text: You would be hard-pressed to find a bishop who will come right out and say "vote Republican  or place your immortal soul at risk." Instead, they do what my local bishop did: read a statement at all masses throughout the diocese that Catholics "must vote for candidates who support pro-life issues." Threat of excommunication and eternal damnation for voting the wrong way usually happen during other homilies. It's a slick, clever maneuver that prevents the diocese from having its tax-exempt status suddenly revoked by the IRS.