Catholic Outreach [to Republicans]

Catholic Exchange ^ | 9-04-04 | by Craig E. Richardson

[Salvation]

by Craig E. Richardson

Catholic Outreach

09/04/04

			While most of the prime-time speakers at the Republican National Convention focused on key issues like protecting America from terrorism, an important subplot this week was the Republicans' efforts to solidify support of faithful Catholics whose primordial concerns in this election are the protection of life and marriage.

The “Catholic” vote is arguably the most important voting bloc to both presidential campaigns, and it’s a constituency that the Republican National Committee (RNC) actively courted in New York.

The pinnacle of Catholic-oriented events at the Convention was the RNC’s Catholic Outreach Rally held Thursday at the Westin Hotel in Times Square. The rally’s focus was to encourage Catholic delegates and political activists in attendance to return home to continue efforts to register new voters and to implement strategies to identify and turn out local parishioners on election day.

The rally featured an impressive group of committed Catholic clergy, elected officials, administration personnel, and politicos who spoke to a packed ballroom. The emcee was Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-time pro-life stalwart, and the invocation was given by His Excellency Rene H. Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas. Father Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life, gave the benediction, and Martin Gillespie, who is director of the RNC’s Catholic outreach efforts, provided welcoming remarks. The keynote was Catholic RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie.

Other scheduled speakers included Jim Towey, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Congressman Mark Green (R-WI); Governor Mike Johanns (R-NE); Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH); Congresswoman Melissa Hart (R-PA); Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN); Matt Schlapp, White House political director; and Virginia State Senator Ken Cuccinelli.

While the presenters had differing styles and backgrounds, one message was universal: devout Catholics not only have the right to participate in the public square, but their faith demands it.

In a letter distributed to participants, Chairman Gillespie noted that we “are blessed to have received such strong support for the president’s commitment to traditional values, moral clarity and unflinching principle. But more needs to be done!” He added that the “hard work of Catholics around the nation will be essential to our success in November, and there’s no better way to get involved than through the RNC’s Catholic Outreach.”

State Senator Cuccinelli, a pro-life, pro-family Republican from a moderate northern Virginia district, pointed out that he won his close races because of the “Church people” who he organized through an incredibly effective parish-by-parish grassroots effort. He said that “Church people” was not his term but his first opponent’s, who bitterly complained that Cuccinelli’s strength lay in the fact that he had “all those Church people,” supporting him.

Cuccinelli also noted that the presidential race for Catholics boils down to two issues: life and protecting traditional marriage, and it's critical that we get our “Church people” to vote. Cuccinelli added that Senator John Kerry’s position that life begins at conception despite still voting in favor of abortion is “monstrous” because he is basically admitting that while an unborn child is human he supports the taking of that life.

Bishop Gracida, before giving the closing benediction, recounted the story of the Arian heresy that nearly ripped the Church apart in the 4th century. It was a widespread heresy, he pointed out, that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ and was ultimately beaten back by an unrelenting pope and a strong bishop, St. Athanasius, who could not have done it without the unwavering support of the faithful.

Bishop Gracida drew a parallel between the Arian heresy and the current era, when we are facing a similar heresy, although instead of denying Christ’s divinity, we are denying man’s humanity because we don’t respect human life. He said we have a strong pope in John Paul II and an unwavering cardinal in Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, both of whom have written unequivocally about the need to protect human life. He warned that it will once again require an extraordinary effort from the laity to defeat this heresy, and added that many bishops and priests do not have the fortitude to confront the errors of our time so it’s up to the people to light a fire under them.

In addition to remarks by the speakers, the RNC also distributed an extensive and detailed report, John Kerry: Catholic Issues Overview. Despite his professed Catholicism, the well-researched document based on actual votes and newspaper articles clearly illustrates that Kerry doesn’t appear to support any issue of significance to the Magisterium.

As the report points out, his pro-abortion record is atrocious, having received a 0% rating from the National Right to Life Committee in the last three terms of Congress and a 7% rating for the 105th Congress. In addition, he joined three other Massachusetts Federal office-holders in 1995 who publicly stated said they would ignore Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae that warned legislators of their moral accountability if they support abortion.

Kerry has also called on the Catholic Church not to be a barrier to birth control world-wide according to a 1994 Boston Globe article, and in 2003 he called for support of “population control efforts around the world” at the NARAL Pro-Choice America dinner.

In terms of the critically important issue of judicial nominees, Kerry has said that he will only support nominees who pledge to uphold Roe v. Wade. A 2003 Boston Globe article stated, “The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledges that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision.” He has also vowed to filibuster any pro-life Supreme Court nominee.

Regarding euthanasia, Kerry strikes a similar stance to his untenable abortion position. He said in 1999 that he “personally opposes” euthanasia, but “medical professionals” should “work with patients to make decisions” about drugs, according to the Boston Globe. In terms of human cloning, in 1998 he voted to stop debate on the Human Cloning Prohibition Act, signaling his opposition to the measure, and also said last January in the Chronicle of Higher Education that he supports so-called “therapeutic” cloning.

