nce again, there are indications that leaders of the Roman Catholic Church are not staying behind the pulpit, but instead are wading into the fever swamp of political activism and the year 2000 presidential race. Church officials have a number of issues they are concerned about -- everything from vouchers and other government aid to religious schools, to welfare reform and tax breaks for organized religion. But the question of abortion rights, and how Catholics who hold political office vote on that issue, seems to be behind a new strategy in trying to shape the Republican presidential and vice presidential ticket.

   ¶    A recent column in the Washington Post by beltway insider Robert Novak reveals that an advisor in the campaign of Texas Gov. George Bush huddled with an anonymous archbishop "who is neither from Pennsylvania nor Texas," where the subject of a possible vice presidential running mate was discussed. Novak reveals that when the name of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge came up, "The reply (from the archbishop) was unequivocal. Being Catholic makes Ridge's pro-choice views worse -- far worse -- to accept on the ticket."

   he report is disturbing since Ridge has worked hard to promote school vouchers and other religion-friendly legislative measures. The Governor proposed two sweeping pieces of voucher legislation during the last session of the Pennsylvania assembly, but his key proposals were turned down following a round of bitter floor fights. Ridge is considered "soft," though, on the abortion question, and says that he is not in favor of a sweeping ban on the procedure and instead defends a woman's right to choose.

   ¶    GOP insiders say that with Bush commanding a hefty lead in the polls and fundraising, the party's religious conservatives may be giving up on hopes of moving their favorites into the top slot, instead concentrating on the vice presidential nominee. We add that religious right groups are also likely to focus efforts on keeping strong antiabortion language in the party platform, and demanding an "oath of allegiance" on abortion from all prospective candidates.

   Philadelphia Daily News writer John Baer quotes a "national GOP adviser who asked not be named," who suggested that with New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith jumping ship to the US Taxpayer's Party, "it gets harder to keep the (Republicans) under one tent... That means Bush might need to offer conservatives the VP or risk a major fight." Baer adds, "If such a fight develops, the theory goes, pro-choice Ridge could get knocked out of the ring."

   Even with a relative moderate on the ticket, though, Bush -- who already has angered some religious conservatives with his claim that the country "is not ready" for a legislative ban on abortion -- could take flak for his stand on this volatile issue. Ann Stone of the Republicans for Choice group says that while Ridge is among their favorites for any nomination slot, the language in the party platform could be where battles are to be fought. Any candidate, though, is going to be grilled by all segments of the party and the media as to how he or she stands on the platform and, specifically, the abortion question.

   Baer notes that with the exception of his stand on the abortion question, Ridge is a favorite of conservatives due to his outspoken position on vouchers, the death penalty, and taxes. In addition, the Pennsylvania Governor has "made friends with former Christian Coalition chief Ralph Reed," now a political consultant based in Atlanta. Reed's former boss, televangelist Pat Robertson, has taken over the helm at the Coalition, and reassured his supporters that Gov. Bush (also a close friend) is "passionately pro-life."

   "Reed said he helped Ridge lobby state lawmakers on vouchers in May," notes Baer, "while in Harrisburg as a speaker at the legislative prayer breakfast..."

   There is nothing else on the media radar about the meeting between the Bush camp operative and the unidentified archbishop. But Novak's reports suggests that Catholic officials remain concerned over both abortion and the problem of political leaders who happen to be church members, yet do not toe the line on this crucial issue. Some church officials have threatened excommunication or the threat of eternal damnation against public officials who refuse to oppose abortion rights. And there are suggestions that Roman Catholic leaders are become bolder in their efforts to politicize the flock. Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, for instance, has announced that the archdiocese will be printing and distributing tens of thousands of "voters guides" to "suggest" who church members should vote for. Nationally, church leaders have watched Bevilacqua's bellwether strategy of political activism, which has included public statements on social issues, demonstrations and postcard campaigns to officials over vouchers.

   Novak's column raises more questions than it answers. Why is the Bush campaign meeting with an unidentified Roman Catholic official? Is the church hierarchy now a sounding board in helping to craft a strategy for the year 2000 race? Whatever the answers, it remains clear that the battle over abortion is sure to erupt, especially if Republicans anoint "King George" as their standard-bearer for the presidency.

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