GOP peer hits Democrats' letter to prelate

'Anyone who knows anything about Catholic theology knows you cannot equate abortion with the war in Iraq,' he said. 'Abortion is always intrinsically evil but, as for war in Iraq, that involves prudential judgment. You have the moral right to make a decision on what is the best policy to follow.'

Many ethnic Catholics--Irish, Italians and Poles--support President Bush on social issues such as abortion as well as the war, Mr. King said, so the Democrats 'want to confuse the issue and say they are Catholics while not acting as practicing Catholics.'

- Rep. Peter T. King, New York Republican