Sixteen of twenty five Catholic senators vote to fund overseas abortion

Washington D.C., Sep 18, 2007 / 10:50 am MT (CNA).-

President George W. Bush has promised to veto an amendment that overturned the Mexico City Policy.

Last Thursday, 16 of the 25 Catholics in the U. S. Senate voted to overturn the "Mexico City Policy" and allow funding to overseas health clinics providing abortions. The amendment passed by a margin of 53-41.

One of the 16 was Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA), who defeated Sen. Rick Santorum as a pro-life candidate.

“It's doubtful whether Casey, son of the legendary pro-life Pennsylvania governor Bob Casey, will ever be able to convince voters of his pro-life label again,” writes Deal Hudson in his Sept. 17 edition of The Window.

Lifesitenews.com has reported that Casey declared himself opposed to public funding of abortion in the Voter Guide before the 2006 elections.  He also indicated during the 2006 campaign that he "supports legal protection for human life from conception."

“This is sad news for the Democratic Party and the Church,” continues Hudson. “Bob Casey, Jr. had the opportunity to be the Catholic pro-life leader in a political party that desperately needs one.”

Hudson notes that Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia and chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, urged the Senators to preserve both the Mexico City and Kemp-Kasten policies and vote against the amendment.

The U.S. Catholic bishops expressed disappointment at the passage of the bill, for which 16 Catholic Senators voted in favor.

They include: Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT). Ted Kennedy (D-MA), John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Christopher Dodd (CT-D), Claire McCaskill (D-MO).