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One of the conditions for excommunication is that the offender is believed to be in “grave sin” which is “manifest”. The word “manifest” refers to something that is “obvious”. Ultimately, it is up to the bishops whose jurisdictions Nancy Pelosi lives in to decide whether or not to bar her from receiving Holy Communion, though the Pope could step in if necessary. Assuredly, no bishop should (or would) excommunicate any individual if the act would, in and of itself, serve to drive that individual further away from the Church. But on the question of whether or not it is “obvious” that Nancy Pelosi is in “grave sin“, the answer will come from the Catholic faithful themselves.
Canon 212, Section 3, states that it is within the “right” and “duty” of the faithful to make such matters “manifest” to the bishops.
[The Catholic faithful] have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ’s faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.
Nancy Pelosi’s bishops are Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco. Neither has yet shown the will to issue a decree of excommunication for Nancy Pelosi. They’ve been accused of giving a “wink and a nod” to Pelosi, but as long as a majority of the Catholic faithful — the Church Militant — continue to give a wink and a nod to this “Champion” of Planned Parenthood, as if abortion is no more serious an offense than climbing trees or singing in the abbey, the bishops will likely not sense a compelling reason to issue a decree of excommunication.
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