Washington D.C. (15 October 2008) The Roman Catholic bishops of Dallas and Forth Worth have joined a growing chorus of Catholic bishops who are unapologetic in affirming Catholics' duty to vote for pro-life candidates.
"These brave bishops should be a light to every other bishop in the country," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League. "They have risked chastisement from pro-abortionists including allegedly Catholic people in their care. They have stood as Christ did in defense of truth regardless of the cost."
Bishop Kevin Farrell of the Diocese of Dallas and Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth issued a joint statement Oct. 8 that was read in churches all across Northern Texas. The letter stated in part:
"There are no 'truly grave moral' or 'proportionate' reasons, singularly or combined that could outweigh the millions of innocent human lives that are directly killed by abortion each year."
Further:
"To vote for a candidate who supports the intrinsic evil of abortion or 'abortion rights' when there is a morally acceptable alternative would be to cooperate in the evil – and, therefore, morally impermissible."
The pastoral letter has received backlash locally and from across the country. Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued a statement saying the letter violated federal tax law, while even some Catholics in the two dioceses walked out in protest when the letter was read during Mass.
"Our staff and supporters are heartened by the recent statement of Bishops Farrell and Vann," said Brown. "These bishops are courageously leading their flock and heralding the truth – voting for a pro-abortion candidate is a morally evil act. They are living proof of Christ's words to His disciples in the Gospel of John: 'If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.'"
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 media inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
- Offices of the Bishops of Dallas and Fort Worth: (8 October 2008) http://www.cathdal.org/img/Flash/EngFarrellVann.pdf
- Dallas News: Some Catholics Irked by Bishop's Abortion Letter (13 October 2008) http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/10/some-dallasfort-worth-catholic.html
- Americans United for Separation of Church and State: Texas Side Step (14 October 2008) http://blog.au.org/2008/10/14/texas-side-step-bishops-letter-attacking-prochoice-candidates-attempts-to-sashay-past-federal-tax-law/
- CBS 11 TV: Voting Guidelines for Catholics Causes Controversy (13 October 2008) http://cbs11tv.com/local/catholic.voting.guideline.2.839687.html
