A statement read in Roman Catholic churches throughout the country during Sunday services has urged President Clinton to support the so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban, and may have violated government regulations concerning political activism by tax-exempt religious groups.

The open letter to Mr. Clinton was signed by seven U.S. church Cardinals and leaders of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. It stated that the public had been "deceived" by claims that the number of so-called partial birth abortions (a label invented by anti-choice groups to describe certain late-term abortion procedures) was relatively low, or that the operation was usually performed to protect the health and welfare of the mother. But in late February, an abortion spokesman suggested that the number of such abortions was higher than originally reported, and that most of the fetuses were viable, and the mothers in no medical jeopardy.

Speaking to a flock in St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York Cardinal John O'Connor reiterated the Vatican's position that all abortion "is killing on demand -- infanticide."

The letter to President Clinton called for him to sign the Partial Birth Abortion Ban which has been introduced in the 105th Congress. Last year, the legislation passed in both the House and Senate, but was vetoed in April when Mr. Clinton objected to the measure, noting that it did not make exceptions to protect the life or health of the mother. Despite efforts by religious groups ranging from the Catholic Church to the Christian Coalition, the veto was sustained.

Has the Church again violated guidelines which regulate how far religious groups may go before jeopardizing their tax-exempt status?

Sunday's declaration in support of specific legislative items represents yet another case where the Roman Catholic Church appears to have violated guidelines which regulate how far religious groups may go before jeopardizing their privileged tax-exempt status. Several years ago, the Church was sued by Planned Parenthood which maintained that by constantly endorsing anti-abortion legislation and candidates, the religion was clearly violating its IRS tax exemption.

American Atheists has charged that this latest declaration in support of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban is part of a larger campaign by various Archdiocese throughout the country to mobilize supporters on behalf of specific legislative items. Last month in Hawaii, for instance, the local Bishop organized a rally voicing support for a specific bill which would ban same-sex marriages.

Critics note that the Church's latest declaration in support of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban is a "wedge tactic" to move toward the wider objective of enacting the Human Life Amendment, and totally banning all abortion procedures.