Pro-Abortion Catholic Senators Named 'Deadly Dozen'

CNSNews.com ^ | January 22, 2003 | Jeff Johnson

[madprof98]

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - "You can't be both Catholic and pro-abortion" declares a full-page advertisement appearing in Wednesday's edition of the Washington Times. The ad - designed to replicate a wanted poster - identifies 12 U.S. Senators under the headline "The Deadly Dozen" and declares them "Wanted for fraudulently claiming the Catholic faith."

On the 30th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion during all nine months of pregnancy, Judie Brown - president of the group American Life League (ALL) that sponsored the ad - said she and other Catholics are tired of waiting for bishops to take corrective action against public officials who openly violate church law.

"We have waited patiently, out of respect for the hierarchy of the church, for [bishops] to do something," Brown said. "But this is the 30th anniversary of decriminalized child-killing. We're not waiting anymore."

Since the beginning of the first century, the Catholic Church has defined abortion as "an intrinsic moral evil," not permissible under any circumstances.

ALL's ad campaign identifies Sens. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Joseph Biden (D-Del.) as "Openly pro-abortion 'Catholic[s].'"

In a letter to each lawmaker's bishop, Brown pleaded for disciplinary action.

"I trust you share our concern that many openly pro-abortion politicians continue to claim membership in the Catholic Church and to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist," Brown wrote.

"As you can see, we reference the authority of Canon Law 915 and call on all bishops to actively prevent openly pro-abortion politicians like the 12 in this ad from receiving Holy Communion," she added.

The Catholic Church's Canon Law 915 states that "Those who...obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Communion."

One bishop had already responded to the letter. Rev. Robert Carlson, bishop of Sioux Falls, replied to Brown's concerns as they relate to Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

"[W]hile Senator Thomas Daschle lists himself as a Catholic, it is my understanding that he neither attends church nor receives Holy Communion on the rare occasions when he is in church," Carlson wrote. "I have documented this, and again would be interested if you have information to the contrary."

Brown also wrote each senator on the list to inform them in advance of the planned publication of the ads and seek their comments or rebuttal.

"You profess to be Catholic, and yet you deviate from the teaching of Christ and the Church in this gravest of earthly concerns - the willful taking of innocent human life," she wrote, informing each senator of the call for intervention by local bishops.

"[Y]ou will remain in our daily prayers, as we wait for your heart to be turned away from this evil and for your sincere repentance," Brown concluded. "We pray that you will seek to restore your standing as a faithful member of the Catholic Church."

ALL has received no response from any of the senators.

Alex Glass, a spokeswoman for Murray, responded on the senator's behalf.

"Patty Murray has worked to reduce the number of abortions in this country by expanding access to safe and affordable family planning alternatives," Glass told CNSNews.com, reading from a prepared statement. "She invites her critics to join in her efforts."

In an emailed statement, Sen. Christopher Dodd's (D-Conn.) spokeswoman, Ryan McGinn, acknowledged Dodd's pro-abortion position. She claimed, however, that he respects those who disagree with him and believes individuals on both sides of the debate should seek "common ground."

"There is no place in America for personal attacks on those with whom one disagrees," McGinn wrote. "Ultimately, Senator Dodd's religious views are a personal matter between him and God."

None of the nine other senators' offices returned calls seeking comment for this article.

The campaign is expected to cost "hundreds of thousands" of dollars, according to Brown, who said phase one of the effort will include newspaper ads in each senator's hometown, as well as radio and television ads and banners on buses. Phases two and three of the ad campaign will focus on members of the House of Representatives.

"We have more than 100 elected officials who identify themselves as Catholic and are, at the same time, pro-abortion," Brown explained. "In order to carry on the theme of the 'Deadly Dozen,' we'll have to do 12 at a time. I think it will probably take us all of the year 2003 to expose them."

ALL officials said an investigation is currently underway to identify any governors who claim to be Catholic but are openly pro-abortion. No decision has yet been made as to whether or not a similar ad campaign might follow based on that investigation.

Brown said the group will publicize any responses they receive either from bishops or lawmakers, as well as the absence of a response.

"We've had, over the years...in the hundreds of complaints [like] 'Why doesn't my bishop do something about this?'" she said, explaining the primary motivation for her frustration. "If you do not have the right to life, you have no rights at all."

