When she took her vows years ago, I doubt Sister Margaret McBride ever thought that she would have to make a choice between remaining in the Roman Catholic Church and saving someone’s life. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. I share reporters Dan Harris and Claudia Morales in their incredulity over how quickly this happened. As we listen to news reports of pedophiles keeping their pulpits for years after their crimes have been discovered, we now hear about Sister Margaret. She’s been excommunicated because she allowed a medically-necessary abortion. Had she not allowed this procedure, both mother and fetus would have been lost. She saved one. She’s been thrown out of her church.
I can only think of one verse in the entire Hebrew and Christian scripture to speak to this situation. John 11:35:
Jesus wept.
Of course she was excommunicated. Those who dedicate their lives to truth must dedicate their lives to truth. Life is sacrosanct and we are not God. Only He gives and takes life. It is about His will not ours.