The American Spectator

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p> NATIONAL CATHOLICS br> Re: The Washington Prowler's Guess Who Didn't Come to Breakfast : /p>

Your website is applauded for providing inside information from inside the beltway that isn't reported on anywhere else. But the 4-28-04 edition of the Prowler report contained several inaccuracies.

First and foremost, you state that Cardinal McCarrick refused to let us use St. Matthew's Cathedral. The fact of the matter is that we never planned, nor asked, to use the cathedral because the logistics of getting people from the Cathedral to the Breakfast would be impossible. The fact is that Cardinal McCarrick was very supportive of the breakfast. He gave his immediate approval to our efforts and would have been present if he had not been in Rome meeting with the Pope. Moreover, Cardinal McCarrick sent his letter of greeting and asked his vocations director to read it and speak to the group.

Secondly, Domino's founder Tom Monaghan wasn't involved in anyway with the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast. The breakfast was an all-volunteer effort, apart from our official jobs, started by myself (who works for one of Mr. Monaghan's entities) and several other Catholics, who saw the need for a non-partisan gathering of prayer and fellowship.

Also, we never heard from anyone at Kerry's campaign asking to be invited to the breakfast. If they had asked, we would HAVE welcomed them to come and eat with us. Though, no Catholics, of either political party, who go against Church Doctrine on the matters such as abortion, would be allowed to speak at the gathering.

Regarding President Bush, we understand that he has a demanding schedule and we are very happy that he was able to send his letter of greeting and that Secretary Tommy Thompson was able to speak at the event.

p>Thanks for your coverage of the breakfast and feel free to contact me directly about the breakfast in the future. We plan on holding this breakfast every year. br> -- Joseph Cella br> President

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