peaking Friday on a satellite link to the annual gathering of the Catholic Press Association, Texas Governor George W. Bush called for continued permanent observer status for the Vatican at the United Nations, and challenged the Clinton-Gore White House to do the same.

   "In world affairs, the Holy See has long been an influence for the good -- and never more than in the last two decades," declared the likely GOP Presidential nominee. "Some groups have been trying to silence that voice in the United Nations. The position of the current administration is unclear. The position of my administration will be very clear: America supports permanent observer status for the Holy See."

   Bush was referring to a campaign headed by Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) which has united religious, secular and other advocacy groups in calling for an end to the Vatican's privileged status in the international body. The efforr urges that the Holy See to be removed from its "Nonmember State Permanent Observer" status. While it does not currently have a vote at the United Nations, the Catholic Church -- through its governmental entity, the Holy See -- does have high level access to international conferences and other events, which critics charge allows the Vatican to thwart efforts at population control and influence other important issues.

   At a March 14 press conference, Catholics for a Free Choice charged that the Vatican is responsible for the deaths of "600,000 women" and for the spread of the "HIV/AIDS pandemic" to up to 5.8 million people. Over 450 organizations worldwide have joined the campaign, but in reaction a bipartisan effort has been launched in the U.S. Congress to reaffirm support for the Vatican's status. Sponsors include Senators Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and John McCain (R-AZ) and Reps. James Barcia (DiMI) and Don Sherwood (R-PA).

   "As a UN Nonmember State Permanent Observer, the Holy See often enjoys unique status as a voting partner with countries at UN conferences," declares a statement from CFFC. "Granting government privileges to what is in reality a religious body is questionable statecraft ... Government participation in the UN should be reserved for actual states..."

   Bush also used the occasion to highlight other issues which campaign handlers hope will corral Catholic votes in November, and undo damage incurred from early primary races. A Reuters news dispatch noted that the Texas governor "has been mending fences with Catholic voters since failing to speak out against the policies of Bob Jones University during a visit to the fundamentalist Christian college in South Carolina..." Bush's primary stump appearance at Bob Jones has plagued his nomination run for months. A telephone campaign during the Michigan primary suggest that Bush was a bigot who shared the anti-Catholic opinions of the schools founder, an outspoken Protestant evangelist.

   Since then, Bush and his staffers have been in spin-control mode over the Catholic controversy. Republicans on capitol hill voted to award their highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the late New York Cardinal John O'Connor. Bush also made a point of writing the ailing church prelate, whom he had met several times, saying that he regretted not distancing himself from the anti-Catholic stance of the fundamentalist school. House Speaker Dennis Hastert even attempted to ameliorate Catholic officials by reversing an earlier decision, and naming a Roman Catholic priest as the official congressional chaplain.

   Bush used his talk Friday to identify himself with other pro-church issues in addition to the Vatican's controversial status. He reaffirmed his opposition to abortion except in cases involving incest, rape and danger to the mother's health, and declared "A truly welcoming society must be a culture of life. We must appreciate the dignity of life in all its seasons ... and look toward the day when every child, born and unborn, is welcome in life and protected in law." At the same time, he defended his decision to presumably not use abortion as a litmus test in appointing Supreme Court judges, and defended the death penalty.

   "I support the death penalty for this reason: I believe when it's administered justly and swiftly, I believe when there's no question about a person's guilt and a person's had full access to the court, it'll deter crime." Bush added, "I believe it sends a chilling message out to society that there will be consequences for killing somebody."

   An editor for one Catholic newspaper who heard Bush's talk told the Baltimore Sun that she was "pleased" that the governor didn't avoid the issue, but added, "It's not the answer we would liked to have heard."

   Still, Bush appeared to rack up points on other topics, especially vouchers and public assistance for sectarian schools.

   "I support school choice," Bush told the CPA. "If the neighborhood school is failing in its basic mission, parents and teachers don't need more excuses. They need answers."

   "Here's what I think: A parent with options is a parent with influence," Bush added.

   The 450 Catholic delegates gave Bush the loudest applause when he said that if elected president, he would immediately "sign a ban on partial-birth abortion."

   Bush peppered his 15-minute address with quotes from well-recognized Catholics, including Cardinal O'Connor, author C.S. Lewis, and Pope John Paul II.

   Administration flak catchers and State Department officials quickly responded to Bush's speech. Democratic National Committee spokesman Jenny Backus told the Austin American-Statesman newspaper that Bush's remarks were part of the "Bob Jones Redemption Tour."

   Texas Democratic Chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm charged that by reaching out to key Catholic segments, "Governor Bush is trying to distance himself from the radical right." She charged that the state GOP "is the epitome of the extreme right wing and out of touch with the mainstream concerns and needs of most Texans."

   Aides to the Vice President accused Bush of misrepresenting Gore's position on the Holy See's standing at the United Nations. Spokesman Doug Hattaway told the Washington Post that in an interview two months ago, Gore spoke out in defense of permanent observer status for the Vatican.

   "It's a clumsy attempt to make up for his disastrous visit to Bob Jones and improve his standing among skeptical Catholics," Hattaway declared. Borrowing a line which Bush has used frequently in reference to Mr. Gore, Hathaway then suggested that the Texas governor would "say anything to get elected."

[text only]