Partisan Pro-Lifers

I can argue day and night about the partisan identification of the pro-life movement with the Republican party, how it is harming the culture of life, how it is a smokescreen for policies that go against Catholic social teaching, and how it ultimately does a great dis-service to the unborn — but no line of argument can come close to the emotional impact of this post by Tim Shipe. This is the real deal — a pro-life Democrat who ran for office on a platform of protecting the unborn, and also proposing something no politician seems willing to touch, regulating the activities of fertility clinics. His Republican opponent was pro-life in name (he had no accomplishments on this front, and was disinclined to talk about the issue) and further from Catholic teaching across the board than Mr. Shipe. And yet, Mr. Shipe was not only ignored by the pro-life movement, he was treated with derision and disdain. Some openly told him they only supported Republicans. Another was annoyed by his position on immigration — a position totally aligned with the bishops! This is the best evidence I have seem yet that it really is giant smokescreen. Many of these “pro-lifers” are exploiting the unborn for political reasons. And that is deeply sinful.