OPPOSITION NOTES

AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES ON THOSE WHO OPPOSE WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

Catholic Answers: Scorning Man’s Laws, Twisting God’s

INTRODUCTION

fter years of engaging in inappropriate electioneering with money raised as a tax- free charity, Catholic Answers has decided to restructure its activities rather than Aawait its fate in an investigation begun by the Internal Revenue Service. Catholic Answers challenged election laws related to 501(c)(3) charities when it published a voter’s guide in 2004 that, in conjunction with accompanying documents, effectively constituted a plea to Catholics to vote Republican and accused Catholics who voted against what it deemed to be the five “non-negotiables” Catholic Answers published a voter’s guide in 2004 that, to be indirectly supporting “evil.” Catholics for a in conjunction with accompanying documents, effectively Free Choice filed a complaint in 2004 with the constituted a plea to Catholics to vote Republican. IRS about the guide and other Catholic Answers activities; an investigation ensued, and Catholic Answers’ leader, ex-attorney Karl Keating, opted not to defend his work but to play a shell game. Complaining of harassment, he simply moved the challenged electoral activity into a new organization called Catholic Answers Action, set up under a different section of the tax code. The legality of the new arrangement is unclear. Although 501(c)(4) groups such as Catholic Answers Action—that is, those incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code—have more latitude for lobbying and electioneering than 501(c)(3) groups such as Catholic Answers, the former may still not conduct election work as a primary activity. Early indications suggest strongly that that is what Catholic Answers Action is doing. Catholic Answers is based in El Cajon, California, near San Diego. The group’s annual budget was fluctuating within the $3 million–$6.1 million range during the most recent years for which tax returns were available (2002, 2003 and 2004). Its primary activity is

CATHOLICS FOR A FREE CHOICE OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

Key Findings apologetics: the defense of the faith, such submit. The group presents its mission in as Catholic Answers interprets it, against this way: • Catholic Answers challenged election attacks perceived or real. In Catholic Catholic Answers is an apostolate laws related to 501(c)(3) charities Answers’ case, this includes a radical when it published a voter’s guide in dedicated to serving Christ by commitment to the idea that almost 2004 that, in conjunction with bringing the fullness of Catholic truth anything the church hierarchy does is accompanying documents, effectively to the world. We help good Catholics right, and an accompanying willingness constituted a plea to Catholics to vote become better Catholics, bring former to pursue obscure and tortuous Republican and accused Catholics Catholics “home,” and lead non- who voted against what it deemed to arguments to prove it. For example, Catholics into the fullness of the faith. be the five “non-negotiables” to be Catholic Answers’ director of apologetics We explain Catholic truth, equip the indirectly supporting “evil.” and evangelization Jimmy Akin recently faithful to live fully the sacramental • Catholic Answers has restructured its claimed papal spokesman Joaquin life, and assist them in spreading the activities rather than await the Navarro-Valls did not lie but rather used Good News.3 outcome of a federal probe into its a “mental reservation” when he electioneering, which appeared to contradicted himself about the papal Catholic Answers claims to be seeking violate its tax-exempt charity status. 1 view of The Passion of the Christ. to win converts and bring lapsed • The organization’s new structure, which It is not known what Catholic Answers places election activities into a Catholics home, but it puts no stock in Action’s budget will be, or how the new 501(c)(4) social welfare organization the adage that flies are best caught with branch’s existence will affect Catholic called Catholic Answers Action, may honey, not vinegar. To the average run into similar legal problems as did Answers’ finances. Catholic Answers had American whether Catholic or not, its 501(c)(3): A 501(c)(4) group may thirty-six employees as of 2003 and Catholic Answers’ brand of Catholicism 2 not conduct election work as its maintains a three-member board and a will be unappealing in the extreme. primary activity, which is what Catholic roster of about 10 speakers and Answers Action indicates it plans to do. apologists, who charge fees of $1,000 and • The investigation and restructuring more for lectures at conferences and HISTORY response may damage Catholic schools. The organization’s consistent Answers’ financial outlook, since Republican bent comes through not just According to Keating’s way of seeing founder Karl Keating announced the in its voter’s guide but in many other organization’s new branch with an things, Catholic Answers was founded communications, in its donor base and in urgent appeal for funds to cover under siege, and the church is similarly its positions on social issues. The group expenses already being incurred. beset to this day. In 1979, when he was has even received donations from former • Catholic Answers’ support for about 30 years old, he reacted to Republican candidates and contempt speaker of the US House of “Fundamentalist” leafleting of cars in a for Democrats is clear, if sometimes Representatives Tom DeLay. Catholic church parking lot in San presented in a nuanced language The Catholicism promoted by Diego—“the fliers attacked the Eucharist (e.g. using terms like prolife), in its Catholic Answers is ultraorthodox, and were riddled with misinformation”— voter’s guide and many other nostalgic, quasi-separatist, superstitious by in turn leafleting cars in a communications, as well as in its and melodramatically defensive. The “Fundamentalist” church’s lot. From the donor base and positions on issues. organization tries to present its version beginning, he promoted the idea of a • Catholic Answers is committed to an of the church as generic and official—its “clash between Fundamentalists and extreme brand of Catholic apologetics, Web site is located at www.catholic.com, 4 constructing tortuous arguments to Catholics.” for example—but has no direct affiliation excuse the church hierarchy for almost “I guess I’m just contrary,” he told the with the church hierarchy and is any crime or error, past or present. conservative Catholic magazine Sursum frequently at odds with the latter over • The group preaches an ultraorthodox, Corda! in 1996. “When I distributed that quasi-separatist, paranoid and intolerant social issues. Catholic Answers first pamphlet I wanted to get a reaction. brand of Catholicism that is not likely to apologists and speakers are drawn So I rented a post office box and chose win many converts, even though winning overwhelmingly from the ranks of the name Catholic Answers.”5 converts is a stated goal. converts to Catholicism from other, Keating’s fit of parking-lot pique • Catholic Answers leaders have made mostly evangelical Christian, eventually led him to a complete career various bigoted, fearful and regressive denominations; several have described change. Although he continued in the remarks about gays, women, Muslims having been attracted to Catholicism early 1980s to practice civil law full-time, and other groups that are far out of because they saw it as rigidly pure or he became increasingly involved with his touch with mainstream American views. craved an absolute authority to which to Catholic Answers apologetics activity.

2 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

Believing “that people were interested in ELECTORAL ACTIVITY the question of the fundamentalist attack on the Church,” he wrote 30 articles for Catholic Answers for years has the Wanderer, a highly orthodox Catholic unambiguously indicated to supporters newspaper, that would collectively through its Voter’s Guide for Serious become his book Catholicism and Catholics and other communications— 6 Fundamentalism. starting with the first Catholic Answers The Catholic Answers Newsletter began Newsletters in the late 1980s and publication in 1986. During the same continuing today on the Web and radio— year, Keating engaged in his first debate that they should vote for Republican as a Catholic apologist, squaring off candidates in elections. The group uses against ex-Catholic friar Bart Brewer, code words to refer to Republicans and who had been a Discalced Carmelite. Democrats, and it lays out positions it Keating has claimed that he argued deems correct and invites readers to brilliantly and defeated the impolite and compare candidates’ platforms with those long-winded Brewer and that the positions. Such activity is off-limits for overwhelmingly “fundamentalist” 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charities, of which audience of 350 embraced Keating. “I Catholic Answers is one. had a hundred or more crammed around The organization had to change its me” offering congratulations and structure in 2006 as a result of its apologizing for Brewer’s “screed,” inappropriate electoral activity and a Keating told Sursum Corda!. “I could see resulting IRS investigation into whether across the room at the far end my it was violating its 501(c)(3) status. A 7 opponent was standing all by himself.” complaint from Catholics for a Free In 1988, Keating published Catholicism Choice to the IRS was at the origin of and Fundamentalism and left the practice Catholic Answers’ decision to start a new of law to “turn Catholic Answers into a offshoot, called Catholic Answers Action 8 full-time apostolate.” Two years later, the and incorporated as a 501(c)(4) social magazine This Rock replaced the less welfare organization. “We didn’t have 9 ambitious newsletter. The magazine has much choice,” Keating acknowledged in become the major vehicle for his writing. an April 2006 letter to supporters. “We “God condescends to work through men were forced to start it because of a to achieve his ends, yet achieve them he does…. We’re trying to cooperate “We were forced to start [Catholic Answers Action] through this magazine,” he wrote in the because of a complaint filed against Catholic Answers first issue.10 The major developments of the last by…Catholics for a Free Choice.”—Karl Keating fifteen years have been the increasingly political character of the organization— complaint filed against Catholic Answers with the consequences outlined above by Frances Kissling, president of… and below—and the emergence of Catholics for a Free Choice…. In 2004 www.catholic.com, Catholic Answers’ she filed a complaint with the IRS misleadingly named Web site. Besides [about] our Voter’s Guide for Serious electioneering for Republican candidates, Catholics…. She claimed the guide Catholic Answers leaders have used the violated IRS regulations that prohibit site and their other communications charitable organizations from engaging in outlets to become increasingly involved political activity, and she asked the IRS in the culture wars—obsessively to revoke Catholic Answers’ tax denouncing The Da Vinci Code, for exemption.” example, and refuting claims by other “For more than a year her complaint conservative commentators that has been wending its way through the SpongeBob SquarePants is gay. IRS, which has been sending us loads of

3 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

interrogatories to answer,” Keating wrote. Catholic Answers Action’s positions on “We were forced to hire a top-flight pro- 14 “five non-negotiable issues” life law firm to represent Catholic Answers…. We see that pro-abortion Abortion “It is a form of homicide.” groups will file complaints with the IRS Euthanasia “True compassion cannot include intentionally each year that we distribute the guide. doing something intrinsically evil.” What a hassle—and expense! So we’re Embryonic stem cell research “Even if there were benefits to be had from taking the voter’s guide out of Catholic such experiments, they would not justify Answers.”11 destroying innocent embryonic humans.” In addition to publishing the regularly Human cloning “The ‘rejected’ or ‘unsuccessful’ embryonic updated Voter’s Guide in booklet form, clones are destroyed, yet each clone is a Catholic Answers during the 2004 US human being.” presidential campaign ran newspaper Gay marriage “Legal recognition of any other union as advertisements containing the text of the ‘marriage’ undermines true marriage.” guide and asserting, “This is the ad that Frances Kissling of Catholics for a Free Choice doesn’t want you to read!”12 Also during the 2004 campaign, Keating e-mailed supporters that Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry “flunks the test given in Catholic Answers’ Voting Guide.”13 Since the guide is in essence a coded plea to vote Republican, it is not surprising that the Democratic candidate would have flunked the test. The document lays out “non-negotiable,” Republican-friendly positions on which Catholics must ostensibly base their votes. The explanation of positions is followed by a section on “how to determine a candidate’s position” and an effectively anti-Democratic injunction, since Catholics have traditionally favored Democrats, to avoid basing votes on “your political party affiliation, your earlier voting habits, or your family’s voting tradition.” Votes for minor-party candidates are unacceptable, since only candidates with a “real” chance to win can be considered. The concept of conscience is acknowledged but completely eviscerated: “A well-formed conscience,” according to the guide, “will never contradict Catholic moral teaching.”15 Perhaps unsurprisingly, Catholic Answers’ version of the “non-negotiables” does not include any of the other mainstays of the Catholic faith on which Democrats tend to be closer to Catholic teachings, such as opposing war, concern for the poor, an increase in the minimum

