Frustrated that so many Catholic politicians support abortion rights, the bishops of the United States said Monday they will begin evaluating whether they can impose sanctions against elected official

Frustrated that so many Catholic politicians support abortion rights, the bishops of the United States said Monday they will begin evaluating whether they can impose sanctions against elected officials who vote contrary to church teachings. In a freewheeling discussion reflecting years of concern, some bishops suggested that the church should consider punishments ranging from denying honorary degrees to elected officials, refusing to allow them to speak at Catholic institutions, or even excommunicating them.