Many Catholics have called for the excommunication of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after he recently signed legislation allowing for abortion up to the point of birth.

“Excommunication is a last resort, and as the Governor continues to distance himself from our communion, it may, unfortunately, result in that,” said Albany’s Bishop Edward Scharfenberger in an interview on Fox & Friends.

“My hope is that since his faith is important to him, he will reconsider the importance of maintaining that communion and not continue to distance himself,” said Scharfenberger.

“One can put themselves in the position whereby morally they cannot receive Communion at the altar rail,” he added. “And I think the Governor is in that situation right now.”

This is after Timothy Cardinal Dolan’s spokesman said that excommunication would not be appropriate in this case.

Others have backed up this view stating that:

(1) a law in place that prohibits, under pain of excommunication, a given action,

(2) accessibility to facts sufficient to demonstrate the guilt of an individual accused of doing such an act, and

(3) an independent process to interpret the law and apply it correctly to the facts at hand.

Still, the desire, especially from the laity, for something to be done to retaliate against the New York legislators remains high.

The New York abortion bill is particularly troubling—even for people who call themselves pro-choice. As medical analysts and pundits have said, there’s really no reason to abort a preborn baby nearing full term: