Pro-Obama Catholics plan ‘stop the vote’ at parishes

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Chris Korzen / Fr. Frank Pavone

Denver, Colo., Oct 31, 2008 / 06:26 pm (CNA).- Priests for Life is warning that James Salt and Chris Korzen from the pro-Obama organization Catholics United sent a blast email on Thursday offering instructions on how to prevent pro-life Catholics from distributing electoral guides near Catholic parishes around the country. Fr. Frank Pavone, director of Priests for Life, has also pointed out that the Catholics United plan could have negative legal consequences.

In a message sent from the email address parishprotection@catholics-united.org under the subject "Help Protect Catholic Churches from Political Manipulation," James Salt and Chris Korzen say that with less than a week to go until Election Day, things are getting ugly. “In a final act of desperation, the religious far right is calling on its activists to defy the U.S. Catholic Bishops' order to keep unapproved election materials from church property by doing a 'literature drop' at parishes across the country. The goal of this activity is to convince Catholics that it's immoral to vote for candidates who don't subscribe to the right's narrow agenda."

The email goes on to warn that last Monday, "the partisan group Priests for Life held a teleseminar to train some 3,300 activists nationwide on how to place divisive political literature on the windshield of every churchgoing Catholic's car this Saturday and Sunday."

Salt and Korsen then announce that Catholics United is "spearheading an effort to put the brakes on the religious right's plans in as many parishes as possible," and is asking followers to "call your pastor and encourage him to instruct the ushers to monitor the church parking lot during the worship service."

They also promise to provide "detailed information on how you can protect churches in your neighborhood."

"The extreme right will stop at nothing to distort church teaching for political gain. It's time to say that enough is enough. Catholics are tired of our faith being used as a political weapon," concludes the email of the pro-Obama organization.

On Friday, Fr. Frank Pavone, President of Priests for Life, emailed James Salt and Chris Korzen. "I don't know if you attempted to speak with me before sending this out, but we would welcome such an approach in the future," Fr. Pavone wrote.

"Please inform those to whom you communicate that they might also want to alert their pastors that a large number of people are ready to file lawsuits against any individual or institution who tries to intimidate or prevent citizens from fostering the electoral process or informing their fellow citizens about the candidates," the priest warned.

Fr. Pavone explained that while "Priests for Life" is not initiating any such activity, "many people have told us they are ready to do so depending on what happens this weekend."

"Pastors and dioceses –he added- want to avoid 'legal entanglements,' and the activity you recommend here will get them entangled far faster than mine will."

"Obviously, an email like the one you sent below would implicate you in such entanglements as well," Fr. Pavone said in reference to the group’s email.

Finally, Fr. Pavone thanked Korzen and Salt for the extra publicity, and asked them to "be sure to register for the November 5 teleseminar as well."

Speaking to CNA, Fr. Pavone said that he devoted a significant part of the homily he preached this Friday on EWTN to urge Catholics to get out and distribute literature in the parking lots of parishes. "I encouraged them to do so especially this weekend, which obviously will be decisive for the outcome of the elections," he told CNA.

CNA attempted to get reaction from Chris Korzen but was unable to before press time.

Comments: 20

Subscriber comments:

Published by: H.J. D"cruz
Karachi Pakistan 11/11/2008 01:43 AM EST

Obama 's next move may well be to make polygomy and sharia law legal to please the muslims who have an agenda to Islamise America since this is the fastest growing religion in America and the world. Their American dreams and aspirations will come true.

Published by: Barbara
Idaho 11/04/2008 11:28 AM EST

I wish Idaho's bishop would have joined with the other bishop's who publicly supported the pro life issue.

Published by: momforjesus
Rockford/MI/USA 11/04/2008 10:26 AM EST

The Declaration of Independence says, "all men are created equal,...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men."
The term inalienable rights (or unalienable rights) refers to a set of individual human rights that, by their nature cannot be taken away, violated, or transferred from one person to another.

ALL are created equal –including the unborn disabled, and the elderly. This right comes from our Creator, NOT the government.

Let us remember that God is God and we are not.

“A Nation that kills its own children is a nation without hope.”
– Pope John Paul II

Published by: Bob Terry
Brantford/Ont/Canada 11/03/2008 03:37 PM EST

These two represent "United Catholics" and they don't understand that we do not have "worship service"? We have The Mass. Why are you giving these phonies the time of day?

Published by: HOPE F.
VA/USA 11/03/2008 03:20 PM EST

I am happy to say that on leaving Mass on Sunday we found these leaflets and flyers on our cars in the parking lot! I am praying that they have some influence on the undecideds, and might even "wake Up" some of those "catholics" who are planning to vote for Obama!
We in the Richmond Diocese need Prayer, and we need a Good President - so let's pray for our country and for all voters to have good sense in casting their votes - for a Pro-Life, and Pro-USA candidate!!

Published by: Ron
Columbus 11/03/2008 08:57 AM EST

Is this the kind of suppression of free speech and Orwellian double-speak we can expect from an Obama administration? People like these tempt me to vote McCain!

Published by: peggy
Bethlehem PA US 11/03/2008 07:38 AM EST

I've had literature dropped on my windshield in the church parking lot for virtually every election - Congressional races, Senatorial races, Presidential races, even local races - all my life. No problem. There are literature drops in shopping mall parking lots - private property - is anybody suing to stop that?

Published by: Mary Ann Allore
Brooklyn MI. USA 11/02/2008 11:03 PM EST

Chris Korzen I think the USA is supposed to be a free country , but you seem to think differently. You appear to be anti- Catholic to me. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your decisions and stop stirring up trouble.

