Washington, D.C. (30 January 2009) – At a time when the Vatican is loudly proclaiming opposition to President Obama's pro-abortion policies, Catholics in the United States Senate overwhelmingly voted Jan. 28 to fund the abortion industry overseas. Despite this breach of Church teaching, U.S. Catholic bishops remain largely silent.
Eighteen out of 24 Catholic senators voted against an amendment that would reinstate the Mexico City Policy and ensure that no U.S. tax dollars fund abortions in other countries.
"The Vatican is clear; our bishops are not" said Michael Hichborn, spokesman for American Life League. "When will the bishops of these misguided Catholics publicly correct this grave scandal?"
The action comes days after the Vatican lashed out at President Obama for repealing the policy. Meanwhile, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Academy for Life, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that the repeal of the abortion-funding ban was done with "the arrogance of those who, having power, think they can decide between life and death."
In contrast to this clear opposition from Rome, Roman Catholic bishops of the United States have maintained silence and many refuse to enforce Canon 915 by withholding the Eucharist from pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians.
"Silence and inaction from the leaders of the Church can do more damage than the wrong acts of the politicians themselves," Hichborn said.
American Life League asks that those citizens whose senators are among the list of Catholic politicians voting against life (see list below), contact their bishop and ask that he enforce Canon 915, and proclaim the truth of Catholic teaching against the culture of death.
Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- One Nation Under God: Senate Defeats Two Pro-Life Amendments (30 January 2009) https://www.onenationundergod.org/htv_cath_pol_mexico_city_policy.html
- Inside Catholic: Does It Get Any More Pathetic Than This? (29 January 2009) http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Does-It-Get-Any-More-Pathetic-Than-This-.html&Itemid=127
- American Life League: ALL Praises Vatican Reproach of Obama Arrogance (26 January 2009) (Read)
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