Fidelis Head Resigns, Joins Fred Thompson Committee

I just received the following emailed press release from Fidelis:

Fidelis Head Joins Fred Thompson Committee

CHICAGO - Fidelis today announced that its President and co-founder Joseph Cella has taken a formal leave of absence to join the staff of Friends of Fred Thompson, a presidential testing the waters committee. Mr. Cella served as President of Fidelis since its founding in 2005.

Fidelis co-founder Brian Burch, who has directed the Fidelis Center for Law and Policy is now serving as the new President of Fidelis, Fidelis America PAC, and the Fidelis Media Fund, all formerly headed by Cella. The following is a statement from Brian Burch, newly appointed President of Fidelis:

"The Fidelis organizations are deeply grateful for the leadership and service of Joseph Cella over the past two plus years. Mr. Cella deserves enormous credit for his work in helping establish a truly authentic lay Catholic activist organization focused on the issues of life, faith, and family. His professional and personal talents played a major role in establishing Fidelis as one of the leading Catholic based advocacy groups in the nation."

"The decision by a leading prospective presidential candidate to hire a member of our organization attests to our growing influence and impact in the arena of public policy and law. While we will sorely miss the contributions of Mr. Cella, Fidelis has already added two new talented members to our team, and is well equipped to continue its role as a leading Catholic voice in the fights for life, faith, and family."

Joshua Mercer will re-join Fidelis as Communications Director. Mercer was the Washington Correspondent for the National Catholic Register from 2000-2004. His writing has been cited by The New Republic, The Drudge Report and earned him appearances on the Fox News Channel. In 2004, Mercer became the Political Director for the Ave Maria List, a Catholic PAC that contributed to Senator Tom Daschle's historic defeat. Mercer previously helped Cella and Burch in establishing Fidelis in 2005. Currently, Mercer is publisher of The Morning Star, a Michigan-based Catholic newspaper.

Fidelis is also pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Bruce Green as General Counsel of the Fidelis Center for Law and Policy. Mr. Green’s distinguished career includes his role as the founding dean of Liberty Law School. Previously, Mr. Green served as Chief Counsel of the Center for Law & Policy of the American Family Association, and as Chief Counsel and Founding Director of the Blackstone Fellowship program with the Alliance Defense Fund. The Green Law Firm based in Lufkin, Texas will assist Fidelis in its legal advocacy efforts.

Due to FEC regulations restricting collaboration between candidates and advocacy organizations, Mr. Cella formally resigned from Fidelis, and will not be affiliated or involved with Fidelis in any capacity.