Conservatives were stunned late last week by a statement from the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops attacking the state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization. The attack appears to be driven by a lobby team, rather than the bishops themselves, says a Catholic state representative who has been at the forefront of life issues.
In a letter written to Bishop Edward Burns of Dallas, State Rep. Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) describes the attack as being “purely politically motivated” and that it “misstates facts regarding Texas Right to Life’s advocacy in the legislature.”
Rinaldi writes that he assumes the “Parish Advisory” attack on Texas Right to Life “originated from the lay staff and lobbying team… rather than the bishops who would presumably extend a spirit of charity toward those with whom they disagree.
The TCCB advisory had nothing charitable to say about Texas Right to Life, which is known widely for standing as strongly for unborn children as for individuals facing end-of-life decisions.
Rinaldi writes that it was the “tireless efforts of Texas Right to Life” that a ban on dismemberment abortion was signed into law last year. Organizations praised by the TCCB advisory, Rinaldi notes, actually opposed the dismemberment ban.
“I do not believe that the clergy of TCCB would intentionally seek to harm the movement to protect innocent life in Texas,” states Rinaldi. “Accordingly, I can only speculate that the lay staff of the TCCB are relaying information relating to the political fight to protect life in Texas that simply does not reflect the reality of the situation.”
