The story Jim refers to is here. It happened in Brazil in 2008-2009. The nine-year-old girl had an abortion, and she and her family were excommunicated. A followup story shows that there were some at the highest levels of the Vatican who disagreed with the actions of the bishop in Brazil.

Last year, a Mercy Sister in Phoenix was excommunicated because she voted to allow an abortion at a Catholic hospital to save the life of the mother. Later, the bishop withdrew the hospital's status as a Catholic hospital.

Progressive Catholics and many moderates generally think both bishops are assholes, trying to win political points by grandstanding against abortion.

Some people use such events as an opportunity to condemn all Catholics, even those who work against asshole bishops.

-Joe Offer-