
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990                   TAG: 9006300328
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Short

BISHOP EXCOMMUNICATES ABORTION CLINIC DIRECTOR

The Roman Catholic church has formally excommunicated an abortion clinic director, saying in a decree that her work "is a sin against God and humanity."

An abortion-rights leader said Friday the action may be unprecedented, but a church official noted that a Rhode Island woman had received a letter in 1986 saying she had brought on her excommunication by helping women get abortions.

Rachel Vargas, director of Reproductive Services Inc., was excommunicated by Bishop Rene H. Gracida of the Corpus Christi Diocese.

Vargas said she considers herself a good Catholic and plans to keep attending Mass, even though she is now barred from the sacraments, including communion, confession and anointing of the sick.

Frances Kissling, president of Catholics for a Free Choice in Washington, D.C., said the excommunication "would mean every hospital administrator who works in a hospital that performs abortions can be excommunicated, or the pharmacist who sells the drugs," she said.

The church's stand on abortion has drawn more attention recently as Catholic officials have told public officials who support abortion rights that they might be denied communion. Bishop Leo Maher of San Diego last November forbid communion to a state senate candidate favoring abortion rights.

- Associated Press

by CNB