Files on Pro-Abortion Group Given to Secret Service During Pope’s Visit
The Secret Service, at the time of Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States, asked U.S. Catholic Conference officials for their files on the pro-abortion group Catholics for a Free Choice, church officials said.
Conference officials, responding to reports published this week in the Houston Chronicle, said the request for information on the controversial organization, “was initiated by the Secret Service” and “was the only group they asked us for any information on.”
The Chronicle had filed a Freedom of Information request with the government seeking information on the $5.7-million appropriated by Congress to the protective agency to cover its costs for the nine-city papal visit, which took place Sept. 10-19.
Frances Kissling, executive director of the pro-abortion group, called the response to the Secret Service request “unprincipled.” She said her group will consider filing a suit to determine what, if any, actual surveillance of the group took place.
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