Huh

I'm not a Catholic, but I understand that the church kinda frowns on the whole abortion thing. But some liberal Catholics are apparently conflicted about that:

A group of 18 Catholic House Democrats publicly disputed Pope Benedict XVI's recent condemnation of politicians who support abortion rights, saying that "such notions offend the very nature of the American experiment."

On his flight to Brazil last Wednesday (May 9), Benedict said Catholic politicians in Mexico City who recently voted to legalize abortion could consider themselves excommunicated from the church [my emphasis]. The Vatican later said the pope was merely restating church policy, which calls for Catholics who participate in abortions to exclude themselves from taking Holy Communion.

On Monday (May 14), Catholic House Democrats said Benedict's comments "do a great disservice to the centuries of good work the church has done."

"The fact is that religious sanction in the political arena directly conflicts with our fundamental beliefs about the role and responsibility of democratic representatives in a pluralistic America — it also clashes with freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution," a statement from the 18 lawmakers said.

Now, I'm less interested in the doctrinal or constitutional aspects of this story than I am by the fact that, apparently, we seem to have annexed Mexico at some point. When did that happen, and how did I miss it?

(Via Dan Collins, writing at pw.)