(LifeSiteNews) — A traditional Catholic lawmaker in Michigan is pushing back against the state’s Catholic Conference (MCC) after the group announced that two pro-abortion Democrats would co-chair its official legislative caucus.
GOP State Representative Jim DeSana granted reporter Stephen Kokx an exclusive interview on Wednesday to speak out against the decision.
“I feel it is problematic and even scandalous for me as a Catholic state representative to participate in an event that legitimizes and condones someone taking such a public stance on a core tenet of Catholic belief,” DeSana said.
“A politician who has taken a public stance and voted to uphold the legalized killing of unborn children and is unrepentant of that stance and belief cannot in good conscience approach our Lord’s Body and Blood without creating true conflict with Christ’s teaching,” he added.
MCC had announced on a flyer that the four co-chairs of its newly formed “Legislative Catholic Caucus” would include Republican Rep. Ann Bollin, Republican Senator Dan Lauwers, and pro-abortion Democrats Rep. Will Snyder and Rep. Angela Witwer. The flyer also said there would be a Mass offered at MCC’s headquarters in Lansing on Tuesday, October 14. Persons interested in RSVPing for the event were asked to email MCC staffer Karah May at [email protected].
DeSana was first elected in November 2022. He currently has 14 grandchildren. His father, James DeSana Sr., was a state senator from 1976 until 1986. He previously coordinated a Eucharistic procession in on Capitol grounds in 2022 when lawmakers voted to expand abortion access.
— Stephen Kokx (@StephenKokx) December 7, 2022
DeSana said that MCC’s decision to welcome Snyder and Witwer as co-chairs and to have them at the inaugural Mass is particularly scandalous.
“Several Catholic legislators pray a Rosary in the Cathedral as a group, and all of our colleagues who are baptized Catholics are most welcome to join us without any hesitancy,” DeSana said. “However, receiving Holy Communion requires every Catholic to be in full union with the teachings and magisterium of the Catholic Church.”
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Catholic teaching affirms that abortion ends the life of an unborn child. It also asserts that there are only two sexes, male and female, and that gender ideology and same-sex attraction are inherently disordered.
Since assuming office, both Snyder and Witwer have routinely voted for pro-abortion legislation.
Watchdog group “MI Choice Tracker” previously praised Witwer as someone who will “protect abortion rights.” In 2020, Witwer received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. The group stated that she would not only “fight back against attacks on reproductive rights” but “support accurate, comprehensive sex education programs for young Michiganders.”
Snyder, meanwhile, was given a “100% Pro-Equality” endorsement from an LGBT group in 2022.
🚨Endorsement Alert🚨
I am excited to announce the endorsement of Equality Michigan. Equality Michigan has done excellent work fighting for LGTBQ rights here in Michigan.#WinWithWill pic.twitter.com/nfuTGFmEle
— Will Snyder (@SkeetownSnyder) June 30, 2022
Snyder also bragged in a 2023 X post that he voted to repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban.
“I voted today to repeal the outdated 1931 abortion ban. House Democrats are listening to Michiganders and making sure that our state’s laws reflect the will of the people. I trust women, plain and simple, and Michigan voters spoke loud and clear with the passing of Prop 3,” he said.
I voted today to repeal the outdated 1931 abortion ban. House Democrats are listening to Michiganders and making sure that our state’s laws reflect the will of the people. I trust women, plain and simple, and Michigan voters spoke loud and clear with the passing of Prop 3. pic.twitter.com/nBy2FX0fk8
— Will Snyder (@SkeetownSnyder) March 2, 2023
The Michigan Catholic Conference was established in the 1960s. Its current chair is Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger. Lansing Bishop Earl Boyea is its vice-chairman. Weisenburger has ran afoul of conservative and traditional-minded Catholics over the past several months since firing three professors at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and after canceling Latin Masses across the archdiocese.
DeSana said he hopes MCC’s decision to name Snyder and Witwer as co-chairs was an honest mistake but called on Catholics to contact MCC to express their firm opposition. MCC can be contacted via email at [email protected] and via phone (800) 395-5565.