This is amazing. It took the Catholic Church a long time to finally admit the Earth revolved around the sun. Maybe in another hundred years after the temperature of the earth has risen ten degrees causing famine, drought, war and untold suffering, they will finally realize that there are more important things to think about than abortion.

Sent by Tim | 11:53 AM ET | 11-15-2007

If Catholics based their support for a political party solely on the basis of Catholic teaching, neither Democrats nor Republicans could earn their votes--Democrats for their widespread support for a woman's right to choose regarding reproduction and their own bodies--and Republicans for their support for an illegal war in Iraq as well as widespread support for capital punichment. Obviously, the bishops should heed Jefferson's 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and quite simply stay out of politics.

Sent by Patricia Harvey | 12:13 PM ET | 11-15-2007

These would be the same people who protect priests who defile our children? And have the gall to refer to supporting a woman's right to decide a 'scandal?' Please.

Sent by blauschwein | 12:50 PM ET | 11-15-2007

The bishops should remember that pro-life issues aren't defined simply by the abortion debate. The last time I checked, they weren't pointing out the politicians who are pro-death penalty as failures. As long as the Catholic Church aligns itself with pro-death/anti-choice Republicans, this Catholic Democrat will listen to their missives, but will consider other factors as well.

Sent by liz | 1:21 PM ET | 11-15-2007

To be fair, Democrats and Republicans are all the same. And issues like abortion and gay marriage, and immigration are just distractions to keep us from working on the big important issues like war and death and infinity.

All politicians are the same, lizard people from space!

Sent by Jody Sol | 1:22 PM ET | 11-15-2007

When the Catholic church begins to address capital punishment and war as wrong, I will be able to take them more seriously. How can they make the support of a small number of cells more important than the killing of people who are loved, and who have relationships with others. Even Pope John Paul II came out against the war, but not the American bishops. I have no respect for these inconsistent values.

Sent by Bonnie Patrick | 1:33 PM ET | 11-15-2007

I was raised in Catholic schools and started questioning the church when I was 12 yrs old for their stand on birth control. The Catholic church has committed more crimes against humanity than anyone, from the days of the inquisition to the present silence about war in Iraq. Catholic Bishops should stay out of politics, clean up their own house, and admit that neither party represents their complete stand on all issues.

Sent by Mary T. James | 2:26 PM ET | 11-15-2007

Sent by Jody Sol: All politicians are the same, lizard people from space!

Thank you. That made my day. And most voters are lizard food.

Anyway, I went into the Guttmacher Institute abortion statistics to see, year by year, how many abortions have been reported in the United States since 1973.

According to the nifty and easy to read graph, the peak year was 1990, at little more than 1.6 million abortions that year. That'd be during George Bush the elder's term.

There was a decline to a bit under 1.3 million during the Clinton years. That number has remained the same through the George the Junior years: 2003 to 2006 the numbers estimated 1,287,000 annually.

All this political talk about abortion looks like a bunch of talk. Like most everything else the lizard people talk about while eating lizard food voters.

fred call

PS...I wonder when the evil spinmakers start spinning internet stories about Hillary having had an abortion when she was in college? It's bound to happen, ya know.

I'm not saying Hillary did have an abortion, I'm saying to get ready for Hillary's Swift Boat issue.

Sent by fred call | 2:29 PM ET | 11-15-2007

The demon 'Greed' captured the Catholic Church a long time ago. Bearing false witness has become so easy for them lately. I suppose, when you're wallowing in 'sin', you will do anything to keep the spotlight pointing somewhere else.

Sent by Cybershaman | 3:29 PM ET | 11-15-2007

Mary James- you said it so beautifully. Catholic Church has committed so many crimes and continues to do so. Alot of priests are perverts, child molesters, and parasites that live on the back of insecure fearful people.
As long as there people like that- we will have many O'gradys who will continue to abuse our kids and be proud of what they have done.

Sent by Maniakos Mitsos | 3:54 PM ET | 11-15-2007

So, has all this political fighting about abortion stopped abortions in America? According to the bureaucracy: Yes and No and It's really, really hard to tell what's going on in the abortion arena.

Far as Roe v. Wade goes on election day, it's an emotional issue. The voters don't look at the facts whether all this talk stops abortion. According to the "Reported" abortions, not all that much change in the past ten years. But there is the "Unreported"abortions, the bureaucracy where no man or woman dares to go.

So, I went looking for statistical facts on abortion and the laws governing reporting abortions, or not reporting abortions. Here are highlights of unreported abortions:

"..nationally valid data are available from only two sources: the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI) ... The collection of health and vital statistics in a country as vast and decentralized as the United States is a massive undertaking, fraught with problems of definition, compilation and verification.

What are unreported abortions?

You got no one law governing the fifty states and District of Columbia. For example: "Five states and the District of Columbia collect abortion data on a voluntary basis ... As a result, some states began to collect induced abortion data separately, while others continued to record the events as fetal deaths ... there remains considerable variability among state laws, policies, forms and systems, and this variability inevitably affects CDC's ability to determine accurately even the total number of abortions performed each year."