In terms of traditional marriage, not surprisingly it’s difficult to pin Kerry down. He missed the Federal Marriage Amendment cloture vote in July, and was only one of 14 senators to vote against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Last November in the wake of the horrendous Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s decision mandating “homosexual marriage,” Kerry said he opposed gay marriage according to a Kerry press release, but at the same time called on the Massachusetts Legislature to “ensure equal protection for gay couples.”

In terms of other issues of importance to Catholics, Kerry has voted repeatedly against marriage penalty relief, expanding child tax credits, and expanding adoption tax credits. He has also opposed school choice and said specifically last November in Iowa that as president, he would veto “vouchers or voucher-like programs.”

Given his record on issues that are foundational to devout Catholics, it’s not surprising he believes that religion should not be raised as a political strategy, which he said on CNBC’s Capital Report. After reviewing Kerry’s record on Catholic issues, it’s also not surprising that the Republicans are counting on Catholics who regularly attend Mass to deliver the election to President Bush.

With both conventions now over and Labor Day upon us, the campaign for president enters the home stretch and will probably be one of the ugliest in history. The homilist at the Sunday Mass preceding the Convention kickoff said that this particular presidential campaign is so nasty because it’s not about taxes or health-care; it is a spiritual battle — a notion that Catholic Republicans who gathered in New York this week instinctually understood. It is a battle that will ultimately determine whether America shares the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah or whether she listens to Jonah’s warning and repents like Nineveh.

St. Thomas More, pray for us.



Craig Richardson is the founder of the recently launched Catholic Action Network, an organization committed to calling Catholics to authentic and faithful citizenship particularly on issues of life and family.

[Salvation]

Any comments on the Republicans reaching out to Catholics??

[Salvation]

** Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), a long-time pro-life stalwart, and the invocation was given by His Excellency Rene H. Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas. Father Frank Pavone, head of Priests for Life, gave the benediction, and Martin Gillespie, who is director of the RNC’s Catholic outreach efforts, provided welcoming remarks. The keynote was Catholic RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie.

Other scheduled speakers included Jim Towey, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Congressman Mark Green (R-WI); Governor Mike Johanns (R-NE); Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH); Congresswoman Melissa Hart (R-PA); Congressman Mark Kennedy (R-MN); Matt Schlapp, White House political director; and Virginia State Senator Ken Cuccinelli.**

Some names to re-elect and/or support!

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

[Smartass]

THANKS FOR THE PING

A child is a gift, not a choice

[sneakers]

My parish will have tables set up after all masses during the next two weekends with voter registration forms. We cannot, of course, endorse any candidates, but we can encourage people to vote. Our priest has emphasized the Catholic stance on the Life Issues and the Family. After the rousing standing ovation our (packed) parish gave our new bishop several months ago (after a VERY strong homily about our church's belief about abortion), I have no doubt we'll see many votes for President Bush!

[OriginalChristian]

I would love being part of it.
i have no idea what FReepmail is?
Are you referring to a private post?

[dsc]

"Any comments on the Republicans reaching out to Catholics??"

Darn shame that they have to. Catholics should be supporting the Stupid Party against the Evil Party as the best chance to bring wholesale baby-killing to a stop.

How a Catholic can support baby-killers is beyond me.

[patent]

>>>>>"Any comments on the Republicans reaching out to Catholics??"

>>Darn shame that they have to.

It's about voter registration. Catholics may agree with them 100% on the core issues, but if they don't go to the polls, it won't matter. Much of the GOP reaching out this year is in voter registration at the Churches, where possible. If you can do it, help them out. Set up a voter registration event at your church.

This is really where elections are won and lost.

patent

[dsc]

I think all the people at the Church I used to attend would vote for Kerry if they registered, so I'll just let that sleeping dog lie.

[sitetest]

Dear patent,

You're precisely right. Overall, Catholics who regularly attend Mass voted nearly 60% for Mr. Bush in 2000, and appear to be ready to do so again.

That means, if you're registering Catholics AFTER MASS, for every five you register, Mr. Bush is likely to get three votes.

I like them odds.


sitetest

[Arguss]

When this elction is over, John Kerry will probably never see the inside of a Church again. Let's make sure he is not forced to keep going to Church by putting on a show as President.

Most Catholics I have spoken to seem to realise he has to be beaten.

[Coleus]

I was there at the Westin Hotel after the freeper breakfast, Sean Hannity was a no show at the hotel.

The sheet they gave out is very informative, Kerry voted against marriage penalty relief 22 times, child tax credit 18 times, adoption tax credit 7 times, stated that he would vote against any restrictions to abortion, DOMA, and is for: population control, taxpayer funded abortions, international family plannining, partial birth abortion, cloning, euthanasia,

..The “Catholic” vote is arguably the most important voting bloc to both presidential campaigns..

and is probably the largest voting block.

