Washington D.C., Nov 11, 2003 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The American Life League is calling on the U.S. bishops to weigh in on pro-abortion politicians in Congress this week while they are in Washington for their semi-annual meeting.

In a two-page ad released yesterday called "A Catholic Bishop's Guide to Washington", the league urges the bishops to address members of Congress who publicly claim to be Catholic but who consistently vote pro-abortion. Organizers want the bishops to make politicians understand clearly that they cannot be Catholic and support abortion.

"During their four days in D.C., the bishops have a unique opportunity to follow the example of Christ and the exhortation of the Holy Father by informing the 71 'Catholic' members of Congress that their support of legalized abortion removes them from communion with the Church," the ad says.

League president Judie Brown said that one of the greatest failures of the pro-life movement is “the reluctance of too many bishops to lead by example and take the needed actions to enforce the Church's teachings on the sanctity of all human life.

"Had more of the bishops done their job properly, we would have fewer pro-abortion Catholic senators such as Ted Kennedy and John Kerry," she said.

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