News Articles from the 2004 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

April 28, 2004

Politicians talk faith at inaugural Catholic prayer breakfast

An inaugural National Catholic Prayer Breakfast April 28 drew about 1,000 participants to hear politicians talk about the influence of faith in their lives and a cardinal discuss the need to battle the "moral vacuum" of contemporary society.

Organizers said the event likely will have raised around $100,000 for the two charities it will benefit, the Religious Sisters of Life and Peter's Pence, Pope John Paul II's private charity.

Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., challenged the audience to "do something heroic ... something countercultural," and get closer to God to hear what he wants done.

"I believe God speaks in whispers and you will not know what his will is unless you are close (to him)," he said. "He is calling, let me assure you, he is calling." Click here to read more.

April 28, 2004

Prayer breakfast brings 'faithful Catholics' together

April 28 was a day for Washington Catholics, particularly those of a conservative political bent, to celebrate their faith. The occasion was the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, an event its sponsors hope to make an annual occurrence.

It was fitting that Cardinal Avery Dulles -- son of Dwight Eisenhower's secretary of state -- was the principal celebrant at the opening mass and keynote speaker at the breakfast, which drew more than 1,000 attendees.

No political bombs were dropped and there was no Kerry-bashing from the podium. It was clear, however, that this crowd was not one to buy the distinctions between personal faith and public policy that Kerry invokes when questioned about his Catholicism.

The steering committee that put the event together includes Bill Saunders of the Family Research Council, Joseph Cella, president of the Ave Maria Fund, a political action committee supported by Domino's Pizza magnate Tom Monaghan, and Austin Ruse, president of Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute. Click here to read more.

April 28, 2004

Catholic breakfast draws officials

The first National Catholic Prayer Breakfast drew an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 yesterday, including several members of Congress who used the occasion to reinforce the denomination's stance on hot-button political issues.

However, a few politicians who spoke at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel admitted to some inner turmoil.

"I'm a publicly elected official who's a Catholic and a Democrat," said Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan. "It seems that in recent weeks that we've been confused as to which comes first: a Catholic Democrat or a Democrat who's a Catholic. Depending on how you look at it, it can be both a blessing or a curse."

His father, Mr. Stupak said, "would often say, 'Bart, always remember that the bum on the street may be your boss tomorrow.' No truer words were ever spoken for those of us who choose to serve in elected office." Click here to read more.