controversy, Retires

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican has announced the retirement of a Brazilian archbishop who caused a major stir when he declared that those involved in an abortion for a 9-year-old rape victim were excommunicated.

The Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation submitted for reasons of age of 76-year-old Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho of Olinda and Recife.

The archbishop said in May that the mother and doctors of the girl were excommunicated. The church forbids abortion, and excommunication is considered automatic for those involved in an abortion.

Brazil's president sharply criticized the archbishop's decision and an influential Vatican prelate argued for a sense of "mercy" in such cases.

Comments

[Hirnlego]

"One is often told that it is a very wrong thing to attack religion, because religion makes men virtuous. So I am told; I have not noticed it. " B. Russell

[Jaywalkker]

Submitted for reasons of age? He doesn't have to be made an example of, but why not try to harp on the fact that he's a heartless shrew of a man. Why not spin this into one of those, "this is not the church of your parents" and try to sell some compassion.

[TaxTheRichNow]

Why didn't he fall back on that Republican oldie but goodie, "I'm resigning so I can spend more time with my family".

Oh -- I think I get it now.

[RaderBarbarian]

The Roman Catholic Church continues to dig its grave - and it cannot be completed and filled soon enough for the health and well-being of the world. God will be pleased when Roman Catholicism has been dumped into the dustbin of history right alongside the other long forgotten evil-condoning religions that did far more harm to the earth and its people than they did good. Sorry, Catholics, but it is not too late for you to abandon that evil institution and put your faith and good works to use in the edification of the glory of God rather than the glory of a church that has been a blight on humanity for so long.

[esgabel]

The Roman Catholic Church is not limited to its institutions and hierarchy.
I am the Catholic Church--I live, I understand its' history and tradition, I revel in its' mystery and miracles, I know in my heart that the spritual journey I travel is made stronger through my Baptism, the Bible, the Saints, the Trinity and the Eucharist--I am sorry that you do not see the Catholic Community in this light.

[DennisMM]

Wow. Let's throw in all Christians, to be safe. Catholics are Christians, after all.

[HPdevotee]

Good riddance.