4 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

wage and immigration reform. in opposition to candidates for public Such electioneering is a textbook case office provided that such intervention of 501(c)(3) status violation. IRS materials does not constitute the organization’s specifically rule out 501(c)(3) electoral primary activity. The regulations campaigning using code words such as under IRC 501(c)(4) provide that “pro-life,”16 and the agency forbids promotion of social welfare does not 501(c)(3) groups to invite comparison of include participation or intervention in candidates’ views with the groups’ own political campaigns.21 positions. Keating acknowledged no In addition, the IRS recently wrongdoing, though, instead blaming the reaffirmed a precedent that is not very events on “political correctness” and on different from the case of Catholic Catholic “inertia… due to poor Answers Action and would appear to catechesis,” which he said kept the faithful bode ill for the latter: from rising up to defend his rights. “Catholics simply do not understand their An organization exempt under faith. Catholic Answers Action will have [Internal Revenue Code] 501(c)(4) may the freedom of action to correct that engage in political campaign activities 17 shortcoming,” he sniffed. CFFC drew a if those activities are not the different conclusion from news of the IRS organization’s primary activity…. In investigation and Catholic Answers’ [a 1967 ruling], the Service held that reaction: “Reporting violations works.” an organization…whose primary Keating purports to believe that his activity was rating candidates for new 501(c)(4) is by definition immune to public office was not exempt under a challenge such as the one that led to IRC 501(c)(4) because such activity is the IRS investigation. “Since Catholic not “the promotion of social welfare.” Answers Action is formed under IRS The ruling stated that a comparative section 501(c)(4),” Catholic Answers rating of candidates, even though on a Action “will be free of any such non-partisan basis, is participation or restrictions” and may discuss what intervention on behalf of candidates “Catholic teaching…means in specific favorably rated and in opposition to instances” and “speak freely on the range those less favorably rated.22 of issues that affect our faith and our nation.”18 He has called it “perfectly legal Catholic Answers Action is either unaware of IRS rules for a 501(c)(4) organization to be overtly political” and has announced plans or is rejecting them. through Catholic Answers Action to issue “candidate surveys” that “name names.” Catholic Answers Action is either He presents the new group’s agenda unaware of these rules or is rejecting openly as being keyed to election years them, since it indicates clearly that what and campaigns.19 it plans to do is an expanded and more This approach is of dubious legality. explicitly political version of that which Although a 501(c)(4) can lobby and was challenged under Catholic Answers. electioneer more freely than a 501(c)(3), One clue to Keating’s motivation in it still may not conduct such work as its establishing Catholic Answers Action primary activity.20 It may set up a 527 may be found in 2003 IRS guidance: fund to conduct electoral activities, but in According to the tax agency, “An order to do so must be a valid 501(c)(4) organization that loses its IRC 501(c)(3) in the first place. IRS technical status because of excessive lobbying or instruction is clear: political campaign intervention may not be treated as an organization described 501(c)(4)…organizations may engage in IRC 501(c)(4).”23 Had Keating not in political campaigns on behalf of or established his 501(c)(4) before the IRS

5 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

probe concluded, he might have found Akin’s positions range from stunning himself prohibited from doing so at all. right-wing extremism to run-of-the-mill Although Catholic Answers Action may Republican talking points. He has asked find itself similarly investigated, it will at what “people who voted for” prochoice least have bought a little time—possibly “presidents will say on judgment day,”27 enough time to seek to influence the and has referred to the US Supreme 2008 election: Court sarcastically as “Darth Kennedy and Our Robed Masters.”28 He We expect that even though 2006 has demonizes mainstream media, from only an “off-year” election, we’ll have Agence France-Presse to Reuters to the far more readers of our voter’s guide New York Times, and is an unabashed Fox than we had in 2004. Back then, as News enthusiast. (When the profoundly many as 20 million Americans read Republican-aligned channel debuted in the guide, either in booklet form on Canada, Akin trumpeted on his blog, online or in full-page newspaper “Heads Up, Canucks! FOX NEWS IS ads…. In 2006 we expect to increase NOW ON THE AIR IN THE GREAT that number a lot—and in 2008 (a WHITE NORTH!...Enjoy!”29) He gushes presidential election year) we expect to about conservatives such as US Supreme increase it still further. If just 5 million Court justice Clarence Thomas, a more Americans voted in line with the Republican nominee whose 1991 five non-negotiables, the complexion confirmation hearings included detailed of Congress and state legislatures examination of sexual harassment could be changed considerably.24 charges against Thomas and were a watershed of polarizing partisanship. Jimmy Akin seems to relish presenting himself as a “I mean, he totally ROCKS! He’s even caricatural right-wing Republican, praising Fox News better than Scalia” (emphasis in original), 30 and trickle-down economics. Akin wrote of Thomas in 2006. Akin maintains an “Economics” blog page on which he pays homage to Catholic Answers’ consistently conservative “supergenius” Thomas Republican bent is not limited to its five Sowell and writes long posts explaining “non-negotiables,” as the writings of its his own Sowell-inspired brand of director of apologetics and Reaganomics—condemning those who evangelization, Jimmy Akin, show denounce the rich-poor wealth gap in the clearly. Akin maintains a blog that he US, for example, for their “Envy… defends as strictly personal, saying contrary to the virtue of Prudence.” He constantly, “What’s mine is mine.” has referred to MoveOn.org, which Catholic Answers’ Web site links directly supports liberal Democrats, as “fanning 31 to the blog. Akin not only uses it to the flames of class warfare in America.” promote Catholic Answers projects but Shortly after the 2004 elections, he also has acknowledged blogging while at rejoiced both that liberal filmmaker work at Catholic Answers.25 On the blog, Michael Moore had not been nominated Akin seems to relish presenting himself for a best-picture Oscar and that as a caricatural right-wing Republican, Democrats had fared poorly at the polls: praising Fox News, trickle-down Quick question: What does Michael economics and the US military and Moore’s “L” hand gesture [in a photo trashing public media, the UN (“chief included in the blog entry] stand for? mouthpiece for the head shaking and finger wagging…complicit in this (a) Liberal hypocritical shame game directed against (b) Loser the first world”26) and the 1985 charity (c) Both pop hit “We Are the World.”

6 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

I submit that the answer is the same defense of church and family, under for both the election and the Oscars.32 siege by a corrupt modern world and at war with evil and error, the purveyors of Akin wrote in 2004 that “the whole which include all other religions. ‘red state/blue state’ thing”—code for Perhaps the most prominent of Republican- and Democratic-leaning Catholic Answers’ platforms is states—showed the country divided www.catholic.com. At its misleadingly between “one group of folks standing for generic Web address, Catholic Answers traditional American and Christian sells its books and ephemera, speeches values” (emphasis in original) and “the and merchandise—a T-shirt with drawing other group standing for—well, hatred of by noted Family Circus cartoonist Bil traditional American and Christian Keane, for example, under “Bargain values.”33 Just before the 2004 elections, Table—Deep Discounts”—and maintains he extended to US politics an approach chat boards and an online archive of for which the Catholic church has deeply conservative apologetics articles frequently been criticized: Enthusing catalogued by topic. The site includes an about new data showing red states had archive of Catholic Answers’ major higher birth rates, he wrote, “If you media outlet, the magazine This Rock. harbor abortion, contraception, and an Catholic.com promotes Catholic anti-child mentality, you have fewer Answers’ quasi-separatist agenda by kids…. The future’s lookin’ rosy.”34 Also running prominent advertisements for in 2004, he charged defeated 2000 Catholic-specific ventures such as a Democratic presidential candidate Al dating service and a mortgage provider. Gore—who had lost the election by the Advertisements for in-house and outside thinnest of margins and ultimately services are difficult to tell apart, partially conceded after the Supreme Court ended obscuring the fact that to some extent, ongoing recounts—with “naked ambition Catholic Answers is pushing a marginal and self-interest…put ahead of the agenda in a variety of forms. common good.”35 Catholic Answers’ magazine, This Rock, Despite his extreme sensitivity to is a hodgepodge of nostalgia and others’ supposed sacrilege and heresies, folksiness, surly conservatism and and despite Catholic Answers’ claims of nonpartisanship, Akin is such a Catholic Answers’ magazine, This Rock, is a hodgepodge Republican true believer that he has even flirted with likening the Republican of nostalgia and folksiness, surly conservatism and US president to Jesus Christ: One of his religious ultraorthodoxy. many blog entries on Moore’s Bush- skewering Fahrenheit 9/11 was titled “The religious ultraorthodoxy. This Rock has Passion of the President.”36 published articles in favor of “masculine spirituality” and in opposition to altar girls; for saintly relics and against “New COMMUNICATIONS Agers”; for long homilies and against slow-speaking lectors; for Catholics’ right Besides publishing its voter’s guide, to support war and against ecumenical Catholic Answers engages in various committees; for hospitality and against other media, publishing and homosexuality; for “joyful Catholics” and communications activities meant to against short skirts in church; for reading advance its apologetics mission and its the bible and against describing the political agenda. The communications bible as infallible. The magazine address church doctrine and canon law obsessively refutes, under the umbrella and also include social commentary and term sola scriptura, all manner of non- cultural criticism. The general theme is Catholic Christian teachings. Most topics

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are treated with shrill earnestness, begin a relationship simply because they strained humor, awkward self- found the other to be cute and fun.”39 congratulation and a whiff of paranoid The radio program Catholic Answers rage. Besides This Rock, Catholic Answers Live airs on about 80 stations around the publishes books, booklets and newsletters country, often small and specifically promoting its views. Catholic or Christian. Tax forms for 2003 Catholic Answers has claimed “tens of indicate Catholic Answers paid $101,000 thousands of people” write letters each for radio air time but do not specify for year seeking guidance from its apologists. what programs or stations. Jerry Usher is The latter also take phone calls from the program’s host, and Keating, his staff people with questions about aspects of apologists and various outside Catholicism. Keating in a 1996 Sursum conservative Catholic figures are regular Corda! article related the story of a “19- participants. Catholic Answers also year-old homosexual man” who called produces The Doctor Is In, in which hosts “out of the blue” because he was “drawn Ray Guarendi M.D. and Colleen Mast toward the Church” and wanted to get “his discuss “marital situations; job-related homosexual tendencies more under questions; vocational discernment; and the gamut of parenting issues.”40 “When the car was invented people would begin a Akin has since 2004 used his blog to relationship simply because they found the other to be promote a number of Catholic Answers “secret projects.” None, as of two years cute and fun.”—Catholic Answers’ Pure Love Club later, appeared to have progressed much. In August 2004, he said he had “finished control.” He explained, “So many callers writing a proposal” for “Secret Project seem to simply trust the people here.” The #1,” which would entail “five years of same article indicates that on a single day, hard work”; had “recently attended a Catholic Answers fielded calls from five legal seminar to get some background” people—“four of them were men”—who for “Secret Project #2,” which “requires a had come to accept the Vatican line on special skill set”; and had “finished contraception but were concerned about editing a proposal” for “Secret Project their spouses’ reactions to that news.37 #3,” to be carried out with “the same In addition to fielding calls and letters, major partner as Secret Project #1.”41 Catholic Answers apologists and Grumbled one blog reader in response to speakers travel the country delivering Akin’s description of “Secret Project #4,” paid lectures. Some also do so on their “9 paragraphs to say nothing.”42 own account. Two of the apologists, Two years later, Akin said he had not Jason and Crystalina Evert, conduct such “been able to push forward the three work substantially through Catholic previously mentioned secret projects of Answers’ abstinence promotion branch, late”—but “I can, however, announce a the Pure Love Club. According to the new secret project—Secret Project #4.” latter, “The new sexual revolution is He said the latter had “the potential here…. The peace and joy that come to…what’s the right word?... from chastity is worth more than all the ‘revolutionize’? (is that it?)…the field of pleasures of the world.”38 The Pure Love apologetics” (ellipses in original).43 The Club’s perspective on love and sex hews next month, he added that there were closely to Catholic Answers’ nostalgia- “around eleven people working full or fueled ultraconservatism and at times part time on” the latest project, which veers into a striking antimodernism: “has a technological side and an “When the car was invented…courting informational side.”44 The week after that, could be divorced from spending time he sought help from “local folks”— with family because the couple could “responsible older teenagers wanting leave the family behind…. People would some extra summer money,” for