[Coleus]

http://www.catholicTeamLeader.com

[Salvation]

We too will be having a Ministry Fair next weekend, September 11 and 12th (Dates picked by our deceased priest.) We get our new priest on Wed. September 8th so this will afford him an opportunity to get acquainted.

We will have Voter Registration at the "Respect Life" table. Every church should be doing this right now.

[Salvation]

**Set up a voter registration event at your church.

This is really where elections are won and lost.**

On the mark as always!

[Salvation]

**I'll just let that sleeping dog lie.**

Where is the backbone of your spirit? Challenge them like you challenge people here! (I know -- at least here you know we have some brains......LOL!)

[Salvation]

**That means, if you're registering Catholics AFTER MASS, for every five you register, Mr. Bush is likely to get three votes.**

Even if he would get only one or two of those votes -- that would be a great average!

[Salvation]

The facts here are staggering. Wish this could get out into some kind of advertisement against Kerry.

[Coleus]

I'm surprised there is no .pdf link so that we could print it and send it around via e mail.

[Clemenza]

Religious Catholics could make the difference in Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Outside of those states, they aren't much of a factor. But those three are VERY IMPORTANT this year.

[Salvation]

Email this article/link

At the top of the article.

[Salvation]

Who knows the Catholics could even put New York and Massachusetss in Bush's column too!

[Clemenza]

Don't hold your breath. New York "Catholics" (I know them well) are either CINOs or politically ignorant. My "Catholic" parents are both pro choice (though dad votes Republican because he hates lefties for other reasons). Only a small minority of the population of New York are practicing Catholics and they are not enough to overcome the other demographics in the state.

We need to get out the religioys Catholic vote in places like Scranton, Pittsburgh, Stevens Point, suburban Milwaukee and Macomb County to win the aforementioned swings states for Bush. GWB shouldn't put a dime in NY, Mass or Rhode Island.

[old and tired]

We will have Voter Registration at the "Respect Life" table. Every church should be doing this right now.

The Bush campaign is banking heavily on Mass going Catholics. I'll tell you the truth - we're afraid to have a voter registration drive because we're afraid that, at best, it will be a wash. The tremendous number of involved (Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, etc.) supporting pro-abortion Ed Rendell for governor has really frightened us.

Still, the Catholic outreach person from the Bush campaign thinks it's a good idea. We'll probably do it, since they're the pros and have probably done/read studies that it will be favorable to them, and really it's a pretty easy thing to do.

[old and tired]

New York "Catholics" (I know them well) are either CINOs or politically ignorant.

I think there are some old FDR Dems who have awakened thanks to Fox News, and Neil Cavuto specifically. Just about every senior I know watches Neil Cavuto and Lou Dobbs to keep on top of the retirement portfolios. Neil is a socially conservative Catholic who's not ashamed of it. I know a couple of people who are more politically and socially aware than they've ever been. I also know a few seniors who are voting Republican this election, thanks to Fox News.

[old and tired]

I think all the people at the Church I used to attend would vote for Kerry if they registered, so I'll just let that sleeping dog lie.

I understand your fear. But I think we will be doing the voter registration at our parish. Like a man in our Respect Life group said, "They're the experts." I'll let you know how many R's, D's and I's we get. I figure an R voter is a guaranteed vote for Bush and a Dem voter is a guarantee for Kerry. It's the Indies we have to win over.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

Good. Getting converts one at a time.

[Salvation]

This is wonderful news coming from the senior section of our society. By and large I think they vote Republican -- but there are a lot like my 91 year old father (God bless him) who thinks that only Democrats are good and all Republicans are bad.

Can't quite figure him out since he is past Grand KC and an avid supporter of pro-life issues. (He always gives me a bad time about the euthenasia dr. in Oregon -- LOL!)

[Salvation]

**really it's a pretty easy thing to do.**

Really is.

Put it in the spoken announcements.
Put it in the bulletin.
Have voter registration forms available in the vestibule.
(People need not be present at that spot!)

[Clemenza]

The FDR Democrats are largely dead and are disappearing as a political force. New York will NOT go for Bush, unless its a landslide.

Ironically, the Republicans that "Catholic" New Yorkers seem to get the most excited about are Giusolinni and Pataki and both are pro-abort.

[old and tired]

Another real easy thing to do is put in a petition for the Prayer of the Faithful. I've got a list of five at home that will be going in to many area parishes - one each week before the election. Right now I'm down the shore but will post them as soon as I get back.

In my case, and I suspect this is the case in many other parishes as well, putting in the petition is as easy as handing it to the Church Secretary.

[Salvation]

**Another real easy thing to do is put in a petition for the Prayer of the Faithful.**

Write it out on a piece of paper and hand it to the Church Secretary.

[SweetCaroline]

BUMP

[wagglebee]

I fail to see how a Catholic or an other Christian can remain true to their faith and vote for Kerry.

[Salvation]

Agree with you here!