There’s a great political division in the Catholic Church, largely reflecting the division of the recent Obama/McCain election. A bit less than half, 46% voted for McCain, or maybe against Obama. The Catholic vote was about the same.
Recently there has been news about Catholic Bishops and Priests speaking out against Obama and putting him on notice that his pro-abortion policies will be resisted. A few Priests, maybe 1 or 2, have suggested that Catholics who voted for Obama should refrain from Communion given his radical pro-abortion stances. Obama has pledged to sign the Freedom of Choice Act if Congress passes it which will remove the laws against Partial Birth Abortion and prevent states from enacting restrictions on abortion.
Liberals in the Catholic Church have complained about statements and homilies speaking out against Obama. For the most part, the Church is very careful in crafting statements on political issues.
What I think the Church needs to do (to a large extent it is doing this, but I’m pushing for clarity) is to very emphatically state that it WILL take a political stance on some issues. Right now, the two main issues are Pro-Life, meaning against abortion and embryonic stem cell research, and Pro-Traditional Marriage, meaning against official recognition of same sex marriages. The Church WILL speak out and express its views on those positions and encourage and assist in support for its positions on those issues.
The Church WILL allow for petitioning after Mass if the petition works against abortion and same sex marriage, and WILL speak out against politicians when they promote abortion or same sex marriage.
I’m not suggesting the Church limit itself to those two issues, however  the problem with so many other issues, regards taking a position on their solution. For instance, the Church supports helping the poor, and an end to wars. How do we help the poor. Many think more government spending and taxing the rich is the right thing to do. But many others, including myself, want lower taxes, and lower spending to encourage business growth and therefore job growth, thus helping the poor. Many think we should cut back on defense spending and try more diplomacy. But many others, including myself, want a strong national defense to deter other countries from acting aggressively. If I, or another Catholic express a Scrooge like opinion that the poor should get on with dieing and decrease the surplus population, or say that war and killing in a war is good, then that certainly goes against Church beliefs. Church officials may have their opinions on solutions to these problems, but should not make it the Church’s.
Now, what about Catholics who vote for candidates who are pro-abortion and/or pro-same sex marriage. And what about Catholics who disagree with the Church on its anti-abortion and anti-same sex marriage positions. Many Catholics say that they support the Church’s position, but just don’t see the banning of it happening, or much if any restrictions. So they feel justified in ignoring a candidate’s pro-abortion position, focusing on other issues. When I hear a Catholic state this view, I’ll be honest and say I strongly suspect they aren’t being honest, and basically don’t regard the abortion and/or same sex marriage issue as important, maybe even supporting one or both. But I nor anyone in the Church can read minds. While it’s only been a very few Priests or Bishops that have suggested Catholic Obama supporters should refrain from Communion, it is right that the Church tell those Priests or Bishops to tone it down. However, when it occurs that Obama or any other politician promotes abortion, same sex marriage, or embryonic stem cell research, it is right that the Church state its opposition, even directly referring to the politician.
Catholics who openly work for promoting abortion or same sex marriage, are going against the Church, and it is right that the Church tell them that they are not in Communion. Maybe in some cases they should be excommunicated, such as when they continue to identify themselves publicly as Catholic when told not to do so. But overall, the Church does not  want to drive over half the members out. The Church must speak out on some issues even if it makes some members uncomfortable, and even leave the Church, but there will continue to be both conservative and liberal Catholics and each side, overall, should be glad that we are all together as Catholics.