Can We Stop Catholics For a Free Choice?

Dear Catholic Exchange:

P.S. Also, what can I and others in my position possibly do to put an end to this group, or do you even recommend trying?

Dear Mr. Brown,

Peace in Christ! I hope this response will adequately address your question.

Catholics For a Free Choice purports to be an organization of Catholics in good standing that legitimately disagrees with the Church’s teachings on abortion, contraception, and sexuality. They claim to be the voice of the vast majority of Catholics who, they say, believe in the absolute right of abortion. They maintain that they speak for millions of Catholics who want to promote “reproductive freedom” (i.e. free and unrestricted access to contraceptive and abortions). For more information on Catholics For a Free Choice, please see Catholics For a Free Choice website and Brian Clowes’ book, Catholics For A Free Choice — Exposed.

CFFC was founded in New York in 1973 by a small group of Catholic laity to protest the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion. It remained a small organization characterized by sporadic, visible actions until 1979 when Pat McMahon became president. She shifted the focus to education and was able to attain funding by grants and donations from pro-abortion groups. In 1980, Frances Kissling, the current president, took over. Since its creation, CFFC has lobbied actively for legalized abortion, widespread use of contraceptives, mandated federal funding for abortions, forcing Catholic institutions to fund and provide abortions and contraceptives, and population control programs in third world countries that include forced sterilization and abortions. One of their latest campaigns is an effort to downgrade the Vatican’s status at the United Nations. Again, for more information, please see the above links.

Catholics For a Free Choice (CFFC) is in no way supported or sanctioned by the Church. In 2000, the then President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Joseph A. Foirenza, restated the Bishops’ position on this organization saying:

As the Catholic Bishops of the United States have stated for many years, the use of the name Catholic as a platform for promoting the taking of innocent human life and ridiculing the Church is offensive not only to Catholics, but to all who expect honesty and forthrightness in public discourse. We state once again with the strongest emphasis: “Because of its opposition to the human rights of some of the most defenseless members of the human race, and because its purposes and activities deliberately contradict essential teachings of the Catholic faith,….Catholics for a Free Choice merits no recognition or support as a Catholic organization” (Administrative Committee, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1993 as reproduced by the NCCB in a 2001 statement about CFFC).

Since the CFFC’s creation in the 1970’s, the Catholic Church has spoken out against this organization and their audacity in calling themselves Catholic. The CFFC, however, continues to use the term Catholic to spread misinformation about the Church, promote pro-abortion legislation, and attack the Church’s positions on abortion, contraception, homosexuality, women in the priesthood, chastity education and the nature of sexuality in general under the guise of legitimate discussion. (See Catholics For A Free Choice — Exposed.)

Despite claiming to be pro-women, CFFC aids and abets the oppression of third-world women and families who are hurt by coercive population control programs that often involve the distribution of abortifacient contraceptives and forced or manipulated sterilization. By supporting contraception, CFFC also undermines the dignity of women in general, who are used as objects via contraception as Pope Paul VI prophetically predicted in his 1968 encyclical on marital love Humane Vitae (Of Human Life). (See Humane Vitae, no. 17.)

Although they claim to represent millions of Catholics throughout the world, they provide no evidence of such membership. Their funding does not come from individual members but from large organizations, including anti-Catholic groups. These organizations include the Turner Foundation (the foundation of notorious anti-Christian media personality Ted Turner) and Hugh Hefner’s Playboy foundation. Much of their funding is based on a desire by pro-abortion groups to be able to claim “Catholic” support for their agendas. (See Humane Vitae, no. 4 and 49.)

When Marjorie Reiley Maguire left her position as a board member of the organization, she said:

I now see CFFC’s agenda as the promotion of abortion, the defense of every abortion decision as a good, moral choice and the related agenda of persuading society to cast off any moral constraints about sexual behavior. I don’t think this is a Catholic or pro-woman agenda. (See Humane Vitae, no. 32-33. Also Quoting Ms. Maquire’s article in National Catholic Reporter.

She also remarked that leaders of CFFC, including herself, did not attend Mass and did not practice the Catholic faith in even the most casual way. She said that she did not consider them in anyway Catholic.

You also asked what faithful Catholics can do about groups like CFFC. There are many dissenting groups presenting themselves as Catholic. Faithful Catholics are legitimately concerned about such groups and their influence in parishes and communities.

Before Jesus set out on His public ministry, He removed Himself to the desert to be with His Father (cf. Lk. 4). Our efforts in the world must also start with a daily metanoia, a returning to God, with our whole being. The exterior sanctification of the world always begins with the interior sanctification of the individual. The first order of business, then, must be a renewal of our own commitment to the Lord and His Body, the Church. We must commit ourselves to daily prayer and the sacramental life of the Church if we are to effectively witness to the truth. All are called to holiness and must seek it earnestly. This immersion in the divine life involves the totality of our lives; it is not just going to Mass and praying, but living a life in union with Christ. We are called to be imitators of Christ whose holiness was revealed not only in what He said, but in the love He showed to all, in the obedience He willingly gave to the Father, and in His suffering for the sake of others. In our efforts to grow in holiness, therefore, we are called to show love for all, follow the will of God, and offer our own sacrifice and sufferings in union with those of Christ, for the constant renewal of His Church.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it” (Jn. 1:5). The most effective means of dispelling darkness is letting light shine. In the same way, the most effective action against error is the promotion of truth. In his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (1995), John Paul II urges the faithful to build up the “culture of life” in response to the growing “culture of death” that seems to prevail. By promoting respect for life in all stages in our parishes and communities, we build the “culture of life.” This not only removes the opportunity for groups like CFFC to enter, it also provides opportunities to promote the culture of life on a larger scale. Building the culture of life includes not only talking about respecting life but also acting to promote life. This involves educating the faithful, through preaching and catechesis, on the truths set out by the Catholic Church on respecting life. Counseling and support centers for pregnant women should be set up. Political activism can help to raise up good, pro-life legislators, judges, etc. that will work for to the legal protection of life from the moment of conception to natural death.

The third step is a more direct opposition. The primary means of this attack is vigilance. By working closely with our priests and bishops, we can try to prevent CFFC talks or conferences, particularly in a church setting. Informing parishes and communities about the nature and efforts of CFFC can also be effective in this effort. Encouraging local papers and news agencies not to cite CFFC as a legitimate Catholic group can lessen their influence and credibility. Again, political activism is an effective tool. By lobbying our political leaders, we can strive to make our voices heard in promoting pro-life legislation, thwarting CFFC’s efforts. This attack, however, should never involve violence; respect for life must apply to all persons.

I hope that this information is helpful. If you have further questions or comments, especially on promoting the culture of life in your area, please do not hesitate to call Information Services at 1-800-MY-FAITH. We offer this service to everyone entirely free of charge, and would appreciate any support, through prayers and donations, you could give us to help others.

United in Faith,

Amy Barragree

Information Specialist

Catholics United for the Faith

827 North Fourth Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)