A Democrat for Life who really is

You know that Statement of Principles from 55 Catholic Democrats that was initiated by Connecticut congresswoman Rosa DeLauro who at one time was a member of Emily's List? The one where 35 of the signers voted in opposition to the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act? Well, for some reason which I cannot comprehend, Democrats for Life, an organization about which I favorably wrote in Our Sunday Visitor in May of 2004, has lent their support to the writers of that letter.

One person who is more than a little upset with Dems for Life over this is New York State Senator Ruben Diaz. Senator Diaz is a remarkable man. Besides being a senator representing the Bronx, he is also a Pentecostal minister. He is pro-life and, in the NY State Senate, has actually been the clearest voice defending the Catholic Church on the floor.

Senator Diaz is also a Democrat, one of those rare Democrats who do not compromise when it comes to life. So when Senator Diaz gets upset that Dems for Life is happy with the 55-Dem salute to Catholic principles, you know there's good reason to be upset. Here's a copy of the letter he wrote to Kristen Day, head of Democrats for Life:


March 7, 2006

Ms. Kristen Day
President
Democrats for Life
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
South Building – Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004
Sent by fax to 202/638-6957

Dear Ms. Day:

As a pro-life Democrat and elected official in one of the most liberal cities in the United States, I was shocked and dismayed to read your recent press release supporting a letter written by Rep. Rosa DeLauro and cosigned by mostly pro-abortion Democrats members of Congress. I found it to be deceptive and something I could never embrace.

Most of the letter’s signers support unrestricted abortion and have a total disregard for the grave moral disorder in our society. And to me it is obvious that no child could enjoy the programs and policies mentioned in this letter if he or she fell victim to abortion.

As a Board Member for Democrats for Life of New York, I cannot comprehend how you can officially share the goals of Representative DeLauro’s letter. Our goal, as pro-lifers, is to promote a culture of life. Their letter has been written to attack the President and promote a pro-abortion, liberal agenda, and its candidates, which includes the most of the signees. It has not been written to promote respect for the dignity of each human person at all stages of development. It has been signed by too many elected officials who choose to disregard some human life.

As a pro-life Democrat, I endure great pain, tribulation and agony by pro-abortion officials and political activists who refuse to promote the sacredness of all human life. Because of my Christian faith and its core beliefs – which include the need to respect all human life – I am the recipient of sharp and constant criticism. However, I am proud of my efforts and ask God to continue to give me the fortitude to continue.

I respectfully ask that you reconsider your support for this Congressional letter and its hidden agenda.

Fighting for a good educational system, good health services, job creation, affordable housing, and other important social services equally available to all human beings, are some of the reasons that I am a public servant, however, as I said before, an aborted baby will never be able to enjoy these services. Therefore, it is the duty and responsibility of every good Christian, good Catholic and any pro-lifer to defend the sanctity of life and not allow the sagacity of these signees to distance us from our goals.


Sincerely,

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz
32nd Senatorial District
1750 Westchester Avenue
The Bronx, New York 10472
Phone: 718/892-7513