8 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

example—to “accelerate the work being Keating acknowledged frustratedly in done on Secret Project #4.” The work, 1998 that it is “very difficult to speak he said, would involve word processing against” contraception because “most and was “not at all hard or complex,” Catholics practice it.”50 Catholic Answers and “there would be some modest pay nevertheless views contraception as ($$) involved.”45 gravely evil and expresses outrageous views about it. Apologist Michelle Arnold suggested in 2005 that ISSUES pulmonary embolisms that may have resulted from contraceptive patch use “We’re trying to ‘convert’ people—even were perhaps expressions of the wrath of Catholics—to the Catholic way of God: “Isn’t it interesting how the understanding the five non-negotiables,” physical consequences of morally- Keating wrote in 2006.46 So far, they are problematic actions seem to ‘mirror’ the far from success. Catholic Answers morally-problematic action?” she wrote promotes views on a wide range of social obscurely.51 A couple in which one issues that are always far to the right of partner has HIV and which has sex the Catholic and American center, and using a condom, Akin wrote in 2006, is usually more conservative than those of engaging in “mutual masturbation with a Catholic Answers’ favored Republican piece of plastic in the middle,” a “mortal Party. In that sense, Catholic Answers sin.”52 can be seen as belonging to the right Catholic Answers is steadfastly wing of its party. opposed to gay marriage, and its In supporting a change in the law to leaders often place quotation marks completely ban all abortion, Catholic around the word “marriage” in that term. Answers promotes an ultraconservative The voter’s guide says gay marriage abortion position: “Abortion is the “does homosexual persons a disservice intentional and direct killing of an by encouraging them to persist in what is innocent human being, and therefore it is an objectively immoral arrangement.”53 a form of homicide.”47 Akin has Keating has said that a homosexual expressed a related pronatalist position person should strive to be “somewhat that is superstitious and far out of touch with the average Catholic’s views. God A couple which has sex using a condom is engaging in wants to “get new saved immortal beings “mutual masturbation with a piece of plastic in the middle.” who freely chose their salvation,” he wrote in 2004. “Our job is to —Jimmy Akin have…babies and point them toward God as their ultimate destination…. We like the alcoholic who, through a support have to live our lives in accordance with group, is able to stay sober.”54 Akin uses God’s known goals. We must be fruitful quotes around even the word “parents” and multiply.”48 when referring to gays and has argued Catholic Answers’ voter’s guide also that gay parents’ children should be condemns euthanasia, embryonic stem barred from Catholic schools, since by cell research and cloning. One reads in allowing the children to attend school, the guide that euthanasia comes from a “One harms not only the children in the “misplaced sense of compassion,” that school but the homosexual ‘parents’ as “any medical cure that might arise from well if one communicates to them that experimentation on fetal stem cells can be their behavior is acceptable, or even developed by using adult stem cells tolerable.”55 instead” and that cloning “ends up being Keating and Akin have frequently a form of homicide” because some cloned expressed scorn for Islam, which they embryos are rejected and destroyed.49 view as the wellspring of terrorism and

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the adversary of the West. They link Chapel and [kill] every single one of the current Muslim-Western difficulties to the cardinal electors during a conclave. Crusades, which they view as a They’d do it! They’re fanatics!... Let’s call legitimate and holy campaign that, it an ‘act of the devil’ since (even under tragically, sometimes met with defeat at the providence of God) it would likely be the hands of Muslims. Akin wrote in the devil motivating the terrorists.”59, 60 2005, “That [the 1453 fall of In a lengthy 2005 This Rock article, Constantinople to Muslim forces] Akin endorsed then Cardinal Joseph happened was a great tragedy and yet Ratzinger’s 2004 assertion of a another instance of jihad being “legitimate diversity of opinion among successfully waged against Christendom. Catholics about waging war and The tragedy could have been prevented applying the death penalty.”61 Akin uses had European Christians worked his blog frequently to praise the US together…. The fall of Constantinople military and express approval of also comes as a salutary warning for Washington war policy. Both Akin and Europe today, whose demographic Keating condemn the World War II trends are dooming them to cultural firebombing of Dresden and use of extinction in the face of Muslim nuclear weapons to destroy Japanese demographic jihad.”54 cities, seemingly to establish their bona Writing in 2006 about Afghan fides as they support current wars Christian Abdul Rahman, who was enthusiastically and without exception. imprisoned for his faith but saw the “The conscience of the nation has charges dropped, Akin termed the progressed” in this area, Akin has written.62 Catholic Answers speaker Mark Akin uses his blog frequently to praise the US military and Shea in 2003 displayed a willingness to express approval of Washington war policy. challenge the Vatican on war in a manner that departed strikingly from Catholic Answers’ submissive stance on decision “a victory in the process of virtually all other subjects: Shea getting Muslims to behave like civilized acknowledged it was “clear that both the human beings.”57 Keating has written that Holy Father and the bishops urge strongly the “threat [of terrorism] does not come against war” but added, “I want to hear from a few individuals or groups” and the reasoning behind it, which I’m not that “many” people “in Islamist hearing. I’m hearing ‘Don’t do this,’ but societies…would become Christian if I’m not hearing strong just-war arguments they could do so in safety.” He portrayed against the war…. The pope has just said, Islam as inherently militaristic and ‘I think this would be a bad idea.’”63 dismissed its theology as “meager.” Akin advocates a severe law-and-order There is a need, he said, to “build a approach to crime. In 2004, he bulwark that will defend the Catholic suggested corporal punishment as “an faith”—especially, he claimed, because alternative to prison”—but added that if “much of our media is still asleep” and high incarceration rates “are really even seeking to “hide the truth from us” needed to control the crime problem, I when it comes to Islamic terrorism.58 don’t have a problem with it.”64He has Catholic Answers’ chief apologist expressed contempt for the US right of appears to view the planet as engaged in arrestees to be read their rights, ensured a religious world war that may by the 1966 Supreme Court decision in specifically threaten the church. Akin has Miranda vs. Arizona. He uses scare quotes referred to the post-9/11 era as “World around the word “right” in this context War IV” and voiced fear about a and in 2005 wrote that “people at the scenario in which al-Qaeda would time…thought it was absurd to compel detonate “a suitcase nuke near the Sistine police” to inform suspects of their rights.

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“There is not one bit of the Constitution Regressive. that states or implies that police have an Catholic Answers’ viewpoint lies obligation to do this,” he wrote.65 beyond traditionalism, but the group strategically uses the term “radical traditionalism” to demonize those few CATHOLICISM Catholics more extreme than itself. Catholic Answers apologists have been Catholic Answers attributes to what it known to reject the views of priests, sees as authentic Catholicism a long list bishops and occasionally even the of qualities the average person will view Vatican, and the group stresses its as extremely negative. Its Catholicism is financial independence from the a rejection of the church hierarchy’s institutional church. Catholic Answers stances since Vatican II and is far out of chastises priests regularly for what it sees touch with the views of the average as insufficient orthodoxy; Keating told American Catholic. Insight on the News that the priesthood has Akin’s co-blogger Tim Jones been failing Catholics since the 1960s by crystallized this approach in 2005, in offering “almost no moral structure” in response to objections by the progressive homilies. For priests, he chided, “It’s very Catholic group We Are Church to easy to talk about racism because sainthood for Pope John Paul II. The list everybody’s against it. It’s very difficult of objections described the late pope as to speak against contraception because practicing “repression and most Catholics practice it.”68 Akin in marginalization” of certain theologians, 2005 instructed a Catholic questioner to moving away from “collegiality in Church stop having sex with his Protestant wife, governance” and lacking control over to whom he had been married years church finances. Jones wrote, “This looks before in a civil ceremony, until the two like a list of recommendations, to me.”66 had a Catholic wedding; the man’s priest Apologetics in general is controversial had been “wrong,” Akin told the man, to within the increasingly ecumenical-minded tell the couple they could continue post-Vatican II church, and Catholic having sex.69 In 1991, Keating told the Answers’ brand of apologetics is extreme. Orlando Sentinel, “Lay people can do this In an article about Catholic Answers speaker Jim Burnham and former Catholic Catholic Answers apologists have been known to reject Answers vice president Patrick Madrid, the views of priests, bishops and occasionally even the Associated Press in 1997 cited Catholic critics who said apologetics “runs contrary the Vatican. to Vatican II’s call for Christian groups to work together.” The wire service better than clergy…can because we’re on paraphrased Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New the same level as the people we’re Mexico, pastoral ministries director talking to.”70 Catholic Answers Frances Vogel as saying that “apologetics is admonishes Catholics to submit to the out of step in today’s ecumenical age” and hierarchy’s views even as it refuses to do as calling for “less confrontational so itself. This Rock told a 1994 letter writer, evangelization efforts.”67 “Conform your mind and will to those of Despite a stated desire to convert non- the Church,”71 and Keating said that same Catholics and less regressive Catholics to year that “orthodoxy and joyousness go its brand of Catholicism, Catholic together.”72 In claiming orthodoxy while Answers’ presentation of the faith often promoting views that clash with those of seems designed to drive away, rather the church hierarchy, Catholic Answers than attract, its audience. Catholic implies that the hierarchy is as regressive Answers’ Catholicism is: and strident as itself.

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Insulting. preach religious bigotry and complain “Jesus is harsh and condemning of about it in the same breath. Keating sinfulness,” Keating said in 2000.73 suggested in 2004, for example, that “There’s too much ‘tolerance’ rhetoric in persecution of Catholics persisted, but that the schools (and in society),” Akin wrote in any case, any decline in anti-Catholicism in 2005, “as it’s used as a codeword to over the past century could be attributed to stigmatize those who want to maintain Protestants’ decadence. “That old Catholic traditional moral values.”74 Accordingly, bogeyman has not disappeared,” he wrote. Catholic Answers leaders are frequently “If the Church is no longer as fiercely rude to those who disagree with them attacked as it once was, that can be and do not shy away from gratuitous and attributed less to an openness of mind and juvenile ad hominem attacks. When heart than to the weakening of belief Catholics for a Free Choice filed a among English-speaking Protestants. Fewer complaint about Catholic Answers’ of them believe their own religion, so fewer illegal electoral activity with the IRS in of them hate ours.”78 2004, Akin said nothing in defense of his In defending the faith against perceived group’s work but referred to Catholics attacks, Catholic Answers spends much for a Free Choice president Frances time, ink and bandwidth refuting media Kissling as “Frances ‘Quisling.’”75 In an productions ranging from the crude, exchange related to the 2004 US bigoted comic books of “Christian” presidential election, Akin called Newsday cartoonist Jack Chick to Hollywood columnist Bob Keeler a “barking blockbusters. “TV programs run all the moonbat” and a “hack”—in a blog entry time that if they attacked Jews or blacks the way that they attacked Catholics, then Catholic Answers’ defensiveness is intertwined with scorn all kinds of people would be up in arms,” for other faiths, which it accuses of anti-Catholicism and Keating wrote in 1994. “But, hey, everyone knows Catholics are cruel and describes as based in untruth. repressive…. In the media our priests are all pedophiles.”79 Perhaps no cultural titled “Journalist Increases Own Chance production spooked Catholic Answers as Of Going To Hell”—after Keeler wrote much as The Da Vinci Code, a 2006 fantasy that Catholics cared about a broader and whodunit whose central conspiracy range of issues than those represented in involved Opus Dei and the Vatican. Akin Catholic Answers’ Voter’s Guide.76 When criticized the movie with ad hominem television producer Steven Levitan, a insults and irrelevant aesthetic Catholic, wrote in 2004 that he and his pronouncements. “Opie’s latest opus,” he Jewish wife do not regularly attend wrote, referring to director Ron Howard’s religious services, Akin called the pair “a role four decades earlier in the Andy couple of sell-outs on the single most Griffith Show, “is boring! B-O-R-I-N-G!” important subject in life…trying to mask Referring next to Howard’s 1970s role in that fact to yourselves with pious- Happy Days, Akin added, “Somebody must sounding pleasantries.” Concluding his have spiked Richie Cunningham’s drink attack on the “clueless lefty,” he added: with a tab of acid.”80 Catholic Answers’ “You’re not just from a different planet. frustration was surely intensified by the You’re from a different universe.”77 massive box office Howard’s Grail fantasy was doing at the time—The Da Vinci Code Defensive. opened at No. 1 and stayed in the box- Catholic Answers complains constantly office top ten for two months. of anti-Catholicism and displays a generally defensive mindset that fuels its Anti-ecumenical. quasi-separatism. In fighting this rear-guard Catholic Answers’ defensiveness is battle, Catholic Answers leaders often intertwined with scorn for other faiths,

