Catholic Leaders Call On Gingrich And Santorum To ‘Stop Perpetuating Ugly Racial Stereotypes’ About

[pampango]

Poverty

Faith in Public Life reports that more than 40 Catholic leaders and theologians across the country are calling on two of their “fellow Catholics,” GOP contenders Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, to stop using divisive rhetoric about race and poverty on the campaign trail.

Noting that Catholics consider racism an “intrinsic evil,” the open letter confronts the two candidates about their comments singling out minorities who receive welfare:

As Catholic leaders who recognize that the moral scandals of racism and poverty remain a blemish on the American soul, we challenge our fellow Catholics Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum to stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes on the campaign trail. [...]

Labeling our nation’s first African-American president with a title that evokes the past myth of “welfare queens” and inflaming other racist caricatures is irresponsible, immoral and unworthy of political leaders.

Some presidential candidates now courting “values voters” seem to have forgotten that defending human life and dignity does not stop with protecting the unborn. We remind Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Santorum that Catholic bishops describe racism as an “intrinsic evil” and consistently defend vital government programs such as food stamps and unemployment benefits that help struggling Americans.

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/01/20/408144/catholic-leaders-call-on-gingrich-and-santorum-to-stop-perpetuating-ugly-racial-stereotypes-about-poverty/

[LanternWaste]

1. That's very heartening to read. n/t

That's very heartening to read.

[Mz Pip]

4. I forwarded this

to my conservative Republican Catholic cousin. I am curious as to how he will respond. He is always forwarding me crap he gets from his friends that originates on sites like Newsmax and World Nut Daily. Fortunately he gets that most of it is BS, but he still votes Republican. Go figure. Force of habit I guess.

[onehandle]

2. Gingrich And Santorum resemble no Catholic I know.

The Swinger is Catholic to line his pockets and Frothy is a Fundamentalist.

[Angry Dragon]

3. Why did they stop there

what about gays, lesbians, non-believers, women

[bullwinkle428]

5. The "historian" will lecture them about who's the REAL Catholic!

[duhneece]

6. Now if they deny communion to racists the way they did to prochoice candidates...nt

[baldguy]

7. If they didn't have ugly racial stereotypes, they'd have nothing to talk about.