Catholics United welcomes the election of Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, a faithful Catholic, to the chairmanship of the Republican Party. Steele’s history of respected public service, marked by a consistently applied Catholic faith, is an inspiration to the Catholic community. As evidence of his faith, Chairman Steele supports a consistent life ethic and opposes both abortion and the death penalty.

Lt. Gov. Steele is the latest in a series of Catholics who have risen to national leadership positions in recent years. Earlier this month, Governor Tim Kaine, who shares Steele's concern for life at all stages, was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

“Catholics look forward to collaborating Chairman Steele on behalf of the common good,” said James Salt, Director of Organizing and Communications for Catholics United, who has worked Lt. Gov. Steele in abolishing the death penalty in Maryland. “We are hopeful that Steele’s Catholic values will continue to shape his leadership as we tackle a number of pressing concerns, such as reducing the number of abortions, passing immigration and health care reform, reducing poverty, safeguarding workers' rights, and ending war.”