Catholic Democrats Assert "Primacy of Conscience" Over Church Teaching

From Catholic World News:

Washington, Mar. 01 (CWNews.com) - A group of Catholic members of the US House of Representatives has issued a "Statement of Principles" in which they claim a "commitment to the basic principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching," but refuse to accept the Church's opposition to legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principles" was released on February 28, and signed by 55 of the 72 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives. The group professes its commitment to carrying out Catholic social teaching in many ways: "reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war."

The Democratic group goes on to acknowledge "the undesirability of abortion-- we do not celebrate its practice." But the statement says that although they recognize the Church's teaching authority the lawmakers "believe also in the primacy of conscience." Acknowledging the "tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas," the legislators leave it clear (if not explicitly stated) that they will not attempt to end legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principle" does not mention other controversial issues on which Democratic lawmakers have often clashed with Church teachings, such as euthanasia, embryonic research, and government recognition of same-sex unions.

The statement was issued from the office of Connecticut's Rep. Rosa DeLauro. [ED.: Rosa DeLauro was the first Executive Director of "EMILY’s List" - a PAC which operates as a donor network, supporting "pro-choice" Democrat women candidates. That's ALL you need to know about this POS statement!] The others signing the statement were:

Joe Baca
Xavier Becerra
Robert Brady
Michael Capuano
Dennis A. Cardoza
Wm. Lacy Clay
Jim Costa
Joseph Crowley
Peter A. DeFazio
William Delahunt
Rosa DeLauro
Mike Doyle
Anna Eshoo
Lane Evans
Charles A. Gonzalez
Raul M. Grijalva
Luis V. Gutierrez
Maurice Hinchey
Tim Holden
Patrick J. Kennedy
Dale E. Kildee
James R. Langevin
John B. Larson
Stephen Lynch
Edward J. Markey
Jim Marshall
Carolyn McCarthy
Betty McCollum
James P. McGovern
Cynthia McKinney
Marty Meehan
Michael H. Michaud
George Miller
James P. Moran
Grace Napolitano
Richard E. Neal
James L. Oberstar
David R. Obey
Frank Pallone
Bill Pascrell
Ed Pastor
Nancy Pelosi
Silvestre Reyes
Lucille Roybal-Allard
Tim Ryan
John T. Salazar
Linda T. Sanchez
Loretta Sanchez
Jose Serrano
Hilda L. Solis
Bart Stupak
Gene Taylor
Mike Thompson
Nydia Velazquez
Diane Watson

(emphasis and editorial commentary added)

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