WASHINGTON (January 16, 2001) -- As tens of thousands of Americans make their way to the nation's capital to mark Roe vs. Wade's 28th year of contempt for the most innocent and vulnerable among us, abortion advocates are launching a form of "pro-abortion McCarthyism" to disqualify nominees for public office based on their pro-life convictions, according to Cathy Cleaver, director of planning and information for the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"While pro-life advocates are warned not to make opposition to abortion a 'litmus test' for assessing appointments for public office, abortion advocates employ their own pro-abortion standard with impunity," Ms. Cleaver said. "When did a belief in the inalienable right to life become grounds for denying people the opportunity to serve their country? In effect, pro-life nominees for public service are being put on trial for their beliefs--trials whose tactics resemble those usually described as 'McCarthyism.'

"Efforts to deny highly qualified and accomplished individuals a chance to serve their country based solely on a commitment to the sanctity of human life are offensive to the American sense of fair play and achievement based on merit," Ms. Cleaver continued. "To turn disagreement with Roe vs. Wade into disqualification for public office is to demean all pro-life individuals, at whatever level, who have served their country well in the past and who will continue to do so in the future, despite such efforts by abortion advocates. Such tactics also insult the millions of Americans who, sharing those pro-life beliefs, will mourn the loss of life wrought by the legalization of abortion this January 22nd."

For further information, or to speak with Ms. Cleaver, please call 202-541-3070.

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