Posted on 03/25/2009 1:14:45 PM PDT by IbJensen
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.
Typical Republicrat maneuver.
Inviting Steele to speak at a pro-life event is foolish. Disinvite him.
Well, this is news isn't it?
Michael neds to DIS-INVITE HIMSELF!
Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.
He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.
Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.
He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.
Steele is NOT pro-life or pro-gun rights.
He is however pro-RINO. And is a pro RINO.
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.
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).
I agree with you trice.
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