Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Thu, 13 Aug 1992 06:45:32 EDT
From:         Marty Helgesen <MNHCC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Subject:      Political prisoners

The following is condensed from the June-July Newsletter of the
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which I have just
received:

     "The 'faithful' four'--Joseph H. Roach, John P. Stanton, Michael
J. McMonagle and Patricia McNamara--were ordered to federal prison on
May 5 by U.S. District Court Judge Lowell Reed, because they refused
to pay the fees of an attorney representing an abortion clinic.

     "The four had been found in contempt of court for violating
Judge Reed's 1988 injunction against certain activities at the abor-
tion clinic even though two of them had not been named in the judge's
original injunction.  The other two were found in contempt for engag-
ing in activities (writing a letter from prison encouraging partici-
pation in a prayer vigil and participating in a prayer vigil outside
of an abortionist's home) that had not been proscribed by the origi-
nal injunction.

     "John Puthenveetil, the Catholic League's president, has written
a strong letter to Judge Reed, urging the judge to release these
people. ...

     "Mr. Puthenveetil's letter concluded by calling on Judge Reed to
'discontinue any further efforts to coerce the consciences of these
and other people with similar religious beliefs particularly through
the use of civil contempt actions.  We urge you to reconsider your
decision and return these faithful four to their families.'

     The article then gives biographies of the four political prison-
ers, two of which are followed by editor's notes:

     "Patricia McNamara has been released from prison temporarily on
emergency leave because of her father's life threatening illness.
She is expected to return to prison on July 17."

     "As we go to press, we have been informed that Mr. McMonagle was
released from prison after a third party paid his fine.  While in
prison Mr. McMonagle was diagnosed as needing immediate surgery and
his wife gave birth to their fifth child (their oldest child is
eight)."

     The Newsletter suggests writing to Judge Reed urging him to
release the prisoners.  It says, "Please remember that you will be
addressing a federal judge, and even though you may disagree with his
actions, he is entitled to the respect of his office."

     The sample letter begins:

          Judge Lowell Reed
          United States Court House
          6th and Market Streets
          Philadelphia, PA 19106

          Dear Judge Reed:

     I encourage list members outside the United States to invest in
an aerogramme and send a letter.  Organizations dedicated to helping
political prisoners in other countries, such as the former Soviet
Union, have said that political prisoners who have been released have
said that letters from the West had an impact, both in getting them
released and in alleviating their treatment.  When there were letter
writing campaigns in the West they were treated better than when
there was no pressure on their behalf.

     I also urge prayers both for the political prisoners and their
families and for Judge Reed.

     The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is a national
voluntary non-profit organization.  Patterned after the Anti-
Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, the League combats all forms of
religious prejudice and discrimination and defends human rights,
family rights, and the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn.
Annual membership dues are $25.  Senior citizens dues are $20, and
student dues are $5.  "Contributions to the League may be tax deduct-
ible for those who itemize."  The address is Suite 227, 111 Presiden-
tial Boulevard, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.


Marty Helgesen
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