And, then, finally the kicker in the abortion debate, for as far as abortion statistics are accumulated: "The abortion rate in the U.S. is lower than in the rest of the world. About 5% of the world's population live in America and are responsible for about 3% of the abortions. The abortion rate (number of abortions per 1,000 women of childbearing age -- 15 to 44) is 23 for the U.S. but 35 for the world."

At least that's as much as the records can tell us. Which is not the whole story. Not by a mile. Maybe it's a case of what we don't know can't hurt us?

Fred call

Sent by fred call | 8:35 PM ET | 11-15-2007

It is likely that time is what will decide the abortion issue in terms of its legality or illegality. Ironically the reason is that pro-choicers have fewer children than pro-lifers. With each successsive generation the percentage of pro-life people is increasing. We can already see it happening in just 30 years since Roe v Wade - statistically the number of people who describe themselves as pro-life has increased, the number of people who describe themselves as pro-choice has decreased. In another generation the pro-life side will have a clear majority. This is an issue that will eventually "solve itself"

Sent by Mary | 8:53 PM ET | 11-16-2007

What happened to the separation of church and state? I can't believe the same guys who have hidden, denied, and protected pedophiles have the nerve to tell us how to vote. And abortion is not the only issue in the "seamless garment" of pro life. But it's the only one they care about.

Sent by Mary McGlaughlin | 11:05 PM ET | 11-16-2007

The Democratic party has shown it's contempt and at times hatred for the Catholic voters for years. Why should Catholics vote for a party that marginalizes them and holds their most important views in absolute contempt.

Sent by D. Welch | 11:35 PM ET | 11-16-2007

I am a Democrat and a Catholic, and proud of both. I offer some Kudos to the Church for taking a controversial stand, but I agree that energy is better spent opposing unjust wars and fighting poverty, both of which the Church is also doing. Everybody likes to take a stab at the church, forgetting that they also do quite a lot of good in the world, and some of the greatest atrocities of the past century were perpretated by atheists (Hitler, Stalin, Mao). Evil people rise up in all schools of thought, Catholocism included.

Sent by Chris Rowland | 3:30 AM ET | 11-17-2007

Catholics, as well as any Christian or Jew, should recognize the position the Bishops are taking as teaching the law of God. Since science has shown a heartbeat of the unborn starts at 18 days from conception, surely it's common sense this is a human being forming in the womb. To think removing this body with a beating heart (the unbron child) prematurely is not killing, then people have rationalized away one of God's laws, "thou shalt not kill."

Catholic Bishops have the obligation to teach God's law to their Church members. Pastors in Protestant communities and rabbis in synogogues have the same obligation. Bishops, pastors, and rabbis are the teaching leadership, the shepherds of their flocks. While some have not grasped the consequences surrounding their support of candidates who advocate against the human rights of the unborn, it should be made clear what are the outcomes.

Snide comments about or attacks on the Catholic Church are red herrings to the real issue: God has laws. His laws are higher than those of any government. People make choices about whether to obey God's laws or not and consequences come with the choices. To avoid negative consequences, people should not kill or support those who believe killing the unborn is just a choice the mother has.

Sent by Mary Diane Valentine, Ph.D. | 9:01 AM ET | 11-17-2007

As a Catholic, I find this sort of myopia on the part of the church heartbreaking. War in Iraq rages on and the bishops (or at least their press coverage) are silent. Republicans unashamedly ignore children, the poor and the most vulnerable in our society. And the bishops are silent. If the bishops want to wade into politics, great. But bring the full range of Catholic teachings and theology to bear on the most pressing issues of the day. Let's hear forceful stands on the hundreds of thousands of deaths resulting form the Iraq war, and on providing health insurance for children. THEN I will be happy to listen more carefully. To put it plainly, a continued fixation on abortion to the exclusion of other difficult issues makes them look intellectually and theologically lazy.

Sent by Joe Hogan | 11:52 AM ET | 11-17-2007

The Catholic Bishops should be free to both take and then advocate faith-based political positions. But once they do so, they should forfeit their tax-free status as they are simply acting like any other business seeking to protect a market, albeit with "eternal damnation" as unique leverage.

Sent by james hutchin | 2:24 PM ET | 11-17-2007

Just go to confession the next day! Problem solved! Vote your consience!

Sent by zolimer | 8:04 PM ET | 11-17-2007

Tim,
I find your comment on abortion ridiculous. The Church's teaching on abortion is ethically reasonable. Catholics believe that a child is human from the very first moment, and I personally agree with them. The cell that is formed has all the DNA of a human, and has an indivual human characteristics. If it was to be scientifically classified it would be "homo sapiens" that is exactly what you and I would be classified as. To kill this zygote is then to kill a child, therefore murder. We, (myself as a woman) should not have the right to kill. We should NEVER have the right to violate a human right, such as the right to life.
And I don't think it is fair to critisize any religion, group or organiseation because of the actions of some them. Some have acted criminally and disgracefully but that does not mean the whole religion is bad

Sent by Rebecca Elias | 8:14 PM ET | 11-17-2007

The ignorance displayed in the comments here is outstanding.

