Also, the Colorado bishops’ statement resulted from a Personhood Amendment supporter who publicly claimed the amendment had the bishops’ personal support. Being prominent figures, they certainly have to pick their actions carefully and so needed to clarify their opinion.

As I see it, had that supporter not tried to use the bishops’ alleged private support as a public talking point, the clarification would not have been need to be made. He caused needless controversy.

As a Coloradoan, I’ve been concerned about the group backing the measure. They’ve been touting the youth of their 21-year-old leader, as if that is supposed to reassure people.

But their achievement of 100,000 signatures certainly surprised me. I wish them success.

Quoting from the Longmont Times-Call:
“Meanwhile, the Colorado Catholic Conference plans to soon release a public statement, said the Rev. Frank Maroney of St. Francis of Assisi in Longmont. Though the Roman Catholic Church is “totally committed to the defense of human life, from conception to natural death,” the state’s three bishops are concerned that “the amendment’s language may be open to misinterpretation as well as substantial legal challenges.”

“It’s an interesting issue,” Maroney said. “You have a number of pro-life organizations around the country that would normally favor anything to end abortion, but are kind of splitting this year on the idea of a personhood amendment, at least the way Colorado is approaching it.

“The bishops and the church (are) committed to protecting human life. We’re just not sure if this is the best strategy for doing that at this time,” he said.”
http://www.timescall.com/faith/Faith-Story.asp?id=9063