The print ad was refused by eight of the 12 Catholic newspapers in the dioceses where the senators live. One responded in writing that the "tone" of the ad might be offensive to some readers.

"My response to the editors so far has been that abortion is 'offensive' to babies, too," Brown concluded. "It kills them."

[madprof98]

I know the story has appeared before, but I found it interesting that only one bishop offered a response, and at least eight of them evidently are defending their pro-abort Catholic pols. That bishop in Sacramento really went out on a limb when he criticized Gray Davis. Apparently the others agree with Davis's spokesperson that they need to avoid telling the "faithful" how to live out their "faith."

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

There is a up to $500.00 (not to exceed ever $25,000) fine to any one that kills an 'endangered' fox, or upsets/touches certain turtle nest eggs along our shores. Under the detailed listings of the federal Endangered Species Act.

There is a $350.00 to $500.00 'amount due' to kill the human species. (AKA abortion) And in second/third human trimesters; scissors are jabbed into the HUMAN head and the brains are sucked out-In elective surgeries- daily, in the United States, all under the guise of a woman's "right." The only real "right" is the "right" to remain silent.

When will humans become "endangered" and protected?

When will the so called pro-"choicers" realize basic science skills of the food-chain? Human's are NOT at the bottom of the food-chain.

Do they really see what they do, with their political correctness all in the guise of a "woman's right"?

[PeterPrinciple]

Hold them to the fire!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Capt. Tom]

There is no place in America for personal attacks on those with whom one disagrees," McGinn wrote. "Ultimately, Senator Dodd's religious views are a personal matter between him and God."

Fair enough; but don't call yourself a Catholic when you openoy hold beliefs contrary to the teachings of the church.

It's one thing to be a sinner, another to be a heretic. - tom

[Dad was my hero]

"Patty Murray has worked to reduce the number of abortions in this country by expanding access to safe and affordable family planning alternatives," Glass told CNSNews.com, reading from a prepared statement. "She invites her critics to join in her efforts."

If you support abortion, why be offended by the number? And, family planning alternatives short of NFP would not be supported by the Catholic Church anyway.

[hopespringseternal]

"Ultimately, Senator Dodd's religious views are a personal matter between him and God."

Ultimately, yes, but that doesn't absolve the church of its responsibility to throw the bum out.

[jimkress]

In an emailed statement, Sen. Christopher Dodd's (D-Conn.) spokeswoman, Ryan McGinn, acknowledged Dodd's pro-abortion position. She claimed, however, that he respects those who disagree with him and believes individuals on both sides of the debate should seek "common ground."

Oh really? According to this statement, Mr. Dodd must also believe that we should seek "common ground" with al Qaeda.

[chiefqc]

The sign amost says it all, what it does not say is:

"But only if you pay us will we be more than happy to assist you in your time of need".

[HumanaeVitae]

How about adding James Carville, Paul Begala, Margaret Carlson, Mark Shields, and Anna Quindlen, amongst many other "Catholic" journalists and political consultants who do everything possible to attack the pro-life position of the Church?

Quindlen is by far the worst...not only did she work for the NYT, but has come out for: abortion on demand, euthanasia, gay marriage, etc. And she refers to God as a "She", not a "He"...

[Tall_Texan]

...and you wonder why the libs were so enthusiastic for campaign finance reform. When September 2004 rolls around, groups like these will be legally censored.

[TotusTuus]

"Ultimately, Senator Dodd's religious views are a personal matter between him and God."

That Senator Dodd, or anyone else, in freedom has a right to form their own views about religion or anything else is a given.

However, when in freely accepting the free, divine, supernatural gift and call by God in Faith through Grace into full communion of the mystical body of Christ which is the Church, consequent baptismal duties and responsibilities to belief and growth in the Faith and the living of a Holy and virtuous life are assumed as well. None of this without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Whose temple we become. The Christian Religion is the only one whose claim is that God Himself comes to us and swears a sacred oath (against Himself, no less) on our behalf in Jesus Christ. This is, individually and collectively, true for all believers. In the Holy Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament (oath!), our Lord perpetuates Himself vowed to us as head of His mystical body and bridegroom of His bride. In receiving Holy Communion, the Sacrament of unity, we acknowledge, accept, and confirm His free gift of Grace to us. We grow and become evermore mystically united to Him and to each other, being members of one and the same body. Our Faith and life and being belong to Him our Lord, and through Him, to each other. In a word, our life of Grace, as well as our sins, affect not only us as individuals, but the whole mystical body of Christ as well - our brothers and sisters in Faith - the Church.