The War in Iraq may be a tragedy, and death penalty antiquated in today's world, but neither kills well over one million innocents each year. The Catholic Church remains one of the few international organizations who are willing to speak out on this matter. Whatever crimes certain members of the church may have committed does not render the good the church does and the truths it communicates invalid.

The bishops are not only perfectly within their rights, but also fulfilling their responsibilities, by reminding their flock of their obligation to vote according to faith and reason. That 4,000 unborn children in the U.S. alone are butchered each day with full approval of the law is a small or no issue is illogic of the highest degree.

The true hypocrites and criminals in this situation are the impostor "pro-choice" Catholic politicians who allow this slaughter to proceed while wearing the convenient "Catholic" tag.

Sent by Jacob G. Norlund | 4:47 AM ET | 11-18-2007

First, Hitler was not an Atheist, he was a Catholic. In fact, in one of his speeches, he was quoted as saying, "..by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord". Isn't it amusing you can see the gears of church-based revisionism at work? Admittedly, with all that science has provided us the church has had to do SOMETHING in order to not lose their mentally ill congregation so, they revise their stance on the whole sun revolving around the earth thing -- or, wait, Hitler must be an Atheist, or Intelligent Design; basically an admission of evolution only with a predictable christian twist.

The Church exists solely as an instrument of control for the mentally ill and yes, Joe Hogan, let's all go ahead and bring the Catholic teachings and theology to bear on the crises plaguing us today -- so that we may ensure and nourish the same war for another 1,000 years. Amazing how the Catholic Church has no real resemblence to the teachings of the Bible.

As is now and throughout history, our progress is hampered by the "absolute certainty" that faith provides; you can convince yourself of anything it appears and a more powerful drug we've not yet devised.

Sent by Matthew T | 10:41 AM ET | 11-18-2007

To the US bishops, please stay out of politics or give up your tax-exempt status.
It is a crime that your church and other churches pay no taxes, and yet doctors who offer real help to our lives pay taxes. You take the tithes that the poor can ill afford and yet give nothing in return but false hopes and empty promises of an ugly god.

Over 100 years ago Robert G. Ingersoll eloquently slayed the idea that the christian god was a good god with this observation on one of the bibles commandments:

If I had lived in Palestine at that time, and my wife, the mother of my children, had said to me, "I am tired of Jehovah, he is always asking for blood; he is never weary of killing; he is always telling of his might and strength; always telling what he has done for the Jews, always asking for sacrifices; for doves and lambs -- blood, nothing but blood. -- Let us worship the sun. Jehovah is too revengeful, too malignant, too exacting. Let us worship the sun. The sun has clothed the world in beauty; it has covered the earth with flowers; by its divine light I first saw your face, and my beautiful babe." -- If I had obeyed the command of God, I would have killed her. My hand would have been first upon her, and after that the hands of all the people, and she would have been stoned with stones until she died. For my part, I would never kill my wife, even if commanded so to do by the real God of this universe.

And I agree with Mr. Ingersoll. Such a god is not fit to be worship nor should the legislature listen to those who claim to be his representatives here on Earth.

Sent by Forrest Erickson | 12:18 AM ET | 11-19-2007

Matthew, the Catholic Church doesn't support Intelligent Design as a scientific theory. Geez, get your facts straight.

Sent by Becca | 9:36 AM ET | 11-19-2007

As a life long Catholic and Democrat I find the Bishops comments reinforcing their total disconnect with the Laity.

Living sheltered a sheltered life, not having to worry about raising kids in an insane world and not worrying about where the $ will come for the necessities of life let alone college fundind. Come on GUYS, get real.

Sent by rob fiedler | 10:16 AM ET | 11-19-2007

Rebecca,
You obviously did not read my comment. I made no judgment on the morality of abortion. I simply stated that it is not the most important issue facing our nation or our world and so, therefore, should not be the primary factor when choosing a candidate. I would like to add that preserving the sanctity of human life involves many more issues than aborting fetuses. It also involves issues of war, genocide, preserving the natural environment upon which all life depends, insuring access to health care, and alleviating poverty among others. To base one's choice of vote on the abortion issue alone is short sighted and potentially destructive to all human life in our country and the world. One need look no further than the current resident of the White House for proof of that.

Sent by Tim | 10:57 AM ET | 11-19-2007

I actually took the time to look at the Bishops' voter guide (http://www.usccb.org/bishops/FCStatement.pdf) and found that it has been grossly distorted over the course of this article and subsequent discussion. Of course Catholics are encouraged to oppose abortion, but plenty of other issues are discussed as well: "Catholic teaching about the dignity of life calls us to oppose torture, unjust war, and the use of the death penalty; to prevent genocide and attacks against noncombatants; to oppose racism; and to overcome poverty and suffering" (par. 45). While voters are told that they may choose to oppose a candidate simply based upon their abortion stance because of the gravity of that particular issue, they are not told that they must do so, and they are encouraged to take other issues into account as well. I'm not a Catholic, nor am I a Republican; I simply think the Bishops have been given an unfair hearing. Open-minded people would do better to actually read what their opponent has said before attacking that opponent's position.

Sent by Josh | 6:25 PM ET | 04-09-2008