Catholics for a Free Choice 3223411 225425971 2008-07-13T17:05:04Z Rjwilmsi 203434 no 'of' between a month and a year per [[Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style_%28dates_and_numbers%29#Longer_periods|MOS]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] '''Catholics for a Free Choice''' (CFFC) is a pro-choice political organization whose founders hold the belief that "the Catholic tradition supports a woman's moral and legal right to follow her conscience in matters of sexuality and reproductive health."<ref>http://www.faithandfeminism.org/links.php?PHPSESSID=b0feced0a59ba2c5136d55 Faith and Feminism]</ref> It is currently led by President Jon O'Brien. ==History== '''Catholics for a Free Choice''' (CFFC) was founded in by Joan Harriman, Patricia Fogarty McQuillan, and Meta Mulcahy, to promote access to abortion in the context of Catholic tradition. Its first president was [[Joseph O'Rourke (ex-priest)|Joseph O'Rourke]], who was expelled from the [[Jesuits]] and the [[priest]]hood in 1974. The group emerged from Catholics for the Elimination of All Restrictive Abortion & Contraceptive Laws, a New York lobby group that had been formed in [[1970]]. The first public event held by the organization was the mock crowning of Patricia Fogarty McQuillan as "Pope Patricia" on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York to celebrate the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade.<ref name=CCFC2> {{cite web|title=A Guide to Election 2004 by the CFFC|work=Catholics in Political Life|url=http://www.catholicvote.net/issues/additional_resources/2004bishops_history.htm|accessdate=March 03|accessyear=2006}}</ref> Mr. O’Rourke remained as president of CFFC until 1979,<ref name=CCFC2/> when Pat McMahon was hired as Executive Director. McMahon shifted CFFC's legal status from a lobby to an educational association, opening the group up to tax-exempt status and to foundation support. One result of this was a $75,000 grant on behalf of the [[Sunnen Foundation]] which funded the group's first publications, the ''Abortion in Good Faith'' series. In 1980 [[Frances Kissling]] joined the group, and in 1982 she was made president. Kissling led CFFC until announcing her retirement in February 2007.[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/news/pr/2.20.07FKDeparture.asp] CFFC's former Vice-President and Director of Communications Jon O'Brien was subsequently appointed as the organization's new President. ==Mission== CFFC has stated that its purpose is to infuse the organization's perspective into "public policy, community life, and Catholic social thinking and teaching." Its current mission statement is that the organization "shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women's well being and respect and affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make sound decisions about their lives."<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/about/ourwork/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - About Our Work<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The organization's stated issues include: *Keeping [[abortion]] legal<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/abortion/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Expanding access to contraception<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/contraception/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Expanding the range of services provided by the Catholic healthcare system<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/healthcare/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *A frank exploration of human sexuality<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/sexuality/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Awareness of HIV & AIDS issues<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/hivaids/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - HIV & AIDS<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Exploring diversity of views within the Catholic tradition<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/reform/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> *Challenging public policy initiatives by "conservative religious groups"<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/topics/politics/default.asp Catholics for a Free Choice - Topics/Issues<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In addition, CFFC engages in the following activities: *Expanding the role of women in the Church{{Fact|date=February 2007}} *supporting the idea of married clergy{{Fact|date=February 2007}} *Removing the [[Holy See]] from its permanent observer status at the [[U.N]]{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Although Catholics for a Free Choice has several goals, it is most well-known for its [[pro-choice]] advocacy. ==Condom program== In 2001, CFFC initiated a worldwide public education campaign called Condoms4Life<ref>[http://www.condoms4life.org Condoms4life.org Web Site<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> to raise awareness about the Church's teaching prohibiting the use of artificial birth control, including condoms. In 2005, a group called World Youth Day for All attended the Catholic [[World Youth Day]] in [[Cologne, Germany]] and endorsed the campaign. They passed out postcards and stickers saying "Good Catholics Use Condoms". <ref>[http://www.condoms4life.org/news/2005/cwydinitialrelease080905.htm Condoms4Life.org : Good Catholics Use Condoms - Good Shepherd Awards<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Posters from the group at this event also portrayed two men in an intimate embrace. Some critics claim this portrayal of homosexuality in the context of expressing sexuality (which the Catholic Church opposes) was offensive to Catholics.<ref>[http://www.scripturecatholic.com/homosexuality.html Scripture Catholic - HOMOSEXUALITY<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to critics, CFFC also ignores the Catholic Church's teaching on abstinence.<ref>[http://www.epigee.org/guide/catholicism.html Family Planning and Religion: The Roman Catholic Church's Views on Sex<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The organization maintains that condom use will prevent the spread of AIDS, since couples will have sex despite Vatican prohibition.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1683801,00.html Reformers Turn Up Heat on Church]</ref> Several bishops share the beliefs of Condoms4Life,<ref>[http://www.aegis.com/news/ads/1996/AD960271.html French Bishop Supports Some Use of Condoms to Prevent AIDS]</ref><ref>[http://www.religiousconsultation.org/newsletters/January_2002/South%20African%20Bishop%20Supports%20Condoms%20to%20Prevent%20AIDS.htm One South African Bishop Supports Condoms To Prevent AIDS]</ref> and have come out in support of condom use, arguing the Roman Catholic church's official position on this issue is unconscionable.<ref>[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,1564,1683801,00.html Reformers Turn Up Heat on Church]</ref> ==Pope-Watch== After Benedict XVI was elected, Catholics for a Free Choice initiated a project called Pope-Watch.org.