Catholic House Democrats Stand Up for their Religious Beliefs

As a person who was raised as a Catholic in a tradition that valued thinking for yourself and helping those that were persecuted, nothing bothered me more in the 2004 presidential elections than how religion was used to influence voters in their decision. 'Moral' positions seemed to be defined by extreme evangelical or ultra conservative religious thinkers, with little voice from more liberal and tolerant religious leaders. Kerry's presidential chances were undermined repeatedly by attacks from 'moral' authorities who disagreed with him on the issues of abortion and gay rights. They all but assassinated Kerry's character, because they disagreed with him, while spoke little of the differences their religious teachings had with the Bush Administration or Republican ideology. It is hypocritical, wrong and dangerous to mix religion and politics by associating yourself with one party and vilifying the other.

House Democrats are finally sick of it too. -IFK Editor

The House's Catholic Democrats Detail Role Religion Plays

Still reeling from the attacks on Sen. John F. Kerry's brand of Roman Catholicism during the 2004 presidential race, 55 House Democrats issued a joint statement yesterday on the central role that the Catholic faith plays in their public lives.

The signers said they were fed up with being labeled "good Catholics" or "bad Catholics" based on one issue -- abortion. They said their religion infuses their positions on many issues: poverty, war, health care and education.

"Some of us are pro-choice and some of us are pro-life," said Rep. William J. Pascrell Jr. (D-N.J.). "But we respect each other and we're going to defend each other, because we're all operating in good conscience."

The statement stressed that all of the Catholic Democrats share the goal of reducing the incidence of abortion.

"We envision a world in which every child belongs to a loving family and agree with the Catholic Church about the value of human life and the undesirability of abortion -- we do not celebrate its practice," the statement said. "Each of us is committed to reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and creating an environment with policies that encourage pregnancies to be carried to term."

The statement also said that though the Catholic Democrats "seek the Church's guidance and assistance," they "accept the tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas."

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-Conn.) said the Catholic Democrats "have decided to stop letting others define us."