Washington D.C., Jan 17, 2007 / 10:55 am (CNA).- A national pro-life leader has announced that he has thrown his support behind Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

In a letter to his own supporters, Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, said he intends to serve on the Advisory Committee of Brownback’s potential campaign for president.  

Senator Brownback has not officially announced his candidacy, but has formed an exploratory committee.

The priest said he is making this endorsement in his personal capacity, and not in the name of any of the organizations he leads.

He said Brownback has his “unequivocal support.” He described the senator as “a hero for the unborn and one of the strongest and most consistent supporters of pro-life policies” since Brownback was elected to Congress in 1994.

In a letter to “fellow conservatives”, Brownback described himself as “the only tried-and-true social conservative seeking the Republican Party's nomination.”

“Social issues first and foremost … drive my passion,” he said, referring to marriage, family, and pro-life issues.

06:34 pm | Post office rate hike on mailings critical of homosexuals in the military overruled

10:13 pm | Caritas official says Chile is slowly moving forward after recent earthquake

07:09 pm | Pro-life leaders: Senate bill bans conscientious exemption, allows billions for abortion

05:58 pm | Peruvian cardinal criticizes health minister’s decision to allow morning-after pill

05:29 pm | Nancy Pelosi prays to St. Joseph to pass health care

Catholic candidate looks at presidential run in 2008