my most recent email from Catholics United

[shrike]

I'm on the email lists of Catholics United, Catholic Democrats, Catholics for Obama and Pax Christi, and so have a more hopeful view of the church than most people. (I've also begun to read Catholic News Service, which while undoubtedly slanted, still brings news from all over the world and is a good springboard to other sources, from which you might get a more unbiased point of view.)

Anyway, here's what they just sent me:

Dear XXXX,

In recent days, we have received numerous calls from Catholics who strongly oppose the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) but were confused and upset to learn that even though FOCA has not been reintroduced in the new Congress and will likely never come to a vote, the U.S. Catholic Bishops ran a resource-intensive nationwide parish postcard campaign against the bill (see Catholic News Service story at: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900402.htm).

Like all Catholic organizations, we stand firmly as allies with the bishops in our strong opposition to FOCA, and when and if the legislation were ever reintroduced, we would fight its passage. But almost all observers agree that FOCA is not going anywhere. In this time of increasing job layoffs, poverty, and food insecurity across America, we should instead be calling on Catholics to commit increased resources to helping children and families survive the collapsing economy, a crisis which could also lead to a sharp rise in abortion rates.

We can help lessen the effects of the downturn by fighting for a just economic stimulus package and state budgets that do not leave behind the "least among us," and by sharing more of our own resources in our local communities. To help focus attention on those most profoundly affected by the economic crisis, please contact your bishop's office and tell him:

You stand with him strongly against FOCA.
You are very concerned that the economic crisis and its impact on the poor and women will lead to an increase in abortions.
Therefore ask him to:

Commit additional resources to meet the needs of families most affected by the current economic crisis by calling on parishioners to increase their support to Catholic Charities or St. Vincent DePaul, diocesan-sponsored pregnancy support centers, or food banks.
Plan a parish advocacy campaign directed at federal and state officials urging them to protect state and national poverty reduction programs (food stamps, low income tax credits, foreclosure assistance, health care) in the federal and state budgets, programs which will be the first to go in this crisis.
You can find a link to your local diocese here: http://www.usccb.org/dioceses.shtml.

Sincerely,

Chris and James
The Catholics United Team

P.S. Call your senators too. Contact them today at 866-544-7573 and tell them to protect programs that assist struggling families and their children (food stamps, low income tax credits, foreclosure assistance, health care) in the Economic Recovery Plan.


So where on earth did this sudden surge against FOCA come from?

[DemBones DemBones]

1. Obama promised Planned Parenthood that

he would sign FOCA as one of his first acts as president.

[shrike]

2. It would need to get through Congress first

And if it's not going to be introduced, that's that. Speech or no speech.

I personally think the Bishops were played. It's Obama's first week in office, the opposition is gathering up steam, and this is a good hot-button issue.

[DemBones DemBones]

3. I'd guess the bishops thought it would get through Congress

and acted on that, knowing Obama had promised to sign it.

[shrike]

4. They should have done their homework

Seriously, they put up this big, well-publicized campaign, and if it all turns out to be for naught we look foolish.

Not to mention the ham-handed priests (my experience) at mass. Really put people off: I saw more than a few folks leaving after the homily.