Fidelis of Michigan Blasts Granholm Over Ads Placed in Catholic Newspapers

A member of Fidelis sent me this news release just now:

CHELSEA, MI - Fidelis of Michigan, the state affiliate of the national Catholic based advocacy group Fidelis, criticized Governor Jennifer Granholmand the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee over advertisements placed in three state Catholic newspapers promoting Granholm's re-election as Governor.

The advertisements appeared this week in The Catholic Times and The Catholic Weekly titled "Jennifer Granholm: Promoting the Common Good." The criticism comes less than a week after Granholm appeared at two pro-abortion rallies, and released a new television commercial promising to protect abortion on demand in Michigan. Fidelis of Michigan President Joseph Cella stated: "Governor Granholm has gone out of her way to publicize her tireless support for abortion, yet she has the audacity to portray herself as a friend to Catholics. These new ads are yet another slap in the face to faithful Catholics who believe, along with their Church, that protecting the right to life is a moral obligation for Catholic elected officials."

The controversial ads are published by the Catholic Times and the CatholicWeekly, authorized publications of the Dioceses of Lansing, Saginaw and Gaylord. The ads claim that Granholm seeks to "shape a good people and a just society" by raising the minimum wage, enacting a tax credit for 'working families,' and expanding the state prescription drug discount program. Noticeably absent are Granholm's support of abortion, including her veto of a law aimed at banning the heinous practice of partial birth abortion, as well as her support for expanding the number of abortion clinics in Michigan.

Cella said, "Catholics across Michigan are extremely disappointed to see these ads appear in Catholic publications. The messages are misleading because they ignore Granholm's very public commitment to protect abortion. Ironically, on the campaign trail Granholm boasts of the picture of Mother Teresa in her office and the St. Thomas More medal worn around her neck. Mother Teresa called abortion the 'greatest destroyer of peace' while St. Thomas More was beheaded for his faithfulness to the Church."

"The ad claims that Granholm is promoting the common good when in fact she fails the basic test for Catholics. A recent statement issued by Saginaw Bishop Robert J. Carlson spoke directly to this issue when he stated: 'When a politician says, I am personally opposed to abortion but don't want to impose my beliefs or says something like: You can't legislate morality, he or she fails the common good,'" Cella stated.

I posted my comments on these offensive ads yesterday right here.