BALTIMORE, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathers today, Catholics for Choice called on the bishops to engage in a serious examination of conscience as they reflect on their divisive political activities this year and the millions of dollars they spent trying to influence elections.  

"The bishops had a miserable return on investment of Catholic people's money and we demand an accounting of how they spent it campaigning on measures that Catholics clearly did not support," said Jon O'Brien, president of Catholics for Choice. "As the bishops meet today, they are going to have to face the reality of these failures and acknowledge that they cannot pour in enough money, even spending outside of their dioceses, to buy measures at the state level that allow for discrimination and blur the line between church and state. Each bishop at this meeting should carefully question if this failed attempt at politicking truly serves the social justice mission of the Catholic Church."

"This meeting is an opportunity for the bishops to realize the error of their ways and promise to go and politicize no more," said O'Brien. "We hope this reflection will lead to members of the USCCB ending their divisive campaigning and returning to their role as pastors."

Catholics don't share the bishops' political views, but unfortunately, the Catholic people paid the bills for the bishops' ill-fated political campaigns, with some bishops sending money to other dioceses to bankroll their fellow bishops' activities. Catholics across the country deserve an accounting of what the bishops have spent this year on politicking—in the election, on ballot measures, and in their efforts to avoid providing women with access to healthcare under the banner of so-called religious liberty.

Continue reading this press release on the Catholics for Choice website.

Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women's well-being and respect and affirm the capacity of women and men to make moral decisions about their lives.

SOURCE Catholics for Choice