Many Catholics Want Gov. Cuomo Excommunicated From Church

Many Catholics, including high-ranking ones, want Gov. Cuomo to be excommunicated after he passed a "historic" abortion rights bill.

Download the Hudson Valley Post App

Last week, Cuomo signed the bill after it was approved overwhelmingly by state lawmakers. The Reproductive Health Act amends the public health law, removes restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks if it protects the woman's health or if a fetus isn't viable, decriminalizes access to abortions and protects doctors who perform them.

Following the passing of the bill, many Catholics called for Gov. Cuomo to be excommunicated from the church, according to the Washington Post.

An excommunicated person isn't allowed to participate in church ceremonies, hold leadership positions in a church or be named a godparent or confirmation sponsor.

"It goes way beyond Roe v. Wade in so many ways, so I don't see it as something to celebrate," Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger said on 'Fox & Friends'. "The kind of procedures that are now available in New York state, we wouldn't even do to a dog or a cat...It's torture."

Over 118,000 signed an online petition asking for Cuomo to remove his signature from the bill.

Tennesee Bishop Rick Stika said on Twitter he'd consider excommunication of a Catholic Governor in his jurisdiction if his Governor did the same as Cuomo.

According to Fox News, many Catholics, including bishops want Cuomo excommunicated, but don't think it will happen.

Spot a typo? Let us know.