A group has called on Chicago Cardinal
Francis George to excommunicate Governor Pat Quinn for his support of
gay marriage.
The Rockford Pro-Life Initiative put
out the call in a statement.
“If Cardinal George and all the
Illinois Bishops declare that any politician who claims to be
Catholic, including Gov. Quinn, [who] votes for a homosexual marriage
bill would be automatically and publicly excommunicated, this would
stand a very good chance of protecting marriage.”
Bills aimed at legalizing marriage
equality are expected to be introduced on Wednesday.
(Related: Gay
marriage bills introduced in Illinois.)
George, also the head of the Catholic
Conference of Illinois, is an outspoken opponent of the proposed
legislation. However, the group chided him for failing to hold the
governor accountable.
“Governor Quinn is also under the
authority of Cardinal George, who has flatly refused to use his
authority to discipline Gov. Quinn.”
“Is it any wonder that our 'Catholic'
governor continues his destruction of human life and families when
the leader of the Church in Illinois refuses to use the authority of
his office to excommunicate a governor who uses his Catholic faith
and political power to destroy countless human lives and souls?”
(Related: Cardinal
Francis George: Gay marriage is unnatural.)