Catholic Democrats seek room to differ with church stances: Rejecting a one-issue agenda
Reviving a religious issue from the last presidential election, a coalition of 55 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives acknowledged the “moral leadership” of the Catholic Church but said they will remain “in disagreement with the church” on some issues, including abortion rights.
The “statement of principles” recalls the 2004 elections in which some Catholic politicians—especially Democratic senator John Kerry—were at odds with church leaders in their support of abortion rights.