‘Catholics United’ to raise funds for congressman praised by NARAL

Catholics United, a politically liberal advocacy group, has announced that it will raise $500,000 to support the candidacies of four Catholic congressmen who, over the objections of the nation’s bishops, supported health reform legislation passed in March.

While three of the representatives have generally voted pro-life, one-- Rep. Tom Perriello of Virginia-- was described as “pro-choice” in a profile during the 2008 election campaign. Since his 2008 election, NARAL Pro-Choice America has praised his votes on Medicaid funding of abortion in the District of Columbia and Title X funding of Planned Parenthood, even as the congressman has eschewed the “pro-choice” label.

Catholics United should not be confused with Catholics United for the Faith, an apostolate founded in 1968 to support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.