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which it accuses of anti-Catholicism and episode in which, faced with news describes as based in untruth. “Some of reports about and photographs of Pope the Protestant churches call their John Paul II kissing a Qur’an, Akin said ministers priests or bishops, but we know the pope “may have overestimated both that those are terms of courtesy, not the need for and the utility of” gestures reality,” Keating wrote in 2000. The aimed at fostering “world peace and Anglican archbishop of Canterbury, he religious harmony.” If the latter was the added, “is a Christian layman, not even a pope’s motive, Akin wrote, the kiss was priest…. I use ‘church’ in a colloquial “a mistake to my mind.” John Paul II, he sense when referring to the Anglican or wrote, “may not have been attending to other Protestant bodies…. There is one the gravity of the false elements in the true Church, and there are many faux Quran” and may “without fully thinking churches.”81 In 2005, Arnold summed up through his action” have kissed the book. the Anglican Church as one “created “Fortunately,” Akin sniffed, “the because of one man’s sexual infallibility of the pope and the indiscretions and rationalizations for his indefectibility of the Church do not immoral behavior.” She linked Henry extend to such actions.”86 VIII’s place in Anglican history to the A curious aside to Catholic Answers’ church’s being “at the forefront of…the intolerance of other religions is its rationalization by some Christians of obsession with breakaway Catholic sexual behavior traditionally recognized groups, minor religions, spiritual to be immoral”—that is, homosexuality.82 movements and outright cults. Keating Akin is particularly concerned with seems to fear such groups may draw other faiths, those purveyors of sin and converts from Catholicism but also to error. In 2006, he counseled a blog hope they may provide converts to reader not to attend a brother-in-law’s Catholicism. Akin also fiercely denounces baptism as a Jehovah’s Witness because “New Age” beliefs, which he embraced in “it is more loving to an individual (and younger days.87 “Communism was done others) to be honest with them about the in by its record. So will the New Age fact that a sacrament is not valid—and to movement be done in,” Keating wrote in prove that you’re serious about that by 1990. “New Agers…know nothing about not showing up.”83 In 2005, he recommended another reader skip even The Anglican Church was “created because of one man’s the reception that was to follow a sexual indiscretions and rationalizations for his immoral Catholic acquaintance’s non-Catholic wedding. He earnestly explored the behavior.”—Michelle Arnold question of whether going to the reception would constitute a mortal sin.84 Christianity…. They are unable to handle He lectured and condemned activists syllogisms. Their minds aren’t geared to concerned about potential inspiration for logical processes…. They are their own anti-Semites in the movie The Passion of gods…. These people don’t even know the Christ, a Catholic Answers favorite; who John XXIII was, let alone Gregory Jews who criticized the movie, he said, the Great…. The New Age movement were “hypocrites” and “reactionaries.” In will corrupt and disappoint millions more an apparent attempt at ecumenical before it too is relegated to the dustbin of understanding, he added that it was history.” On the other hand, he understandable that the “ulterior continued, “New Agers will someday be motives” of Jewish Passion critics might ex-New Agers, hollowed out and ready to include “keeping the goyim from getting be filled with something, anything. And worked up about their religion.”85 why not with the fullest form of The Vatican-Catholic Answers gulf on Christianity, Catholicism?”88 ecumenism was illustrated by a 2006

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Sheltered. claiming others were committed by Catholic Answers’ stance toward the wayward leaders who do not represent general culture is one of religious quasi- the institution. “Pius XII…was ceaseless separatism and heavy censorship and in his solicitude for persecuted Jews,” filtering of cultural productions. The Keating wrote in 2000, complaining of organization promotes Catholic-specific an “affective incapacity” to “distinguish dating services and mortgages, and between the Church’s teachings and Catholic Answers leaders have some of her wayward members.”93 In participated in all-Catholic cruises on the 2000, he wrote that the Inquisition as Royal Caribbean line.89 Their ultimate generally understood “just wasn’t so.”94 plans are seemingly much grander: In The Crusades were “eminently 2005, Arnold criticized Cory Burnell, defensible,” he wrote on another leader of the separatist group Christian occasion, “even though, like all wars, Exodus, over his plan for a theocratic excesses and venality and acquisitiveness settlement in South Carolina—but only were to be found in them (along with because Burnell had committed an error discipline and valor and generosity).”95 of timing with his “‘outside-the-box’ pet Akin has seen fit to exculpate brainstorm,” which was “not yet ready members of the hierarchy for even banal for primetime.”90 While awaiting utopia, missteps. When in 2004 papal Catholic Answers followers are to shelter spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls themselves from much of modern life. In contradicted himself about whether the response to a reader whose priest had pope had said of The Passion of the Christ, warned him the devil is in nightclubs, “It is as it was,” Akin embarked on a tortuous and legalistic argument that No past crime of the church hierarchy goes undefended excluded utterly the possibility that the by Catholic Answers. spokesman could have lied, considering instead whether Navarro-Valls might have been guilty of a “mental Akin claimed he had never been to a reservation.” After Navarro-Valls had nightclub and advised square dancing.91 denied media reports that he had The sheltered ideal is in a sense a wish to confirmed the papal quote’s accuracy, go back in time, and Catholic Answers reporters had published e-mails sees itself as a bulwark between its fellow demonstrating that Navarro-Valls had nostalgics and a comparatively modern changed his story.96 church. “Even with those fine priests who represent the faith as they should, it is no Antifeminist. longer enough,” Keating has said. “It In response to Loyola University used to be that in places like Chicago theologian Susan Ross’ questioning you could find four Catholic churches at whether it is good to “perpetuat[e] an one intersection—German, Polish, Irish image of the Eucharist where a man is and another. We no longer live in that always at the center,” Keating wrote in kind of a Catholic ghetto…. By default 2000, “In every Mass ‘a man is always at there is a need” for Catholic Answers, the center’—the man Jesus Christ…. The he said.92 Mass is a divine drama, and the male lead needs to be played by a male.” He Revisionist. rejected the very concept of feminist No past crime of the church hierarchy theology and wrote sarcastically that goes undefended by Catholic Answers, since “promoters of women’s even though Vatican leaders have ordination…cause divisions” that “hurt,” expressed regret for many things. “I hope Susan A. Ross feels my pain.”97 Catholic Answers oscillates between Akin is radically regressive on denying some of the church’s crimes and relations between the sexes. In 2004, he

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said the role of women in Catholic community” who seek “to reinterpret families stems from “differences in the wholesome American icons in genders.” Although some women may be homosexual terms” and “take a kind of bigger than or understand spatial perverse delight in reinterpreting icons of relations better than some men, he goodness and decency in this fashion.” wrote, “In a few cases, the differences in He slammed Warner Brothers for roles are absolute: Only women can give marketing Superman Returns to gay as birth; only men can be priests.” In well as straight people and lambasted families, he said, “Men are configured DC Comics’ decision to portray physically and cognitively to serve as the Batwoman as a lesbian—“particularly primary leader/protector of the family, disgusting to me,” he wrote, “since I while women are configured physically remember the original Batwoman from and cognitively to serve as the primary nurturer/caregiver.” Such roles may be The organization’s antigay stance reflects its generally altered in a marriage, he said, if one spouse is “physically or mentally sheltered and nostalgic conservatism. incapacitated.”98 reprints of old Batman stories that I read Antigay. as a child, and the original Batwoman Catholic Answers’ leaders are viciously was created as a love interest for Batman antigay. They scapegoat gays for the himself.”100 Also in 2006, he criticized church hierarchy’s problems and reject “homosexual activists” who have the reality of gay life in America. Keating “delighted in corrupting” the image of wrote in 2004 that “widespread the quintessential gay icon, Judy theological dissent and the toleration of Garland: “I’m not about to let the fact homosexual behavior,” rather than that some of them have tried to subvert sexual abuse of young people, were the [Garland’s Wizard of Oz character] reasons that “the Catholic priesthood in Dorothy into some kind of gay icon stop America has not been getting a good me from enjoying The Wizard of Oz.”101 press.” He blamed gay priests for “most (not all, admittedly) of the abuse cases.” Apocalyptic. Brushing aside the facts and generally Writing about the fall of the Roman accepted tenets of the psychology of Empire, Keating said in 2005, “We are abuse, he said, “The priestly scandal has entering a new dark night, but many not been so much about priests abusing people are oblivious to the fact, just as children as about homosexual priests many were oblivious in the fourth century. acting out their homosexuality with No matter. As it did then, the Catholic teenagers and young adults.” Barring Church will be the carrier of not only from ministry all priests who “have religious truth but civilization itself.”102 chosen to live the homosexual lifestyle,” Keating wrote, “would solve the abuse scandal almost overnight by getting rid PEOPLE of the priests who cause most of the abuse.” He further recommended that all Karl Keating “homosexual” men—in his terms, not just Keating is much less public a figure the “gay” ones, who have “chosen to live than most leaders of like-minded the homosexual lifestyle”—be refused organizations. His name and words entry to seminaries.99 appear comparatively rarely in news The organization’s antigay stance articles, and Catholic Answers publishes reflects its generally sheltered and little information about him and virtually nostalgic conservatism. Akin railed in none about his life before 1979. 2006 against “those in the gay According to Wikipedia, he was born in

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1950 and attended college at the condescends to work through men to University of California San Diego and law achieve his ends, yet achieve them he school at the University of San Diego.103 does,” he wrote. “We’re trying to Despite this dearth of information, one cooperate through this magazine.”108 By period is well-documented: the beginning 1991, the Orlando Sentinel was describing of Keating’s apologetics career and of him as “a defender of the Catholic faith,” Catholic Answers itself. In 1979 in San a title he did not reject: “The faith needs Diego, according to the oft-recounted to be defended because so many people tale, Keating reacted to “Fundamentalist” are leaving it. The reason they’re leaving leafleting of cars in a Catholic church’s it, for the most part, is because they parking lot—“the fliers attacked the never were taught the faith,” Keating told Eucharist and were riddled with the Sentinel. He added that he wanted to misinformation”—by leafleting cars in a combat “fundamentalist misconceptions “Fundamentalist” church’s lot with a about Catholicism,” including “that we defense of Catholicism.104 During the worship statues, that we worship Mary early 1980s, Keating practiced civil law instead of God.”109 full-time but became increasingly Keating is married to a Japanese involved in his apologetics activity. woman from Kyoto who is a Catholic Believing “that people were interested in convert from Buddhism. In December the question of the fundamentalist attack 1992, he wrote in This Rock about her on the Church,” he wrote 30 articles for father’s burial in Japan. His father-in-law the Wanderer that became his 1988 book was cremated, and Keating described Catholicism and Fundamentalism. “I guess refusing to participate in a ritual in which I’m just contrary,” he told Sursum Corda! each mourner approached the altar and in 1996. “When I distributed that first sprinkled incense on a brazier. “By pamphlet I wanted to get a reaction. So I engaging in it I might have allowed some rented a post office box and chose the to think I believe my religion is on the name Catholic Answers.”105 same level as their custom. Since I don’t, In 1986, he began to publish the I couldn’t,” he wrote.110 Catholic Answers Newsletter and engaged in his first debate, against former Discalced Jimmy Akin, director of apologetics and Carmelite Bart Brewer. Keating has evangelization sought to mythologize the debate to an Before settling on his current extreme degree. Brewer, he claims, ultraorthodox Catholicism, Akin espoused droned on after Keating had made his various religions and beliefs he now own points brilliantly, and the mostly staunchly opposes. Born in 1965 in “fundamentalist” audience of 350 Corpus Christi, Texas, he was raised and dramatically embraced Keating schooled by Protestant parents in afterward: “I had a hundred or more Arkansas and began his career teaching crammed around me” offering philosophy at the University of Arkansas, congratulations to Keating and apologies seemingly on the basis of a pending for Brewer’s “screed,” Keating told postgraduate degree.111 He has written that Sursum Corda!. “I could see across the before becoming Catholic in 1992,112 he room at the far end my opponent was attended a Church of Christ, became standing all by himself.”106 obsessed with the “end times,” joined the Keating left law practice in 1988 to run “New Age movement,” harbored an Catholic Answers full-time107 and in the “intense dislike of Christians” and became same year published Catholicism and a “devotee” of televangelist Gene Scott, Fundamentalism. Two years later, he who before his death in 2005 preached on replaced his Newsletter with the more not only the Gospels but also the sunken ambitious This Rock, which became the city of Atlantis, lost Celtic tribes and major vehicle for his writing. “God countless other such topics.

