Washington, DC (TCA) 18 October 2007 - The Catholic Association today took issue with the political campaign of the liberal interest group Catholics United - a campaign which included radio ads targeted at ten Members of Congress chosen by the group because of "their pro-life voting records." The political campaign against these Members challenges their pro-life records because of their opposition to expanding federal spending on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). "This is a frightening example of "defining-down" what it means to be pro-life," declared Michael Hernon, president of The Catholic Association. "Equating support for new federal spending levels on health insurance with the principled opposition to the taking of innocent human life distorts Catholic teaching and undermines the pro-life cause. We cannot assume this was unintentional." "By listing in their campaign material The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities USA, and the Catholic Health Association, Catholics United is also fraudulently using these organizations' Catholic credibility to validate their own deceptive campaign," Hernon added. Hernon went on to state that though "The Catholic Association does not take a position on this legislation, the issue of providing for the poor is, of course, of fundamental concern and should unite all Catholics - all the more reason that discussion and debate on these issues not be polluted with sleazy campaign tactics." ### | 
