As part of that crusade, 12 pro-life Catholic college students are walking from Maine to Washington, spreading "the simple, non-negotiable truth of the Catholic faith: you can't be pro-abortion and Catholic," the American Life League said in a press release.
The walkers left Augusta, Maine on Sunday, and they plan to finish their walk in Washington on July 29. Along the way, they will "educate the Catholic faithful and challenge recalcitrant Catholics to return to full Communion with the Church," said ALL President Judie Brown.
The 12 students will speak at Catholic churches, pray at abortion clinics and visit the offices of pro-abortion politicians who call themselves Catholic, ALL said.
Depending on which state they're in, the marchers also will carry posters listing that state's Catholic politicians who hold pro-abortion views.
ALL said the walkers will encourage the bishops in northeastern states to enforce Canon 915, which says the Church may deny Holy Communion to people who "obstinately persist in manifest grave sin."
"We are very proud of our Crusade's latest effort," said Brown. "Over the past 16 months, the Crusade has been the catalyst behind the debate over pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians receiving Holy Communion," she added.
Joseph M. Starrs, the director of American Life League's "Crusade for the Defense of our Catholic Church," noted that for 31 years, pro-abortion Catholic politicians have "shown contempt for the fundamental teachings of their proclaimed faith by openly promoting, endorsing, defending and voting for abortion-on-demand."
"This needs to be addressed," Starrs said.
The American Life League launched its Crusade for the Defense of our Catholic Church in January 2003, and since then, it has conducted numerous national ad campaigns; organized protests, and urged Catholics across the country "to act on this grave matter." The Summer Crusade for Life is the latest chapter in its ongoing effort.
The American Life League has previously asked Catholic Church leaders to bar Sen. John F. Kerry from receiving Holy Communion, given his support for abortion rights.
Kerry, the presumed Democratic presidential candidate, is among the 12 U.S. senators whom the American Life League has identified as "The Deadly Dozen." ALL accuses the 12 politicians of "fraudulently claiming the Catholic faith."
See Earlier Stories:
Pro-Life Group Criticizes Kerry for Receiving Holy Communion (24 Mar. 2004)
Pro-Abortion Catholic Senators Named 'Deadly Dozen' (22 Jan. 2004)