<ref name=popewatch>{{cite web|title=Pope-Watch.org|work=About the First 100 Days Campaign|url=http://pope-watch.org/|accessdate=December 13|accessyear=2005}}</ref> Among the demands made to [[Pope Benedict XVI]] by the project are: *a reversal of Church teaching regarding [[contraception]], claiming that their use promotes the Catholic doctrine of the "[[culture of life]]" *the allocation of 25% of senior positions in the Vatican to women (see [[affirmative action]]) *optional celibacy for [[priest]]s and religious *integration of already-married priests *meeting with survivors of [[Roman Catholic sex abuse cases|clergy sex abuse]] *promotion of "intellectual and theological freedom throughout the church" *clarification of the rights of Catholics to receive the [[Eucharist]] *[[Mass|celebration of the Eucharist]] with those whom the church has "hurt." According to CFFC, this includes members of the clergy who have married, all victims of clergy sexual abuse, dissenting theologians and people living with HIV/AIDS.<ref name=popewatch /> ===Response to criticisms from Pope-Watch=== *The Church maintains its official teaching against artificial contraceptives.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/family/documents/rc_pc_family_doc_20031201_family-values-safe-sex-trujillo_en.html FAMILY VALUES VERSUS SAFE SEX A Reflection by His Eminence, ALFONSO CARDINAL LÓPEZ TRUJILLO President, Pontifical Council for the Family December 1, 2003]</ref> *The Church also continues to allow some Protestant clergy that have converted to be ordained, though many of them are already married, due to a dispensation granted by the Pope. However, celibacy is maintained for the vast majority of priests, who do not fall under this extraordinary condition. <ref>[http://anglicanuse.org/EdwardPentin.htm Major Anglican Group Prepares for Full Communion With Rome]</ref><ref>[http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_01011993_revel_en.html The Relevance of Priestly Celibacy Today<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>Eastern Catholic priests can also be married and are in full communion with Rome. ==Criticism of CFFC== The [[USCCB]] has made the statement that "CFFC is not a Catholic organization, does not speak for the Catholic Church, and in fact promotes positions contrary to the teaching of the Church as articulated by the Holy See and the NCCB."<ref>[http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2000/00-123.htm U.S. Catholic Bishops - Office of Communications<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> It has been described by the Catholic League as an "anti-Catholic front group"<ref>[http://www.catholicleague.org/catalyst.php?year=2007&month=April&read=2214 Catholic League: For Religious and Civil Rights<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In response, the CFFC maintains that Roman Catholicism is an individual choice<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/new/pressrelease/051200FKResponseToBishops.htm]{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref> and that the CFFC is an advocacy group of pro-choice Roman Catholics, not a sanctioned Catholic organization. This emphasis on the individual and the individual conscience is a basis of CFFC's organizational mission.<ref>[http://www.cath4choice.org/new/opeds/100101IndividualConscience.htm]{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref> CFFC provides arguments they claim are based in theology, such as the [[Jesuit]] branch of [[casuistry]] known as [[probabilism]], to advance the organization's ideas. However, some Catholic critics argue that CFFC is directly opposed to Catholic hierarchy teaching.<ref>[http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/new/pressrelease/051200FKResponseToBishops.htm]{{Dead link|date=March 2008}}</ref> These critics respond to CFFC by stating that the organization's theological arguments directly contradict the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion.<ref>[http://www.priestsforlife.org/pressreleases/05-07-20kissling.htm Fr. Frank Pavone to Francis Kissling: Being Catholic is not a game<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> This teaching is described in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.<ref> [http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7Z.HTM "2270-2275"]</ref> Against its conservative opponents, it should be noted that Catholics for a Free Choice does criticise the US Catholic hierarchy on other issues than its stance against abortion. These include past hierarchy concealment of clergy [[paedophilia]] against male and female lay Catholics. It argues that the hierarchy should not necessarily be seen as infallible when it comes to Catholic doctrine and pastoral practice, and has expressed concern for academic freedom within Catholic universities and institutions of higher education. These are seen as alternative sources of theological opinion and authority relative to the hierarchy. One anti-abortionist, Diane Dew, has pointed out on her website that through the 1970s, the majority of the organization's budget came from a New York foundation related to a Long Island Unitarian Universalist church, and that the organization first operated out of office space donated by Planned Parenthood. Dew claims that CFFC is funded by groups that "oppose" the Catholic Church, such as the Playboy Foundation, and other groups supporting population control.<ref>[http://dianedew.com/CFFC.htm Who Are 'Catholics for a Free Choice'?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In response, it should be noted that Catholics for a Free Choice has been a long-time member of the interfaith [[Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice]], which includes liberal mainline Protestants and Jews, as well as humanist organisations. It is committed to [[ecumenical]] and [[interfaith]] co-operation with other religious pro-choice organisations. Bishop [[Fabian Bruskewitz]] of Lincoln, Nebraska issued an interdict in March 1996 forbidding Catholics within his diocese from membership in twelve organizations, operating locally, where membership is described as ''"...always perilous to the Catholic Faith and most often is totally incompatible..."'', in a letter of formal canonical warning published in the diocesan newspaper, the Southern Nebraska Register. Catholics for a Free Choice was the last of the twelve named organizations. Members of the diocese were given one month from the date of the interdict to remove themselves from participation in the named organizations or face automatic excommunication.<ref>[http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.cfm?recnum=2863 Catholic Culture : Missing Page Redirect<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, to this date, no other American bishop has made such a similar declaration, clarifying these issues. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/ Catholics for a Free Choice] * [http://www.condoms4life.org/ Condoms for Life] * [http://www.catholicsforchoice.org/conscience/default.asp ''Conscience'' magazine] * [http://usccb.org/comm/archives/2000/00-123.shtml USCCB Press Office statement on the CFFC]. [[Category:Pro-choice organizations]] [[Category:Pro-choice religious organizations]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1973]] [[pl:Catholics for Choice]] [[pt:Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir]]