Washington, Mar. 01 (CWNews.com) - A group of Catholic members of the US House of Representatives has issued a "Statement of Principles" in which they claim a "commitment to the basic principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching," but refuse to accept the Church's opposition to legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principles" was released on February 28, and signed by 55 of the 72 Catholic Democrats in the House of Representatives. The group professes its commitment to carrying out Catholic social teaching in many ways: "reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war."

The Democratic group goes on to acknowledge "the undesirability of abortion-- we do not celebrate its practice." But the statement says that although they recognize the Church's teaching authority the lawmakers "believe also in the primacy of conscience." Acknowledging the "tension that comes with being in disagreement with the Church in some areas," the legislators leave it clear (if not explicitly stated) that they will not attempt to end legal abortion.

The "Statement of Principle" does not mention other controversial issues on which Democratic lawmakers have often clashed with Church teachings, such as euthanasia, embryonic research, and government recognition of same-sex unions.

The statement was issued from the office of Connecticut's Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The others signing the statement were:

1. Joe Baca

2. Xavier Becerra

3. Robert Brady

4. Michael Capuano

5. Dennis A. Cardoza

6. Wm. Lacy Clay

7. Jim Costa

8. Joseph Crowley

9. Peter A. DeFazio

10. William Delahunt

11. Rosa DeLauro

12. Mike Doyle

13. Anna Eshoo

14. Lane Evans

15. Charles A. Gonzalez

16. Raul M. Grijalva

17. Luis V. Gutierrez

18. Maurice Hinchey

19. Tim Holden

20. Patrick J. Kennedy

21. Dale E. Kildee

22. James R. Langevin

23. John B. Larson

24. Stephen Lynch

25. Edward J. Markey

26. Jim Marshall

27. Carolyn McCarthy

28. Betty McCollum

29. James P. McGovern

30. Cynthia McKinney

31. Marty Meehan

32. Michael H. Michaud

33. George Miller

34. James P. Moran

35. Grace Napolitano

36. Richard E. Neal

37. James L. Oberstar

38. David R. Obey

39. Frank Pallone

40. Bill Pascrell

41. Ed Pastor

42. Nancy Pelosi

43. Silvestre Reyes

44. Lucille Roybal-Allard

45. Tim Ryan

46. John T. Salazar

47. Linda T. Sanchez

48. Loretta Sanchez

49. Jose Serrano

50. Hilda L. Solis

51. Bart Stupak

52. Gene Taylor

53. Mike Thompson

54. Nydia Velazquez

55. Diane Watson