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Akin converted to Catholicism while science fiction and fantasy works and married to a Catholic, the late Renee obsessively refuted The Da Vinci Code and Humphrey. By his account, she held speculated anxiously about its filmed “many New Age beliefs” but he version’s chances for success. He has convinced her that reincarnation was riffed from an ultraorthodox, stridently false, and his initial insistence of the conservative perspective on such varied falsehood of Catholicism led her briefly subjects as the US Supreme Court and its to call herself Anglican before reverting members “Darth Ginsburg” and “Darth to Catholicism after their wedding. She Kennedy,” “Abortion and Battlestar appears to have been extremely Galactica,” Sunday mass obligation, the dependent on him—she had no driver’s permissibility of attending non-Catholic license, he says, and he refused to drive weddings, his weight-loss efforts and the her to mass—and gives her little credit for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. his conversion, which he attributes to study (“I noticed for the first time a Jimmy Akin has riffed on his blog on such varied structural feature in the text which subjects as the US Supreme Court and its members required that Peter be the rock…”) and to “problems with the two fundamental “Darth Ginsburg” and “Darth Kennedy.” doctrines of Protestantism: sola fide…and sola scriptura.” Before Akin converted, Akin occupies himself with tortuous he started acceding to his wife’s requests reflections on church hierarchy teaching, that he drive her to mass, and they were canon law and their application, seldom remarried in a Catholic ceremony. He making reference to the broad moral and hid from her his plan to convert—“I doctrinal themes that guide the lives of could not cruelly get her hopes up and ordinary Catholics. In September 2005, then disappoint her if I discovered some he provided an excellent example of his fatal flaw in Catholic teaching”—and superstitious legalism: worried that “people might think I was When I was first learning about the converting to please her.” He writes of Christian faith, I was a non-Trinitarian telling her he planned to convert, (not because of any organization “Ironically, I seemed more excited about teaching me to deny the Trinity, just it than she did.” He was received into the because I was still too green and church in an “emergency” rite beside her independent-minded). I came to deathbed.113 accept the doctrine, but in later years I Akin maintains a voluminous blog, to was not sure if I had done so before or which Catholic Answers’ catholic.com after my baptism, and it caused me no links prominently. He insists constantly end of worry. I’m pretty sure that I that it is his personal blog for legal was a Trinitarian at the time of my purposes—“what’s mine is mine,” he baptism, but just to make sure, I writes frequently in closing blog entries— insisted on a conditional baptism at the but refers often to Catholic Answers time I was received into the Catholic matters on the blog, invites blog readers Church…. This situation doesn’t arise to get involved in Catholic Answers because you didn’t understand the “secret projects” and has acknowledged Trinity or had a shaky acceptance of it blogging while at work. The blog reveals at the time of your baptism. It arises him to be a devotee of ultraconservative only because you had a history of economist Thomas Sowell, whom Akin prior, conscious rejection of the Trinity has more than once called a and are not sure if you were rejecting “supergenius,” and a general enthusiast it at the time of your baptism….114 for fads and trends in popular economics. Akin has held forth about the One is inevitably reminded of John Star Trek franchise and various other Cleese’s headmaster in Monty Python’s The

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Meaning of Life: “Those of you who are few years earlier based partially on the playing in the match this afternoon, idea that “Catholics didn’t have to figure move your clothes onto the lower peg things out for themselves; they just did immediately after lunch, before you write what the priests told them.” Although she your letters home, if you’re not having acknowledged that idea had been a your hair cut, unless you’ve got a “misunderstanding,” she added younger brother who is going out this counterfactually that Catholics “are free weekend as the guest of another boy, in of the doctrinal squabbles Protestants which case collect his note before suffer from and can trust the infallible lunch….” Akin, of course, is not joking. magisterium to teach them truth.”118

Raymond Ryland, board member, This Jason Evert, apologist Rock contributing editor Sexual morality specialist Evert writes Catholic priest Ryland, an Oklahoma books, mainly to promote sexual native and former Episcopal priest, abstinence, and travels the country converted to Catholicism along with his speaking to groups of teenagers in wife and five children in 1963. He is an schools. He has referred to the fact that adjunct professor at Franciscan condoms prevent disease transmission as University in Steubenville, Ohio, an “the biggest lie” in sex education.119 In assistant pastor at a Steubenville parish 2005, the student newspaper editor at and the chaplain of the Coming Home Berkley High School near Detroit Network and Catholics United for the complained, as paraphrased by the Faith.115 According to San Diego News Detroit News, that “sex education at Berkley, at least so far as he’s Jason Evert has referred to the fact that condoms prevent experienced it, is being handed over to disease transmission as “the biggest lie” in sex education. Evert”: The student editor, Gabe Downey, had received no sex education from the school’s faculty but now saw Notes, Ryland was a close adviser of late Evert—who says he was a virgin when at San Diego bishop Leo Maher when age 27 he met his future wife—invited to Maher in 1989 barred California promote abstinence. The News reported assemblywoman Lucy Killea from that about 300 of Berkley’s 1,300 students communion, becoming “the only United were expected to attend the talk.120 States bishop on record to have denied He holds undergraduate and graduate Holy Communion to a Catholic degrees from Franciscan University in politician who supports abortion.”116 Ohio. His wife, the former Crystalina [Other bishops have since announced Padilla, is also a Catholic Answers they would do so.] apologist and abstinence specialist, and the two frequently give speeches Michelle Arnold, apologist together. At this writing, they charge Arnold is a former Seventh-Day $1,800 for a joint speech and $1,300 for a Adventist and current Catholic who has speech by Jason Evert alone, plus travel worked for Catholic Answers since 2000 expenses.121 Jason Evert founded Catholic and volunteered for the organization Answers’ “chastity outreach program,” before that.117 She has criticized her the Pure Love Club.122 Both Everts are former church as “anti-Catholic” but members of the National Abstinence appears less stridently anti-ecumenical Clearinghouse board.123 than Catholic Answers’ leaders, writing for example that she has “little doubt” Tim Staples, apologist her Adventist great aunt “is in heaven.” Staples is a former Southern Baptist, Arnold in 1997 described having felt Assemblies of God youth minister and “strong tugs” to the Catholic church a US Marine who became Catholic in

18 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

1988 and spent six years in an ultimately “heartbreaking” that they responded by unsuccessful bid at the priesthood. The stating Jewish belief.129 She is at odds “Catholic Apologist Extraordinaire!” utterly with the Catholic hierarchy over from Virginia is a graduate of St. Charles how to view her ancestral faith: In 2002, Borromeo Seminary near Philadelphia when US Conference of Catholic and attended Mount St. Mary’s Seminary Bishops Jewish-relations chief Cardinal in Emmitsburg, Maryland. His basic fee William Keeler wrote that Jews carried a is $1,000 for a lecture on “the Real “divinely given mission” and that Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist Catholic attempts to convert them were using the text of John 6,” “what it means “no longer theologically acceptable,” to truly confront the ‘culture war’” or any Moss wrote the cardinal to convey her of numerous other topics.124 The Orange “considerable distress.” She rejected the County Register portrayed him in 2000 as hierarchy’s view that Jews could be saved a person who had been known to “kneel without converting to Christianity and before a TV set” broadcasting told Keeler his view was “opposed to the evangelical Protestant programming but temporal and spiritual welfare” of Jewish now moved himself to tears preaching people. “The Jewish people would be strict Catholicism—before taking another very pleased with this document,” she stage later in a muscle shirt to flex his wrote of Keeler’s reflections, but “one bulging biceps, bend a steel rod and day they will bow before” Jesus exhort a teenage audience, “Let’s give it (emphasis in original), “and in that day, up for Jesus!” Staples is 42,125 married we will hang our heads in shame.”130 with an infant son and lives in Southern California.126 Peggy Frye, apologist Frye is a former agnostic and Lutheran Rosalind Moss, apologist who recounts being “fascinated” as a girl Ex-corporate executive Moss by “Catholicism’s mysterious, almost converted in 1977 from Judaism to magical appeal.” She describes her evangelical Protestantism and in 1995 to involvement in “the ‘60s counterculture Catholicism. She became a Catholic movement” with its “sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ Answers staff apologist in 1999. The New roll” as having “opened a door to things Yorker’s apologetics activity includes a radio program, two shows on the Eternal Rosalind Moss has acknowledged interrupting the prayers Word Television Network and books of observant Jews who were hosting her for lunch to tell such as Home at Last: 11 Who Found Their Way to the Catholic Church. For $1,600, she them Jesus was the messiah. will speak on “the journey of ‘Howie’—a Hell’s Angels biker—who ‘found Christ,’” I wish I never knew existed,” and says on “how the family is not our idea, but that in 1974 she “had a moment of grace” God’s” or on “a whole family of saints while working for an insurance we rarely think of—from our Jewish company: “Some born-again Christians” beginnings!”127 As a guest in 2003 on a pressed on her a copy of C.S. Lewis’ radio program with a Protestant audience, Mere Christianity, which “for reasons I Moss told a caller Catholicism could not cannot fully explain, I felt compelled be “man’s doing” since it could “still exist to…read,” leading her to devout in unity after 2,000 years, while in less evangelical practice and 18 years later to than 500 years Protestantism has split Catholicism. Typical of Catholic Answers many thousands of times.”128 apologists, she sees “no middle ground” Moss has acknowledged interrupting between Catholic ultraorthodoxy and the prayers of observant Jews who were viewing Catholicism as “the greatest hosting her for lunch to tell them Jesus heresy in the history of the world.” was the messiah, and finding it “I…bent my knee to Rome,” she says,

