By BJ Austin, KERA Reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-775298.mp3
Dallas, TX – Some Dallas Catholics, angry about a letter read from the pulpit Sunday, took to the streets in protest. KERA's BJ Austin says they marched outside the Dallas Diocese with signs that said "Democrat does not equal heretic."
The letter read to Catholic congregations was from Bishops Kevin Farrell and Kevin Vann of the Dallas and Fort Worth Diocese. It noted that October is Respect Life Month, and advised the Faithful that it would be morally reprehensible to vote for a pro-choice candidate. Parishoner Liz Naughton is upset that the Bishop focused on the so-called intrinsic evil of abortion and ignored others, such as the death penalty.
Naughton: I just feel disturbed that he feels that he can tell me how to vote.
Protestor Phillip Archer says he was shocked when the letter from the Bishops was read during Mass.
Archer: I hope they would apologize to their flock, to their congregation. What was done on Sunday had nothing to do with God and everything to do with politics.
The letter stressed the need to clarify the Church's teaching on Faithful Citizenship. The Dallas Diocese says Bishop Kevin Farrell has agreed to meet with representatives of the protest group.