Anti-abortion protesters picketed outside St. Anthony’s Church in Westbrook Saturday after they failed to get the diocese to bar two Democratic legislators from holding a supper to raise money for heating assistance.

Anti-abortion protestors tried to stop Reps. Tim Driscoll and Bob Duplessie from holding a supper at the old St. Hyacinth’s Church to raise money for heating assitance because they believe the two legislators have voting records that favor abortion.

The protestors claimed the two men were using the supper to associate themselves with the church and thereby improve their image among voters. However, Duplessie and Driscoll said the dinner was about raising money for heating assitance and had nothing to do with politics.

Politics and religion

“This has nothing to do with politics,” said Duplessie. “It has to do with just trying to help people out who are in need. I have nothing (to gain from) this. I’m term-limited out.”

Anti-abortion advocates George Rodrigues of Westbrook, a St. Anthony’s parishioner, and Paul Madore of the Maine Grassroots Coalition, said the representatives were using the spaghetti dinner to ingratiate themselves with Catholics. Rodrigues and Madore believe Bishop Richard Malone went against his own policy by allowing two politicians they consider to be pro-abortion to host an event at a Catholic church.

“Bishop Malone said this would not happen on his watch,” said Madore, who said Driscoll participated in a Democratic caucus in Westbrook the day after the event. “He’s going back on his decision.”

Mark Mutty, director of public affairs for the Catholic diocese in Portland, said diocese policy prohibits politicians from speaking at churches when they are actively campaigning, and Duplessie and Driscoll maintain there was no campaigning at the dinner.

Driscoll said the dinner was an extension of the program he organized in the fall to help people who are either too poor or elderly to winterize their homes. He also said the event was initially to be held at the high school. However, the venue was changed for logistical reasons, and the church offered the St. Hyacinth’s hall.

“As far as gaining anything politically from this event, I do have a caucus” Sunday, said Driscoll, who is also a member of St. Anthony’s. But “I don’t think anyone is running against me at the caucus,” said Driscoll.

Voting records

“I think some of them think they were baptized Democrats instead of Catholics,” said Ron Staubles from Unity, one of the protestors.

The protestors point to Driscoll and Duplessie’s voting records as the catalyst for their presence at the fundraiser. Their effort on Saturday was to educate other Catholics about the two.

“This is nothing more than an attempt to blur the reality of the pro-abortion voting records of these two,” said Madore.

Duplessie acknowledged he has a “100 percent pro-choice” voting record in Augusta. However, he said that had nothing to do with the dinner Saturday.

“I probably have a 100 percent pro-Catholic voting record on religion-related issues,” he said. “I just differ (with the Catholic church) on that one thing.”

Driscoll also acknowledged that he has voted in favor of abortion rights for women. “I’m pro-choice when it comes to my legislative life.” However, he also tempered this statement by saying that he is “a Catholic.”

“I certainly respect life,” he said. “I work in an emergency room in a Catholic hospital.” However, he said he has to take his constituents’ opinions on matters when voting in Augusta.

Supper raises money

According to Mutty, while the church does not participate in partisan politics, it does cooperate with legislators in doing good deeds. He said the diocese has pledged to Gov. John Baldacci to do whatever it can to help promote his Keep Maine Warm program. A press release by the diocese said the bishop considered the “function appropriate for this need. There are many that have stepped forward to help with this fundraiser.”

“I think it’s sad,” said City Councilor Brendan Rielly, a St. Anthony’s parishioner who attended the event to help. “As a lifelong Catholic, the church teaches helping poor. To confuse it with other issues confuses the point.”

“I think Mr. Rodrigues is trying to politicize the event,” said Driscoll. “I’ve been planning this event for months now. I’ve been talking about this and advertising this for months. I don’t understand why George Rodrigues decides a week before this event that it needs to be canceled.”

The protestors were Catholics from various parts of Maine who came first to Portland to demonstrate in front of the diocese on Ocean Avenue before the spaghetti dinner. They then set up camp on the sidewalk on Brown Street in front of the church. About eight protestors stood out in the cold and snow on the sidewalk with their signs as people attending the dinner pulled into the parking lot. The signs included slogans such as “Silent pulpits equal silent screams” and “Stop abortion now.” At least two of the signs showed graphic photographs of aborted fetuses.

When asked whether he was worried that the protest could affect the amount of money raised, Rodrigues replied, “I think the turnout will be affected some, who knows how much. I’ve talked to people who won’t be coming since they found out about the voting records of Driscoll and Duplessie. So I know at least a little education is being done.”

More than 100 people attended the event despite the weather and picketers. Driscoll and Duplessie delivered a check Monday morning for more than $1,500 to Peoples Regional Opportunity Program Executive Director Grant Lee to help Westbrook residents heat their homes this winter.

A group of pro-life Catholics including Paul Madore of the Maine Grassroots Coalition, in the front at right, protest on Saturday in front of the Catholic Diocese in Portland following a press conference against a fundraiser in Westbrook. George Rodrigues, right, with fellow protestor picket outside St. HyacinthPaul Madore of the Maine Grassroots Coalition holds a sign criticizing Roman Catholic Bishop Richard Malone for allowing state Reps. Tim Driscoll and Bob Duplessie to host a supper to raise money for Westbrook residents to heat their homes through the winter.