Catholics United to Support Pro-Life Democrats

Catholics United, a liberal organization, has pledged to support Pro-Life Democrats who voted for the pro-abortion health care bill in the upcoming November elections.  This political maneuvering will have controversial repercussions for Pro-Life organizations, Republicans, and Catholics.

Catholics United committed to donate five hundred thousand dollars to the campaign war chests of Pro-Life Democrats.  The Democratic Representatives that will benefit most from this support are U.S. House members John Boccieri (OH), Kathy Dahlkemper (PA), Steve Driehaus (OH), and Tom Perriello (VA).  According to LifeNews, the majority of this money will go toward advertising and staffers responsible for mobilizing voters.

Catholics United feels that these Democrats have been unfairly criticized by Pro-Life organizations such as National Right to Life Committee, Susan B. Anthony List, and the Family Research Council.  In a press release, Catholics United stated that Democrats were facing a “coordinated, misinformation campaign from a host of self-proclaimed Pro-Life groups.”  Such an antagonistic approach toward Pro-Life groups will affect relationships with Catholics United long after the November elections are over.

Catholics United’s impact will be far-reaching during the elections.  They have pledged not only to support Pro-Life Democrats, but also to oppose any Pro-Life Republican who joined the unanimous vote against the health care bill.  Catholics United’s money and influence are hard to estimate, but the mere existence and activism of this type of organization presents another hurdle for Pro-Life Republicans, especially this coming November.

Catholic Church officials and organizations across the country are also facing off against Catholics United.  Denver Archbishop Charles Caput calls the organization a front group for the Democratic party and denounced their disservice to the Church.  The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said that Catholics United and the Democrats were wrong to support the health care bill because no legitimate social justice can occur when any amount of federal money is involved in abortion.  This is one more issue of contention in the long history of conflict, especially over Pro-Life Issues, between Catholics United and the U.S. Catholic Bishops.

With the November elections around the corner, Pro-Life advocates must review and study the voting records of candidates on the health care bill and all Pro-Life issues.  The Pro-Life movement must elect Pro-Life candidates at the state and national level.

Read more about Catholics United’s pledge to support Pro-Life Democrats:
 
Ertelt, Steven.  “Catholics United to Spend $500K for Pro-Life Democrats Backing Pro-Abortion HCR.”  LifeNews.  22 July 2010.  http://www.lifenews.com/nat6567.html

Smith, Peter J.  “Catholics United to Bail Out Key Dems that Supported Pro-Abort Health Care Reform.”  LifeSiteNews.  23 July 2010.  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jul/10072310.html