Sorry, Senator Dodd, as a Catholic your "personal" religious views are between you and God and, through Christ, the Church. Search your conscience and pray. If for whatever reason you cannot or will not accept this, perhaps you should voluntarily separate yourself from the Catholic Church until such a time you are willing to believe and live your Faith, if it indeed is your Faith. It would have the additional bonus of saving a Bishop the effort of formally excommunicating you.

[jmaroneps37]

On November 21, 2002, Pope John Paul II approved the church's position on politicians who call themselves Catholics and hold differing public/private positions on abortion. The letter was titled The Participation of Catholics in Political life. The Holy Father made it very clear that Catholic politicans can not hold the cynical mario coo-moe "position" that "Of course I'm personally opposed to abortion but; I must follow the law". This posting covers the "Catholic" dirty dozen in the senate. What follows is the list of Congress's Catholic Zeros. Each person listed is a self identified Roman Catholic and each recieved a National Right to Life Committee rating of Zero, for the last congressional session.
Az. Ed Pastor Calf. Mike Thompson George Miller Nancy Pelosi Ellen Tauscher Anna Eshoo Xavier Becerra Lucille Royal-Allard Grace Napolitano Joe Beca Lorretta Sanchez

Conn. John Larson Rosa DeLauro Ill. Luis Gutierrez Lane Evans
Maine John Baldacci Mass. James McGoven Martin Meehan
Edward Markey Michael Capuano Minn. Betty McCollum
Missouri Karen McCarthy NJ Frank Pallone Robert Menendez
NY Nydia Velazquez Jose Serrano Maurice Hinchey
Pa. Robert Brady William Coyne
Texas Charles Gonzalez Ciro Rodriquez Wisc. Thomas Barrett

Baldacci is now the Gov. of Maine. Everyone in this group is a Democrat. Unfortunately, all of these people won reelection with big numbers, a few even unopposed. If anyone can figure a way to use this to the advantage of good, please go to it.

[oldironsides]

McGovern is a liberal that gets elected by loading the elderly housing with anti GOP garbage . He scares the poor old Catholics to vote for him with his social security message. He insists the Rebublicans will take your money. The elderly have no choice but to vote for someone that scares them like that. They think he is the only one that can save their money.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Exactly! How very sad.

[wcbtinman]

Now all we have to do is to get the Catholic Church to declare them "Murderers", and have them publicly ex-communicated.

[Coleus]

Sign the petition, I did:

http://www.cathfam.org/cfexcom/Excom.html

Herod's Heroes:

http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/2001May/2001hh.htm

http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/2002Mar/house.htm

Pray the Rosary:
http://www.rosariesforlife.org/information.asp

Very Important Thread for Catholics
Living the Gospel of Life:
A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States

http://www.nccbuscc.org/prolife/gospel.htm

Vote Catholic and get on their e mail list, larryvote@aol.com
http://www.catholicvote.org

Catechism
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm#2270 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a5.htm
Canon Law
http://members.aol.com/abtrbng/canonl.htm
Humanae Vitae
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Paul06/p6humana.htm

VERITATIS SPLENDOR
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor_en.html
OCTAGESIMA ADVENIENS
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Paul06/p6oct.htm
Evangelium Vitae
http://www.newadvent.org/docs/jp02ev.htm
End Socialism
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius11/P11QUADR.HTM
The Bible's Teaching Against Abortion
By: Fr. Frank A. Pavone
http://www.priestsforlife.org/brochures/thebible.html
Catholic Activism
http://www.diocesereport.com/guest_col/kopp_activism_march01.shtml
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/780464/posts

[victim soul]

"Ultimately, Senator Dodd's religious views are a personal matter between him and God."

There will be no time for filibusters to discuss his religious views when he is called home to Judgment. That is why it is imperative that he be educated, reconciled and reconverted to His Faith.