Catholics for Choice

Overview

Catholics for Choice (CFC) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for legal access to abortion and reproductive rights, aligning its stance with dissent from the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The organization was founded in 1973 as "Catholics for a Free Choice" and changed its name to Catholics for Choice in 2007. CFC asserts that the Catholic tradition supports a woman's moral and legal right to make choices about her reproductive health, contrary to the official teachings of the Catholic Church.

History

CFC was established during a pivotal moment in U.S. history, just months after the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide. The founders, Joan Harriman, Patricia Fogarty McQuillan, and Meta Mulcahy, were members of a local chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and aimed to ensure that pro-choice Catholic voices were heard amid concerns that the Catholic Church might lead an anti-abortion movement.

In the 1970s and 1980s, CFC gained attention for its advocacy efforts, including public statements challenging Church teachings on abortion. Notably, a 1984 advertisement in The New York Times signed by Catholic priests and nuns sparked Church disciplinary actions against the signatories.

Activities and Campaigns

CFC is involved in various campaigns and activities focused on reproductive rights:

• Abortion in Good Faith: This campaign advocates for federal funding of abortion in the U.S., emphasizing that such support aligns with Catholic social justice values.

• See Change: Launched in 2000, this initiative seeks to pressure the United Nations to revoke the Holy See's Permanent Observer status, arguing that the Holy See's stance on reproductive issues obstructs women's rights globally.

• Condoms4Life: This campaign raises awareness about the impact of the Catholic Church's positions on condom use and advocates for comprehensive reproductive health services.

Leadership and Funding

CFC has been led by prominent figures such as Frances Kissling, who directed the organization for 25 years, and Jon O'Brien, who became president in 2007. The organization is currently led by Jamie L. Manson. CFC is not a membership organization and relies on a network of paid employees and volunteer activists. It receives funding from various secular foundations, including the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Controversies and Criticisms

CFC's stance on abortion and reproductive rights has led to significant criticism and denunciation by Catholic bishops and conferences worldwide. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and similar bodies have formally rejected CFC's identification as a Catholic organization, emphasizing that its positions are contrary to Catholic teachings.

Conclusion

Catholics for Choice continues to play a notable role in U.S. and international debates on reproductive rights, advocating for legal access to abortion and challenging traditional Catholic doctrine on these issues. Despite opposition from the Catholic hierarchy, CFC remains a prominent voice in dissenting Catholic thought and activism.