Posted on 11/07/2003 2:21:44 AM PST by nickcarraway
In my previous article, I asked you to write me with any names of up-and-coming faithful Catholic politicians you know about. Well, you flooded me with suggestions thank you! I've been following up on them and wanted to bring some of them to your attention.
Now, a number of people wondered why we hadn't listed Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), or Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) as faithful Catholics in politics. The reason is simple: I wanted to focus on the names most of you had never heard before. (Though hopefully, you'll be hearing more about them in the future.)
Happily, Santorum, Smith, and Brownback are all well known. And, needless to say, each is a fantastic example of a Catholic in politics who stands up for the truth, no matter what. In fact, CRISIS readers know that Rick Santorum is one of our monthly columnists (he writes "From The Hill," covering the controversial issues that come up in Washington).
But now, let's take a brief look at a few more up-and-coming faithful Catholic politicians. Some of these men and women might be working in your own backyard...
U.S. Congressman Pat Toomey (R-PA) The strongly pro-life Catholic Pat Toomey is now running for the Senate against liberal pro abortion Republican, Arlen Specter. Toomey has a 100% pro-life record, has the full support of both the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and the National Right to Life and was presented the Family Research Council's True Blue award for his solid support of the traditional family.
U.S. Congressman David Vitter (R-LA) This Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Harvard(also a Rhodes Scholar) is strongly pro-family, in addition to being a faithful Catholic (and a lector at his local parish).
Maine State Senator, Carolyn Gilman (R) A former librarian and mother of five (with five grandchildren), Gilman ran on a pro-life platform, beating an experienced pro-abortion politician. On November 8, she'll be addressing a Women Affirming Life breakfast in Portland.
Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast, Canada, Jason Kenney Despite its own political problems, our neighbor to the north can still boast some very brave public servants. Jason Kenney is a perfect example. This strong Catholic not only stood up to Prime Minister Jean Chretien's surrender to gay marriage, but he also entered a special tribute to Pope John Paul II into the House of Commons record on the pontiff's recent 25th anniversary. Of the many wonderful things Kenney said, he observed that the pope "has continued to preach his message of the divine origin of human dignity against post-modern distortions of freedom, the excesses of materialism, and the culture of death."
In future articles, I'll introduce you to some more, including some Democrats.
While it's easy to get discouraged by those candidates who use their Catholicism to get elected and then reject it in office, it's good to see that there are some brave exceptions to this rule.
And if this growing list is any indication, we may be looking at the beginning of a very positive trend.
Deal Hudson is editor and publisher of CRISIS Magazine. You can reach him via email at hudson@crisismagazine.com.
Has hell freezed over?
Canadian Prime Minister Taunts Church: "I Am A Catholic And For Abortion"
Catholic Church asks Tom Daschle to stop calling himself a Catholic
On Catholic Politicians and Faith
Vatican Urges Catholic Politicians to Vote Along Church Lines
Senator Santorum on Being Catholic and a Politician
William E. Simon, Sr. and Jr. Devout Catholics, Philanthropists and Politicians
Deadly Dozen senator taken to task over claims of Catholicism
THE BISHOP AND THE SENATOR [author links to FR thread regarding Daschle in her online column]
Blood On Their Hands: Exposing Pro-abortion Catholic Politicians
MI Gov Granholm Proclaims June "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month"
Colorado Governor To Media:'WE LOVE OUR CHURCH' [Gov. Bill Owens
U.S. Senator Brownback and Commentator Dick Morris Join Catholic Church
PRIEST REFUSES COMMUNION TO KNEELING PRO-LIFE POLITICIAN [Richard Black, Virginia]
Kerry [Catholic} says he'll filibuster Supreme Court nominees who do not support abortion rights
Pope to MPs: Stop gay marriage
Vatican - Considerations regarding ... homosexual persons
CONFUSIONS ABOUT POLITICAL JUDGMENT AND THE MORAL LAW
Prelate says politicians who back abortion shouldn't go to Communion
Bishop draws fire for targeting Chrétien
Kennedy likens Vatican stance on gay unions to 'bigotry' (oh, go get a job, you little creep)
Ignorance or Malicious Intent? "No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to..."
Conservative Catholics urge Church to challenge "dissenters"
[Robert F., Jr.] Kennedy to speak at Festival of Faiths (Environmentalism as religion)
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