Democrats' statement said to arise from politicians' frustration

Published: 2006-03-02

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A new "statement of principles" signed by a majority of the Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives arose from the politicians' frustration at "the way the church used the holy Eucharist as a political weapon against some elected officials" during the 2004 elections, according to one of the signers. The statement said the Catholic House members see their faith as a primary motivator for their political actions but are sometimes required by conscience or because of the religious diversity of the U.S. to disagree with the church "in some areas." Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., told Catholic News Service in a March 1 telephone interview that the statement was the product of "many, many meetings" among the House Democrats themselves and with others, including Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, who heads the U.S. bishops' Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Politicians. "We felt that we allowed a small minority to drive this issue," Stupak said. "We weren't speaking out." The Feb. 28 statement was signed by 55 of the 73 Catholic Democrats in the House.

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