19 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

and “accepted the faith under the Christina King, speaker teaching authority of the Church.”131 Catholic Answers speaker King is a sexual abstinence advocate from Mark Shea, speaker Wrightstown, Wisconsin. The University Seattle-based Shea is a former of Wisconsin-Stevens Point graduate evangelical Protestant and active Da Vinci markets a program she calls Pure Code antagonist who is on Catholic Freedom, speaking to groups of teenagers Answers’ roster of speakers. Among the for a fee of $800.136 She began giving $800 lectures he offers are several on speeches around her state in 1991 and at aspects of his conversion and one on how this writing, her Web site indicated she was college students should reject “tiresome 36 years old and married with seven PC twaddle” in favor of Catholic children.137 King has called it “defeatist” to “heroism.”132 He has been active in acknowledge that adolescents have sex. In running the Covenant Keepers, a Catholic an undated article from the Post-Crescent of version of the Promise Keepers masculine- Appleton, Wisconsin, that she features on Christianity group. He is senior content her Pure Freedom Web site, she is editor for Catholic Exchange, a Web site described as coming from a “broken out to “evangelize the world” through the home” and having endured “sexual abuse writings of such right-wing figures as Frank and teen pregnancy.” King is quoted in the Pavone and Chuck Colson,133 and he holds article as saying teen sex “can lead to forth voluminously on a personal blog and illnesses, shame and jealousy which, in a closely related Web site on which he turn, can lead to stalking and rage.”138 markets his speeches, writings and Phil Lenahan, speaker Mark Shea recommends that college students Lenahan is a Catholic Answers speaker should reject “tiresome PC twaddle” in favor of who in 2005 reduced his role with the organization to a part-time one after serving Catholic “heroism.” previously as Catholic Answers finance director, a position in which he earned recordings. The tone of these Web writings $170,000 in 2003. Early in his career, the is often patronizing and aggressive, as Southern Californian and California State when in 2006 Shea responded to a University, Fullerton graduate worked for reader’s acknowledgement that Shea the prefabricated housing and recreational “might have made somewhat of a point”: vehicle maker Fleetwood139 and the accounting firm Arthur Andersen.140 Note what you are doing here. Our Lenahan heads Veritas Financial Ministries, calling as Christians is to love the which says its mission is to develop truth, not just go around trying to “Stewards of Providence by equipping build up our egos by winning people to manage their personal finances arguments. The fact is, I didn’t just according to Catholic principles.”141 His ‘make somewhat of a point.’ I basic recommendations include tithing, demonstrated that the argument you saving and reducing debt and spending; he were making was fallacious. A lover of cites examples of people who began tithing truth will rejoice when a fallacious and soon got raises and promotions.142 argument is shown to be false…. A Catholic Answers, Veritas and Lenahan as lover of self will quickly brush past the of this writing are all touting his 2006 book disproof of a fallacious argument and 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free, look for new ways to WIN. Which are published by Our Sunday Visitor.143 you doing here? Think about it.134

Shea in 2003 reported having been Jim Burnham, speaker married 20 years and having four Burnham is an apologist and Catholic children, all sons.135 Answers speaker who contributes articles

20 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

to This Rock. He touts himself as include citrus aurantium extract for “internationally known” and, nearly two weight loss, vitamin pills and herbal decades after the fact, as the supplements promising various benefits, valedictorian of his graduating class at a CD called Build an International Business Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. Anytime, Anywhere, with Anybody and a He and his father in the 1990s founded Wellness International Network license San Juan Catholic Seminars, an plate frame. The company also offers apologetics group that produces books telephone, Internet and television and tapes.144 Burnham’s apologetics is services and a “discount health program” nearly indistinguishable from that of that it warns is “not insurance.”148 Akin and Keating, and he shares their melodramatic preoccupation with non- Jerry Usher, radio program director, Catholic critics of Catholicism and how Catholic Answers Live host to refute them. Catholic Answers Catholic Answers hired Usher as a describes one standard Burnham lecture consultant in 1997 after he had started a as revealing the “shocking truth” about Catholic radio station in Reno, Nevada. the scriptural basis of Catholic The Franciscan University graduate was institutions, in order to confound a Keating devotee who intended to “Fundamentalist” and “Evangelical” become a priest. Instead he became host opponents, and another as providing of Catholic Answers’ radio program ammunition to “target and refute” the Catholic Answers Live, which bought radio beliefs of Mormons whose “one goal” is to “pull you out of the Catholic Jim Burnham claims that the “one goal” of Mormons is to Church.”145 Burnham at this writing charges a basic speaking fee of $1,200, “pull you out of the Catholic Church.” according to Catholic Answers, or $1,800, according to the Covenant airtime and streamed its broadcast over Keepers masculine-Catholicism group. the Internet, and which he insisted would The latter, which touts him as a speaker, address “no politics, no sports and no says he has been married 11 years and soap opera.”149 As of 2003, the Buffalo has five children.146 News reported, the program was carried almost exclusively on specifically Catholic Marcellino D’Ambrosio, speaker stations. “We would be on any station that D’Ambrosio holds a Ph.D. in theology, would put us on,” Usher said.150 having written his Catholic University dissertation under the guidance of the Gary Walterscheid, fundraiser well-known theologian Cardinal Avery Visalia, California, resident Dulles. D’Ambrosio has taught at the Walterscheid was as of 2003 earning University of Dallas and published work $60,000 annually for contract work on in scholarly journals. His basic fee as a Catholic Answers solicitation letters. He Catholic Answers speaker is $1,200 for is an antichoice activist and general lectures with titles such as “Do Catholics social and economic conservative who Worship Mary?” “Who Needs has worked in advertising. The Alliance Confession?” and “Parenting as a Means for the Separation of School and State to Holiness.”147 D’Ambrosio’s Crossroads touts him, alongside such notables as Initiative markets his books, recordings Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan, and lectures, and its Web site refers as a “lay leader” who endorses readers to his Wellness International “liberating schools from political Network, a franchising venture offering influence.”151 herbal and other products sold mainly in An avid writer of letters to newspaper the $40-$60 range and pitched in editors, Walterscheid wrote the Los pseudoscientific jargon. The offerings Angeles Times in 1985 that a National

21 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

Donors Conference of Catholic Bishops pastoral letter was “absolutely a piece of trash” Republican former speaker of the US House of Representatives Tom Delay (TX) because the bishops supported “liberal” contributed $4,159 to Catholic Answers in two separate transactions during the economic policy rather than an 2003-04 electoral cycle. The DeLay transactions are the only reference to Catholic unfettered free market.152 He stepped up Answers that turns up in a search of the Center for Responsive Politics’ exhaustive his letter-writing in 2003, publishing at Web catalog of spending in US elections.158 least three letters in his local newspaper: Tax documents from 2002 provide a rare look at some other Catholic Answers donors. A few have found themselves in the public eye; generally, they are politically In January in the Visalia Times-Delta, he active conservatives and ultraorthodox Catholics. suggested pollsters employ the term “child-killing” instead of “abortion” to James Holman “focus people’s attention on the child San Diego Reader publisher Holman gave Catholic Answers $10,000 in 2002. instead of the mother’s so-called Holman in 2005 was the main financial backer of California’s Proposition 73, ‘rights’”153; in April, he decried golfers providing $1 million to promote the ultimately unsuccessful ballot measure, which who used US flag towels to wipe their would have required notification of parents of minors seeking abortion.159 As of this writing, Holman had provided another $2 million in 2006 to back a new version of the clubs, since “the flag was not meant to be 154 measure.160 Holman has been jailed for illegal abortion clinic protest, has been a rag” ; and in September, he blasted picketed for refusing to sell Reader advertisements to abortion providers—he has “God-haters” over the removal of a Ten also refused to accept personal ads from gays—and has given money to electoral Commandments monument from a state candidates who oppose abortion rights.161 The Association of Alternative building in Alabama, suggesting a Newsweeklies says the Reader, with a circulation of 170,000, is the largest completely unrelated Chicago murder publication of its kind in the country. Holman also publishes four ultraorthodox might not have happened if there had Catholic papers: La Cruz de California, published in Tijuana; San Diego News Notes, been more public displays of the which has prominently featured Catholic Answers on numerous occasions; Los commandments and asking whether Angeles Lay Catholic Mission; and San Francisco Faith.162 The Los Angeles Times “God-hating liberals and leftist attorneys” reported in 2005 that Holman has been called a “recluse and ultraconservative would be arguing the murderer’s case ideologue” but that his friends, the closest of which include priests, “say that portrait 155 is off the mark.” He grew up near Los Angeles, attended Carleton College in before God. Minnesota and served in the US Navy.163 Patrick Madrid, former vice president John Wakelin Madrid left Catholic Answers in 1995, Poway, California, resident Wakelin donated $10,000 to Catholic Answers in 2002. saying, “A lot of my energy was spent on His wife, Jan Wakelin, has reviewed books for Catholic Answers’ This Rock. John Wakelin is a trustee of the new John Paul the Great Catholic University in San administrative duties.” The Southern Diego,164 which began recruiting students in late 2005 and opened its first building in California native remains a Catholic early 2006.165 The retired US Army brigadier general served as a communications Answers-aligned apologist, publishing deputy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff before leaving the military to work in Army Envoy magazine from his home in Ohio.156 research at the defense contracting behemoth Science Applications International At this writing, the magazine’s Web site Corporation.166 featured a fawning profile of Keating, an article debunking “the myth of overpopulation,” “a step-by-step explanation of why two men or two women cannot be married” and a series of “top ten lists” from Madrid (“Orthodox Catholic Pickup Lines…. 8. Sorry, but I couldn’t help but noticing how cute you look in that ankle-length, shapeless, plaid jumper. 7. What’s a nice girl like you doing at a First Saturday Rosary Cenacle like this?...”). A graduate of the University of Phoenix, an online and part-time institution for students in the working world, Madrid is behind the Surprised by Truth series of books and other materials about converts to Catholicism. He has

22 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

also been a leader of the Covenant Donors continued Keepers, a Catholic version of the better- known Promise Keepers.157 Charles LiMandri Litigator and Catholic Answers donor LiMandri is the West Coast director of the conservative Christian, antichoice Thomas More Law Center. In 2004 and 2005, he FINANCES won the Ronald Reagan gold medal for service to the national Republican Party. As of this writing he was leading the opposition to a court’s order that San Diego remove a 29-foot cross from public land. LiMandri has served as president of the San Diego In 2004, the last year for which tax chapter of the exclusive conservative-Catholic business executives’ group Legatus, returns were available, Catholic Answers and he has appeared on Fox News as a legal expert. The San Diego native’s law firm, took in revenue of a little more than the Law Offices of Charles S. LiMandri, works throughout Southern California.167 $6 million, of which more than half came LiMandri is a graduate of the University of San Diego and Georgetown University Law from contributions and the rest from Center. He and his wife Barbara LiMandri gave $5,000 to Catholic Answers in 2002. sales, consulting, seminars and the like. Ivan Garcia Revenue from all activities increased Garcia is the sole Maryland physician listed by One More Soul among doctors who substantially in 2004, bumping up refuse to prescribe or perform, or even refer patients for prescription or performance overall revenue by $1.35 million over of, contraception, sterilization, in vitro fertilization and abortion168; it seems unlikely 2003, which in turn was an increase of that, as an ophthalmologist, he has much occasion to refuse such care. The $1.2 million over 2002. Sales of products University of Puerto Rico graduate’s home-schooled daughter in 2004 won the Miss accounted for about 65 percent of Maryland Pre-Teen pageant and was reported on that occasion to pray the rosary Catholic Answers’ non-contribution daily.169 Garcia gave Catholic Answers $6,000 in 2002. revenue. The group paid $657,500 in Ronald Wolf 2004 for goods on which it turned a Wolf is a lumber company vice president who lives just outside Pittsburgh. He $1.56 million profit. contributed at least $2,500 to Republican US presidential and congressional Total expenses for 2004 were $6.16 campaigns in 2004 and gave Catholic Answers $5,000 in 2002. million, of which $3.8 million went for program services, $577,000 for management and $1.77 million for fundraising. Catholic Answers told the IRS it spent $1.18 million to distribute books, tapes and similar products; $587,000 on printing and publications; $187,000 on “special projects”; $162,000 on list rental; $156,000 on advertising; and $60,000 for radio air time. Salaries and wages, with associated benefits and taxes, cost Catholic Answers about $2.53 million in 2004, accounting for more than two-fifths of total spending. The organization’s upper echelon was paid handsomely. Keating received $207,900, treasurer Philip Lenahan $190,000, director of development Frank Norris $163,400 and Akin $113,900; 11 employees earned more than $50,000. The largest program service expense other than salaries was $1,184,000 for postage and shipping. It is not yet clear what effect the establishment of Catholic Answers Action will have on Catholic Answers’ finances. Keating announced Catholic Answers Action with hat in hand, asking

