Dear Supporter,

Moralaccountability.com, a blog site, recently published a commentary that mischaracterizes the motivation for Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good's recent study, which explores the connection between socioeconomic factors and the abortion rate. The Alliance promotes a consistent ethic of life and challenges both political parties to help end the tragedy of abortion. Our primary interest in commissioning Reducing Abortion in America: The Effect of Socioeconomic Factors (http://www.catholicsinalliance.org/files/CACG_Final.pdf) was to explore ways to reduce abortions and find common-ground policies that support families, not to "provide cover" for any political party or ideology as Professor Michael New suggests in his essay. As Catholics concerned about the tragedy of abortion, we invite you to respond to the posting by submitting a comment to the blog (http://www.moralaccountability.com/obama-on-abortion/holding-catholics-i...).

Though deep divides on this subject exist in the public square, Catholics in Alliance encourages constructive dialogue and engagement marked by courtesy and respect. The following comments, which Alliance supporters have tried to post on moralaccountability.com and insidecatholic.com, respectively, serve as excellent models. Please use your own words to echo these sentiments.

EXAMPLE #1

Catholics in Alliance is helping to move our nation's divisive abortion debate away from the culture-war extremes of ideological rigidity to a more respectful, bipartisan conversation about a comprehensive approach to this profound moral issue. The findings of this important study point the way toward a way to reduce abortions now. We should all be striving toward this goal rather than resorting to partisan bickering.

EXAMPLE #2

As a Catholic, I consider abortion a grave affront to the sanctity of human life. But the polarized abortion debate in this country has often been fueled by rancorous political rhetoric that has done little to reduce the number of abortions. If we are serious about preventing abortion, we must address the economic and social factors that are often at the heart of a woman's tragic decision to end a pregnancy. Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is working toward the goal of ending the tragedy of abortion. How wonderful if we could all work on this goal instead of resorting to partisan attacks.

Best wishes,

The Catholics in Alliance Team