Catholic bishop snubs GOP leader

Vanderburgh County Right to Life in Evansville, Indiana, will soon host the largest pro-life banquet in the nation -- but at least one invited high-profile guest won't attend.

The sold-out event will attract about 4,500 people, and among guest speakers are former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Republican Party chairman Michael Steele. Steele, a Roman Catholic who has stated that he is pro-life, recently declared in a Gentlemen's Quarterly article that abortion is an "individual choice." (See earlier article)

Now, Bishop Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger of the Diocese of Evansville is declining to attend. Mary Ellen Van Dyke, executive director of Vanderburgh County Right to Life, says her organization is "saddened" that Gettelfinger will not attend.

Van Dyke says the pro-life issue should bring people together, not separate them. "It's not about being Catholic. It's not about being Protestant," she emphasizes. "It's about being together and celebrating the sanctity of all human life." She believes the bishop's views are based strictly on the GQ article.

But Van Dyke shares that she is satisfied that Steele is pro-life. "We have gathered facts and we have spoken with Mr. Steele," she says. "Mr. Steele stated that he is pro-life, was pro-life, and always will be pro-life."

In contrast, Evansville Catholic Charities director Jim Collins, who also plans not to attend, tells The Washington Times that the speaker at the banquet has always been someone with "impeccable pro-life credentials" -- but that he has "not found one credible achievement" by Steele on pro-life issues.

Steele has shot himself in the foot!

Typical Republicrat maneuver.

Inviting Steele to speak at a pro-life event is foolish. Disinvite him.

2 posted on 03/25/2009 1:16:59 PM PDT by iowamark (certified by Michael Steele as "ugly and incendiary")

The sold-out event will attract about 4,500 people, and among guest speakers are former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Republican Party chairman Michael Steele.

Well, this is news isn't it?

3 posted on 03/25/2009 1:17:45 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)

Michael neds to DIS-INVITE HIMSELF!

4 posted on 03/25/2009 1:21:10 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)

Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.

He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.

5 posted on 03/25/2009 1:35:15 PM PDT by stockpirate (A people unwilling to use extreme violence to preserve liberty deserves the tyrant that rules them)

Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.

He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.

6 posted on 03/25/2009 1:35:17 PM PDT by stockpirate (A people unwilling to use extreme violence to preserve liberty deserves the tyrant that rules them)

Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.

He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.

7 posted on 03/25/2009 1:35:20 PM PDT by stockpirate (A people unwilling to use extreme violence to preserve liberty deserves the tyrant that rules them)

What Steele also needs to do is to humble himself and man up about it. If he is truly pro-life, then go to the bishop personally, with no media fanfare and apologize. Do the same in public. Steele needs to mend fences with the base and every day that he keeps quiet makes it that much more difficult later on.

8 posted on 03/25/2009 1:58:01 PM PDT by ABQHispConservative (A Blue Dog Democrat is an oxyMoron!)

To: sleepwalker; Roses0508; feedback doctor; LibLieSlayer; Extremely Extreme Extremist; mnehring; ...

In case you missed this Thread with announcements of events Sarah will attend in the lower 48:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2204868/posts

(Posted the thread before launching the big ping).

9 posted on 03/25/2009 2:02:15 PM PDT by SolidWood (Palin: "We do not want to becomes slaves of Washington.")

I agree with you trice.

10 posted on 03/26/2009 5:07:53 AM PDT by IbJensen ("The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples' money."Thatcher)

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