23 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

supporters in April 2006 to provide what sneer at women’s equality, write vicious he portrayed as urgently needed funds: tirades against gays, demonize Muslims and belittle other faiths, just to give a few We already have employees who are examples. The group is not likely to working, in part, for [Catholic Answers produce anything like the mass Action]. We already are incurring conversion and reconversion to its brand printing and other expenses on its of Catholicism that it hopes for. While behalf…. But we have no funds to pay awaiting such a conversion, Catholic these employees or to pay these Answers appears content to advocate a vendors because, at the moment, Catholic quasi-separatism, in which Catholic Answers Action has a bank Catholics spend their money among account but no money of its own…. themselves and heavily filter cultural Under the law we aren’t allowed productions. to transfer any money to it from The main activity of Keating, Akin and Catholic Answers. their acolytes is producing endless flows Keating asked his “best supporters” to of text that amount to wishing the world provide a total of $200,000, since “we were other than it is. They do not stop need quick start-up money.”170 there, however: Catholic Answers has risked its charity tax status in conducting electoral activity that seems to encourage CONCLUSION support for Republicans. The group’s leaders’ positions on issues are nearly Catholic Answers is an antimodern and always aligned with the Republican ultraorthodox refuge for nostalgic Party, in particular its right wing. lifelong Catholics and, more frequently Now, the organization has been forced where its staff is concerned, for converts to account for its inappropriate to Catholicism who seek absolute electioneering by embarking on a authority to which to submit. Although financially perilous restructuring in the Catholic hierarchy has modernized response to an intense IRS investigation. far less than many other mainstream Whether Catholic Answers Action’s work Christian denominations, it has still done to influence elections will be deemed an so to a degree that is unacceptable to allowable primary activity for a 501(c)(4) Catholic Answers Catholics. The is more than doubtful. For the time organization’s leaders have been known, being, though, Keating has bought after all, literally to mourn the defeats of himself a little more time in his quixotic the Crusades. quest to remake America in his The organization’s leaders are far out ultraorthodox Catholic image, one tiny of step with mainstream America. They step at a time.

24 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

Notes 19 Karl Keating to supporters, April 1, 2006, 33 Jimmy Akin, “The Passion of the President,” July http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option= 6, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=73 defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed 1 Jimmy Akin, “‘It Is As It Was’—Was It?” February (accessed July 18, 2006). July 25, 2006). 26, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed 20 A 501(c)(4) may set up a separate 527 fund for 34 Jimmy Akin, “Red vs. Blue,” October 3, 2004, July 25, 2006). electoral activities, but this possibility only comes http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ into play if the 501(c)(4) is a valid organization moral_theology/index.html (accessed July 25, 2 GuideStar, “Catholic Answers, Inc.,” under section 501(c)(4) in the first place— 2006). http://www.guidestar.org/pqShowGsReport.do?n including by conducting a primary activity that is opId=1778 (accessed July 17, 2006). not electoral in nature. Catholic Answers Action 35 Jimmy Akin, “Of Crises Past,” October 31, 2004, has announced no non-electoral activities at all. http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ 3 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” history/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp 21 John Francis Reilly and Barbara A. Braig Allen, (accessed July 17, 2006). “Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities of 36 Jimmy Akin, “The Passion of the President,” July IRC 501 (c) (4), (c) (5), and (c) (6) 6, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 4 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” Organizations,” Exempt Organizations-Technical defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp Instruction Program for FY 2003, Washington: July 25, 2006). (accessed July 17, 2006). Internal Revenue Service, 2003. 37 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum 5 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum 22 Raymond Chick and Amy Henchey, “Political Corda!, Spring 1996. Corda! , Spring 1996. Organizations and IRC 501(c)(4),” Exempt Organizations-Technical Instruction Program for 38 Pure Love Club, “Welcome to the Club,” 6 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum FY 1995, Washington: Internal Revenue Service, http://www.pureloveclub.com/index.php Corda! , Spring 1996. 1995. (accessed July 14, 2006). 7 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum 23 John Francis Reilly, Carter C. Hull and Barbara 39 Pure Love Club, “Chastity Q&A: What’s the Corda! , Spring 1996. A. Braig Allen, “IRC 501 (c) (4) Organizations,” Difference Between Dating and Courtship?” Exempt Organizations-Technical Instruction Program http://www.pureloveclub.com/chastity/index.php 8 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” for FY 2003, Washington: Internal Revenue ?id=7&entryid=42 (accessed July 14, 2006). http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp Service, 2003. (accessed July 17, 2006). 40 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” 24 Karl Keating to supporters, April 1, 2006, http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp 9 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option= (accessed July 17, 2006). http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=73 (accessed July 17, 2006). (accessed July 18, 2006). 41 Jimmy Akin, “Secret Projects Update,” August 1, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ 10 Karl Keating, “Starting Out,” This Rock, January 25 Jimmy Akin, “MP3 Bleg,” http://jimmyakin. fidei/work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 1990. typepad.com/defensor_fidei/work/index.html (accessed August 7, 2006). 42 Jimmy Akin, “When It Rains, It Pours,” 11 Karl Keating to supporters, April 1, 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/20 http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option= 26 Jimmy Akin, “Big Gifts Vs. Little Bureaucracies,” 06/07/when_it_rains_i.html (accessed August 9, com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=73 May 16, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 2006). (accessed July 18, 2006). defensor_fidei/economics/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). 43 Jimmy Akin, “Secret Project #4,” June 7, 2006, 12 Catholic Answers, “Voter’s Guide for Serious http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ Catholics,” advertisement, USA Today, October 27 Jimmy Akin, “Is The Holocaust To Be Shortened work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 12, 2004. Or Extended?” September 10, 2004, http://www.jimmyakin.org/2004/09/is_the_ 44 Jimmy Akin, “Secret Project #4 Update,” July 7, 13 “Catholic Group Responds to IRS Complaint holocaus.html (accessed July 25, 2006). 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ By Forming New Group,” OMB Watch, July 11, fidei/work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 2006. 28 Jimmy Akin, “Our Robed Masters Get Into Your Wallet,” March 23, 2005, http://jimmyakin. 45 Jimmy Akin, “Helping With Secret Project #4!” 14 Catholic Answers Action, Voter’s Guide for Serious typepad.com/defensor_fidei/law/index.html July 12, 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ Catholics, San Diego: Catholic Answers Action, (accessed July 25, 2006). defensor_fidei/work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006. 2006). 29 Jimmy Akin, “Heads Up, Canucks!” January 7, 15 Catholic Answers Action, Voter’s Guide for Serious 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 46 Karl Keating to supporters, April 1, 2006, Catholics, San Diego: Catholic Answers Action, defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option= 2006. July 26, 2006). com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=73 (accessed July 18, 2006). 16 Judith E. Kindell and John Francis Reilly, 30 Jimmy Akin, “Ex Post Facto Laws By Another “Election Year Issues,” IRS Continuing Professional Name,” May 4, 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 47 Catholic Answers, Voter’s Guide for Serious Education Manual for FY 2002, p. 345. defensor_fidei/law/index.html (accessed July 25, Catholics, El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers, 2004. 2006). 17 Catholic Answers Action, “Q: Why Now?” 48 Jimmy Akin, “Why Have Babies?” February 14, http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option= 31 Jimmy Akin, “Revenge of the Easter Bunny!” 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=66 May 12, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ fidei/theology/index.html (accessed July 26, (accessed July 18, 2006). defensor_fidei/economics/index.html (accessed 2006). July 25, 2006). 18 Catholic Answers Action, “Q: Why a separate 49 Catholic Answers, Voter’s Guide for Serious organization?” http://www.caaction.com/ 32 Jimmy Akin, “HOLLYWOOD: Michael Moore Catholics, El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers, 2004. index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= Failed to Make Best Picture,” January 26, 2005, 11&Itemid=66 (accessed July 17, 2006). http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ 50 Michael Rust and David Wagner, “Dumbing film_and_tv/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). Down God,” Insight on the News, June 1, 1998.

25 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

51 Michelle Arnold, “Bad Patch Job,” September 15, 69 Jimmy Akin, “Convalidation Questions,” June 86 Jimmy Akin, “JP2 and the Quran,” April 6, 2006, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ 21, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ fidei/law/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). defensor_fidei/sacraments/index.html (accessed islam/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). July 26, 2006). 52 Jimmy Akin, “Condoms & HIV/AIDS,” May 2, 87 Jimmy Akin, “A Triumph and a Tragedy,” 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 70 Adelle Banks, “Defenders of Faith Explain http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/triumph.htm defensor_fidei/moral_theology/index.html Catholicism, Often to Churchgoers,” Orlando (accessed July 31, 2006). (accessed July 25, 2006). Sentinel, March 9, 1991. 88 Karl Keating, “Crystal Craziness,” This Rock, 53 Catholic Answers, Voter’s Guide for Serious 71 “Letters,” This Rock, December 1994. April 1990. Catholics, El Cajon, CA: Catholic Answers, 2004. 72 Rod Dreher, “TV abbess scourge of Catholic 89 “Special Cruise Section,” Atlanta Journal- 54 Karl Keating, “The ‘Gay’ Priest Solution,” This liberals,” Washington Times, April 25, 1994. Constitution, February 13, 2005. Rock, May-June 2004. 73 Steve Schmidt, “Prop. 22 drives a wedge among 90 Michelle Arnold, “One Nation Under…Christ?” 55 Jimmy Akin, “Gay Parents Threedux,” January religious groups,” San Diego Union-Tribune, March October 25, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 20, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 4, 2000. defensor_fidei/government/index.html (accessed defensor_fidei/homosexuality/index.html July 25, 2006). (accessed July 25, 2006). 74 Jimmy Akin, “SpongeBob GaySquarePants,” February 7, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad. 91 Jimmy Akin, “Party Lifestyle Syndrome,” 56 Jimmy Akin, “The Fall of Constantinople,” com/defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html March 9, 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ May 29, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ (accessed July 25, 2006). defensor_fidei/moral_theology/index.html defensor_fidei/history/index.html (accessed July (accessed July 25, 2006). 25, 2006). 75 Jimmy Akin, “Frances ‘Quisling’ Attacks Catholic Answers,” September 22, 2004, http://jimmyakin. 92 Tim Drake, “Diplomatic Corps,” Envoy, 5.2. 57 Jimmy Akin, “Growing Up,” March 29, 2006, typepad.com/defensor_fidei/work/index.html http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ (accessed July 26, 2006). 93 Karl Keating, “Burden of History,” This Rock, islam/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). March 2000. 76 Jimmy Akin, “Journalist Increases Own Chance 58 Karl Keating to supporters, undated letter. of Going To Hell,” October 19, 2004, 94 Karl Keating, “Swing and Miss,” This Rock, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ November 2000. 59 Jimmy Akin, “The ‘Act of the Devil’ Clause,” work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ 95 Karl Keating, “Swing and Miss,” This Rock, the_pope/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 77 Jimmy Akin, “Clueless Lefty Defends Hollywood November 2000. Elite,” December 17, 2004, http://jimmyakin. 60 Akin worries that Vatican documents contain no typepad.com/defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/ 96 Jimmy Akin, “‘It Is As It Was’—Was It?” February provision for ensuring papal continuity after such index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). 26, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ an attack—adding ominously, “That we know defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed of”—and predicts that were it to happen, 78 Karl Keating, “Anti-Catholic Animus,” This Rock, July 25, 2006). surviving cardinals would elect a new pope “but February 2004. innumerable individuals for centuries would be 97 Karl Keating, “A Whiff of Novelty,” This Rock, tormented by doubts about whether the election 79 Terry Mattingly, “American Catholics are February 2000. of the new pope and his successor was valid.” Finding New Foes and New Friends,” Knoxville (TN) News-Sentinel, March 5, 1994. 98 Jimmy Akin, “Spiritual Headship,” April 15, 2004, 61 Jimmy Akin, “War and Capital Punishment,” http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ This Rock, March 2005. 80 Jimmy Akin, “‘Who Are These People And Why moral_theology/index.html (accessed July 25, Do I Care?’” May 23, 2006, http://jimmyakin. 2006). 62 Jimmy Akin, “Journalist Increases Own Chance typepad.com/defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/ Of Going To Hell,” October 19, 2004, index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). 99 Karl Keating, “The ‘Gay’ Priest Solution,” This http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_fidei/ Rock, May-June 2004. work/index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 81 Karl Keating, “Offshoots of Offshoots,” This Rock, December 2000. 100 Jimmy Akin, “GAY MAG: ‘How Gay Is 63 Jeremy Lott, “Terror weapons, just war,” Citizens Superman?’” June 5, 2006, http://jimmyakin. Centre Report, February 17, 2003. 82 Michelle Arnold, “The Anglican Solution,” July typepad.com/defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/ 28, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). 64 Jimmy Akin, “‘My Object All Sublime,” May 31, defensor_fidei/homosexuality/index.html 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ (accessed July 25, 2006). 101 Jimmy Akin, “SpongeBob GaySquarePants,” fidei/law/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). February 7, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 83 Jimmy Akin, “Attending Invalid Baptisms,” defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html 65 Jimmy Akin, “Miranda Or Caliban?” June 13, June 26, 2006, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ (accessed July 25, 2006). 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/defensor_ defensor_fidei/moral_theology/index.html fidei/law/index.html (accessed July 25, 2006). (accessed July 25, 2006). 102 Karl Keating, “A Dark Night Coming,” This Rock, December 2005. 66 Tim Jones, “All the Right Enemies,” December 84 Jimmy Akin, “Rehearsal & Reception Attendance,” 7, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ June 23, 2005, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ 103 “Karl Keating,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia. defensor_fidei/the_pope/index.html (accessed defensor_fidei/moral_theology/index.html org/wiki/Karl_Keating (accessed July 24, 2006). July 26, 2006). (accessed July 25, 2006). 104 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” 67 Tim Korte, “Catholics Renew Defense of Faith,” 85 Jimmy Akin, “Criticisms of The Passion,” February http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp Associated Press, September 27, 1997. 25, 2004, http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/ (accessed July 17, 2006). defensor_fidei/film_and_tv/index.html (accessed 68 Michael Rust and David Wagner, “Dumbing July 25, 2006). 105 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum Down God,” Insight on the News, June 1, 1998. Corda! , Spring 1996.