Published by: Eileen
naples, florida 11/02/2008 04:15 PM EST

A representative of Father Pavone's group was passing out literature at our Parish and he was intercepted by some "Church Lady" who asked in a very stern voice whether he had permission from the pastor. He replied he didn't but it was right to life information that she would probably agree with and to please read it. She was hell bent in not letting him distribute it. She was so uncharitable and not helpful to this man. She could have helped contact the Pastor but she was so bound and determined to show how all powerful she was. This is what I truly dispise about my Church. Now, this literature will not be available to the entire parish.

Published by: Ann Marie Rowe
North Carolina 11/02/2008 04:09 PM EST

The "eyes" of Korzen
tell it all.
Such anger...He just does not "Get It"
It's a battle: LIFE or Death!!

Published by: Patriot
USA 11/02/2008 12:55 PM EST

I hope "approved" voter guides point out that neither candidate will end abortion. One candidate calls for legalized abortion, while the other calls for a "return to the states," which amounts to a Dred Scott abortion case. Unfortunately, it appears that many want to convince Catholics to vote one way, rather than have all the facts.

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, Mn 11/02/2008 12:38 PM EST

Nothing is "narrow" about the struggle to save the human rights of the unborn. Catholics true to the teaching of our Church know that words like right, left, conservative and liberal are irrelevant and vapid verbal utterances.

You are on board, in communion with the Church, or you are not.

James Salt and Chris Korzen? You sirs are not on board, and may God have mercy on your souls.

Published by: Dave P
Acworth, Ga, USA 11/02/2008 10:54 AM EST

Jer. 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you." If GOD knew one man in the womb, who is man to dispute that he knows all in the womb. Who is man to decide the fate of the unborn?

Published by: Tom Blais
Hampden, ME 11/02/2008 09:13 AM EST

Many of the "pro-choice" proponents cannot understand how we can be a ONE ISSUE group of voters. What they fail to undrstand and need to know is that our forefathers who formed our way of government did so with the belief that we are endowed by our Creator with certain rights; LIFE, LIBERTY and the pursuit of HAPPINESS. The first of these is life. All others stem from this. If you cannot support LIFE, then to support the rest is hypocrisy.
We are blessed with the greatest country the world has ever seen. But, we have given it a moral cancer that will kill it if not cut out.

Published by: Margie of Sacramento
Carmichael, CA 11/02/2008 08:04 AM EST

"Let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but sustain the just, O searcher o heart and soul, O just God."
Psalm 7.10

Published by: TLewis
Hollister 11/01/2008 07:49 PM EST

It is funny how sometimes evil gets it wrong, especially in America. When gays and lesbians promote their lifestyle by doing parades in "Your Town USA" they usually get the opposite effect from the local town people. Most people respect freedom of speech, but hate it when someone crams it down their throat. The result is those gay and lesbian parades will not be tolerated the following year. James Salt and Chris Korzen from the Pro-Obama organization Catholics United sent a blast email on Thursday offering instructions on how to prevent pro-life Catholics from distributing electoral guides near Catholic parishes around the country. This political behavior is similar to the gay and lesbian parade scenario mentioned above; however, the likelihood of Catholics rejecting this forced event will more than likely backfire in the Pro-Obama organization face. I know I would be laughing my head off if this happened in my church.

Published by: Kevin
Austin/Texas 11/01/2008 02:54 PM EST

Folks please---if you need to vote for a Pro Death anti Life candidate then be consistent at least---leave the Catholic Church immediately and dont come back until you repent. No crying, no arguing, just stand up for your beliefs and go out beyond the wall until you are ready to participate in the Body of Christ not just feed off of it. GO. BE GONE.

Published by: Kevin
Austin/Texas 11/01/2008 02:22 PM EST

Very sad. The devil is the father of lies and for his minions to say Father Pavone and Pro-Life are 'distorting the Truth' is beyond insult. Just wish the sleeping 60% of Catholics would wake up along with half the liberal wing of US flock 'leaders'--this is Culture WAR and the forces of darkness ie. the pro death movement will stop at nothing to get their way. As we stand aside and do nothing Jesus weeps for us. They have lost their souls dont lose yours. Pray for peace in the womb, work for justice for all humans---and dont vote for anyone who approves of infanticide.

Published by: Mike Monohon
Royal Oak Michigan 11/01/2008 09:16 AM EST

It is so sad that some people’s views are inappropriately ex-Christian due to actively campaigning against the Catholic Church by using falsehoods. Perhaps there has been an injury suffered through the lack of knowledge. Then again it could be through the anti-catholic mentality of the culture of death which is the twisted mentality of promoting the degeneration of properly formed consciences into mal-formed ones. Why do lost souls need to take advantage of new technology to say to voters a 2000 year old plus institution doesn’t know what it is talking about? We suppose Seton Hall doesn’t know how to educate people? Catholics do not know the difference between simple right and wrong? Do lost souls not know they’re going against the fire of the Holy Spirit here? Electronic spreading of deceiving anti-Catholic material is truly an outright attack on our Catholic faith. Isn’t there enough Christians being persecuted around the world already? Or will the forces of evil not be satisfied until all Christians are dead? While our church continually tries to unify, the devil and his demons do exactly the opposite and attempt to deceive others to go the morally sinful route. No thank you friend. The complete Catholic NAB exists and is meant for people to read; may the Holy Spirit open lost souls eyes to see the in-between the lines message the Word of God conveys: unconditional love which includes but is not limited to a perfectly alive human fetus in all of their beautiful splendor.

Published by: Larry H Morton
Fort Worth, Texas 11/01/2008 01:35 AM EST

Any Catholic who would vote for a pro abortion candidate like Barack Obama is not pro-life and does not foster the protection of innocent life. That is fact and very sad indeed.

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