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55 'Catholic' Democrats Out Themselves as Pro-Abortion - Slammed by Catholic Leaders

By John-Henry Westen

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a so-called 'Statement of Principles', 55 House Democrats have exposed themselves as being pro-abortion.  The self-proclaimed 'historic' statement issued Monday, contains the basic message that the proponents support all the politically correct teachings of the Catholic Church such as reducing poverty and increasing access to education and health care but stop short on the Church's teaching on abortion.  The letter also conveniently skips over the issue of homosexuality which has serious bearing in public life today.

On abortion, the Democrats make a lame attempt to feign agreement with the Church saying that they, "agree with the Catholic Church about the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion, we do not celebrate its practice."  They propose as a solution, not granting unborn children the legal right to life, but rather efforts toward "reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and creating an environment with policies that encourage pregnancies to be carried to term. We believe this includes promoting alternatives to abortion . . ."

The gobbledygook is not being bought by Catholic leadership, both lay and clerical. 

Catholic League president William Donohue commented, "The House Catholic Democrats who signed this statement - and 17 of them did not - are trying to convince the public, and especially Catholics, that one can be a good Catholic and differ with the Catholic Church on abortion."

"Perhaps the most convincing evidence that this statement is a sham," said Donahue, " is the fact that Rep. Rosa DeLauro is the point person for this effort.  There has never been an abortion she couldn't justify, including the killing of an innocent child who is 80-percent born.  Indeed, she previously served as the executive director of EMILY's List, the richest pro-abortion organization in the country.  So with her at the helm, the 'Statement of Principle' is nothing more than a 'Statement of Politics.'"

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented that the legislators had "made a big mistake" and introduced "a bundle of contradictions" into the public debate on faith and public service.

"This statement tries to soften the contradiction between creating a just society and tolerating legal abortion," said Fr. Pavone.  "The voting records of these legislators are available to anyone who wants to look them up. To fail to protect the unborn, and then to say that you are 'committed to…protecting the most vulnerable among us' is a blatant contradiction."

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President of Human Life International (HLI), responded to the 'Statement of Principles' saying, "On the Eve of Ash Wednesday the day that marks the beginning of the Lenten Season, 'Catholic' House Democrats choose to play the role of Judas in a passion play that ends with the crucifixion of the unborn child."

"The House Democrat so-called 'Statement of Principles' is nothing more than Washington-speak for: 'We support abortion on demand and we do not care what the Church teaches.'

The 55 signatories and the full letter are available online here:
http://www.house.gov/delauro/press/2006/February/catholic_statement_2_28_06.html

The 55 are also listed below:
Joe Baca
Xavier Becerra
Robert Brady
Michael Capuano
Dennis A. Cardoza
Wm. Lacy Clay
Jim Costa
Joseph Crowley
Peter A. DeFazio
William Delahunt
Rosa DeLauro
Mike Doyle
Anna Eshoo
Lane Evans
Charles A. Gonzalez
Raul M. Grijalva
Luis V. Gutierrez
Maurice Hinchey
Tim Holden
Patrick J. Kennedy
Dale E. Kildee
James R. Langevin
John B. Larson
Stephen Lynch
Edward J. Markey
Jim Marshall
Carolyn McCarthy
Betty McCollum
James P. McGovern
Cynthia McKinney
Marty Meehan
Michael H. Michaud
George Miller
James P. Moran
Grace Napolitano
Richard E. Neal
James L. Oberstar
David R. Obey
Frank Pallone
Bill Pascrell
Ed Pastor
Nancy Pelosi
Silvestre Reyes
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Tim Ryan
John T. Salazar
Linda T. Sanchez
Loretta Sanchez
Jose Serrano
Hilda L. Solis
Bart Stupak
Gene Taylor
Mike Thompson
Nydia Velazquez
Diane Watson

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