Durbin Latest Pol to Face Church Scrutiny

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE, April 2 — Echoing many Catholic Democrats, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a Catholic, says his job is to represent his constituents — even if that means he goes against Church teaching.

Durbin recently voted against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which Congress passed anyway, because he feared it would open the abortion debate, the paper reported. Durbin is a pro-abortion supporter.

The senator lamented the recent actions of bishops — some calling for Catholic politicians who vote against Church teachings to refrain from Communion — to warn Catholic politicians of their duty as Catholics.

“It is tough to run for public office and face an opponent … then face the criticism from colleagues, voters, the press and defend yourself,” Durbin said. “Now add to that equation for a Catholic politician … one last stop. The local bishop will announce whether your vote is appropriate and whether or not you're in good standing with the Church as a result of that vote.”

Hispanic Voters More Diverse Than Thought, Poll Finds

KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS, April 4 — A surprising number of Hispanics claim to be “pro-choice,” born-again Christians who support the death penalty, according to a recent poll commissioned by the Miami Herald and Zogby International.

Hispanics overwhelmingly support the death penalty, prayer in schools and privatized Social Security, the poll found. About half also said they were “pro-choice.”

Hispanic voters are also well educated, well paid and politically moderate, the poll showed. Of those polled, 67% made more than $35,000 a year, 75% had at least some college credits and 64% described themselves as moderate to conservative. Only 30% described themselves as liberal or progressive.

The poll questioned 1,000 likely Hispanic voters at the end of March. Fifty-eight percent were Mexican-American, 10% were Puerto Rican and 3.4% were Cuban-American.

Most Hispanics also would put their families before their careers, the poll found. When asked if they would move them away from their family and community, 60% said they would turn down the offer, the number climbing to 74% if the promotion would cause them to be away from immediate family for extended periods of time.

Vatican Warns of Scandal Regarding Kerry

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH (London), April 4 — Bishops and priests in America have been concerned with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for some time. Now it appears the Vatican is growing increasingly concerned with him as well.

“People in Rome are becoming more and more aware that there's a problem with John Kerry and a potential scandal with his apparent profession of his Catholic faith and some of his stances, particularly abortion,” a senior Vatican official told Time magazine.

A team has been assembled at presumptive presidential nominee Kerry's headquarters to form a “Catholic response” to Vatican concerns, the London newspaper reported.

While campaigning in Missouri on March 28, the paper noted, Kerry “preferred to miss a Catholic service rather than risk a confrontation with the formidable Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis.” The archbishop had publicly warned Kerry not to receive Communion in Missouri unless he ended his support of abortion.