26 CATHOLIC ANSWERS: SCORNING MAN’S LAWS, TWISTING GOD’S

106 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum 126 Crossroads Initiative, “Tim Staples,” 145 Catholic Answers, “Jim Burnham,” Corda! , Spring 1996. http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_ http://www.catholic.com/seminars/burnham.asp author/46/Tim_Staples.html (accessed August 4, (accessed August 3, 2006). 107 Catholic Answers, “About Catholic Answers,” 2006). http://www.catholic.com/home/about.asp 146 Covenant Keepers, “Jim Burnham,” (accessed July 17, 2006). 127 Catholic Answers, “Rosalind Moss,” http://www.dads.org/jimburnham.asp (accessed http://www.catholic.com/seminars/moss.asp August 4, 2006). 108 Karl Keating, “Starting Out,” This Rock, January (accessed August 3, 2006). 1990. 147 Catholic Answers, “Marcellino D’Ambrosio,” 128 Rosalind Moss, “When Heaven Can Wait,” http://www.catholic.com/seminars/ambrosio.asp 109 Adelle Banks, “Defenders of Faith Explain This Rock, July-August 2003. (accessed August 3, 2006). Catholicism, Often to Churchgoers,” Orlando Sentinel, March 9, 1991. 129 Rosalind Moss, “From the Heart of a Hebrew 148 Wellness International Network, “Consumer Catholic,” This Rock, April 2004. Services,” http://www.winltdusa.com/ 110 Karl Keating, “Up Front,” This Rock, December quicklinks/services/services.htm (accessed 1992. 130 Rosalind Moss, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…,” August 4, 2006). This Rock, October 2002. 111 Jimmy Akin, “Who is this James Akin guy, 149 Tim Ryland, “No Politics, No Sports, No Soap anyway?” http://www.cin.org/users/james/ 131 Peggy Frye, “Finding Mere Catholicism,” This Opera,” San Diego News Notes, July-August 1998. whois.htm (accessed July 31, 2006). Rock, November 2005. 150 Fletcher Doyle, “Catholic Talk-Radio Host to 112 Catholic Answers, “Jimmy Akin,” 132 Catholic Answers, “Mark Shea,” Push Local Campaign,” Buffalo News, May 10, http://www.catholic.com/media/akin.asp http://www.catholic.com/seminars/shea.asp 2003. (accessed July 25, 2006). (accessed August 3, 2006). 151 Alliance for the Separation of School and State, 113 Jimmy Akin, “A Triumph and a Tragedy,” 133 Catholic Exchange, “About Catholic Exchange,” “Catholics and School Liberation,” http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/ http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/PFarticle http://honestedu.org/sig/catholic.php (accessed triumph.htm (accessed July 31, 2006). .asp?vm_id=61&art_id=8393&sec_id=19725 August 31, 2006). (accessed August 4, 2006). 114 Jimmy Akin, “Conditional Baptism Needed?” 152 Gary Walterscheid, “‘Bishops and Economics,’” September 27, 2005, http://jimmyakin. 134 Mark Shea, “The Insolence of Youth,” letter to the editor, Los Angeles Times, November typepad.com/defensor_fidei/sacraments/ http://markshea.blogspot.com (accessed August 3, 1985. index.html (accessed July 26, 2006). 4, 2006). 153 Gary Walterscheid, “Abortion,” letter to the 115 Catholic Answers, “Father Ray Ryland,” 135 Mark Shea, “About Mark P. Shea,” editor, Visalia (CA) Times-Delta, January 20, http://www.catholic.com/media/ryland.asp http://www.mark-shea.com/about_f.html 2003. (accessed July 26, 2006). (accessed August 4, 2006). 154 Gary Walterscheid, “Golf,” letter to the editor, 116 Robert Kumpel, “Maher’s Moment,” San Diego 136 Catholic Answers, “Christina King,” Visalia (CA) Times-Delta, April 28, 2003. News Notes, January 2004. http://www.catholic.com/seminars/king.asp (accessed August 3, 2006). 155 Gary Walterscheid, “Commandments,” letter to 117 Michelle Arnold, “About a blogger…,” the editor, Visalia (CA) Times-Delta, September 3, http://www.jimmyakin.org/2005/03/about_a_ 137 Pure Freedom, “Our Message,” 2003. blogger.html (accessed August 1, 2006). http://www.gotruth.com/king/our_message.html (accessed August 4, 2006). 156 Doug Bean, “From Granville Base, Writer and 118 Michelle Arnold, “Because He Loves Me,” This Activist Promotes Catholic Faith,” Columbus Rock, May 1997. 138 Maija Penikis, untitled article, Appleton (WI) Dispatch, August 2, 2002. Post-Crescent, http://www.gotruth.com/ 119 Karen Goulart, “Some Eyes Were Opened,” king/body_words_to_encourge.html (accessed 157 Joe Woodard, “What God hath joined together,” Quincy (MA) Patriot Ledger, March 7, 2005. August 4, 2006). British Columbia Report, March 9, 1998.

120 Laura Berman, “‘Romance’ talk at Berkley 139 Tim Ryland, “Keating for the Defense,” Sursum 158 Center for Responsive Politics, “Tom Delay,” school creates controversy,” Detroit News, Corda! , Spring 1996. http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/ December 15, 2005. expendetail.asp?CID=N00005892&cycle=2004 140 Veritas Financial Ministries, “About Phil,” &name=Catholic+Answers (accessed July 21, 121 Catholic Answers, “Jason Evert,” http://www.veritasfinancialministries.com/ 2006). http://www.catholic.com/media/evert.asp about_phil.asp (accessed August 1, 2006). (accessed August 1, 2006). 159 Jenifer Warren, “Publisher Pushes One Issue 141 Veritas Financial Ministries, “About Veritas,” Above All Others: Abortion,” Los Angeles Times, 122 Pure Love Club, “About Us,” http://www.veritasfinancialministries.com October 17, 2005. http://www.pureloveclub.com/purelove/ /about_veritas.asp (accessed August 1, 2006). index.php?id=46 (accessed August 1, 2006). 160 Peter Hecht, “Big donor revives abortion 142 Phil Lenahan, “Restoring the Kingship of Christ notification initiative,” Sacramento Bee, May 22, 123 Pure Love Club, “About Us,” to Your Finances,” Family Life Center 2006. http://www.pureloveclub.com/purelove/ International, http://www.faithandfamily.net/ index.php?id=46 (accessed August 1, 2006). article.asp?artId=103 (accessed August 1, 2006). 161 Jenifer Warren, “Publisher Pushes One Issue Above All Others: Abortion,” Los Angeles Times, 124 Catholic Answers, “Tim Staples,” 143 Veritas Financial Ministries, “About Veritas,” October 17, 2005. http://www.catholic.com/seminars/staples.asp http://www.veritasfinancialministries.com/ (accessed August 3, 2006). about_veritas.asp (accessed August 1, 2006). 162 Jim Holman, “La Cruz de California,” http://www.lacrusdecal.com (accessed August 3, 125 Theresa Walker, “Catholic convert exudes 144 Covenant Keepers, “Jim Burnham,” 2006). energy,” Orange County (CA) Register, July 31, http://www.dads.org/jimburnham.asp (accessed 2000. August 4, 2006).

27 OPPOSITION NOTES • AN INVESTIGATIVE SERIES

163 Jenifer Warren, “Publisher Pushes One Issue Above All Others: Abortion,” Los Angeles Times, CATHOLICS FOR A FREE CHOICE October 17, 2005.

164 John Paul the Great Catholic University, “Board of Trustees,” http://www.jpcatholic.com/ Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) shapes and advances sexual and reproductive about/trustees.php (accessed August 1, 2006). ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women’s well-being and 165 John Paul the Great Catholic University, “JP respect and affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make sound Catholic News Center,” http://www.jpcatholic. decisions about their lives. Through discourse, education and advocacy, CFFC com/news/news.php (accessed August 1, 2006). works in the United States and internationally to infuse these values into public 166 John Paul the Great Catholic University, “Board policy, community life, feminist analysis and Catholic social thinking and teaching. of Trustees,” http://www.jpcatholic.com/ about/trustees.php (accessed August 1, 2006). PRESIDENT For further information, please 167 Law Offices of Charles S. LiMandri, “Charles S. Frances Kissling contact: LiMandri,” http://www.limandrilaw.com/ Bio/CharlesLiMandri.asp (accessed August 4, Catholics for a Free Choice 2006). EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Jon O’Brien 1436 U Street NW, Suite 301 168 One More Soul, “NFP-Only Directory— Washington, DC 20009 USA Maryland,” http://www.omsoul.com/ T: +1 (202) 986 6093 nfpbyst.php?st=MD (accessed August 4, 2006). BOARD OF DIRECTORS F: +1 (202) 332 7995 Marysa Navarro-Aranguren, Ph.D. 169 Seton Home Study School, “Seton Student W: www.catholicsforchoice.org chairperson Achievements,” http://www.setonhome.org/ E: [email protected] news/default.php (accessed August 4, 2006). Sheila Briggs, M.A. Patricia Carbine 170 Karl Keating to supporters, April 1, 2006, http://www.caaction.com/index.php?option=co Barbara DeConcini m_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=73 Susan Farrell, Ph.D. (accessed July 18, 2006). Cheryl A. Francisconi, MSW Ofelia Garcia, Ph.D. Kate Michelman Eileen Moran Rosemary Radford Ruether, Ph.D. Albert George Thomas, MD Marian Stewart Titus Peter Wilderotter, B.A. Susan Wysocki

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