WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholics for Choice president Jon O'Brien issued the following statement on the eve of the Iowa caucus:

"If there is one issue that resonates across all sections of society, it is that Americans want to reduce the need for abortion. Over the coming weeks, and continuing throughout the year, Catholics for Choice will be promoting our Prevention Not Prohibition campaign. The first series of ads will appear in states where early caucuses and primaries take place: Iowa, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Nevada and Colorado.

"The Prevention Not Prohibition campaign speaks for Catholics throughout the country. Despite the loud voices and best efforts of a few conservative bishops, Catholics are firmly in the mainstream when it comes to reproductive rights: 97 percent of Catholic women have used an artificial method of contraception and Catholic women have abortions at the same rate as non-Catholics. The Prevention Not Prohibition campaign identifies areas where policy makers can improve public services. These include:

-- Ensuring the availability and promoting the use of safe, reliable and affordable contraception;

-- Securing health care for all, whether they are employed or not;

-- Promoting responsible sexuality education that provides accurate facts; and

-- Guaranteeing that parents have access to child care.

"In 2007, prolife and prochoice members of Congress came together on policies that would increase funding for family planning for low-income women to help them avoid unintended pregnancies. It would also provide funds for women who wish to continue their pregnancies. It was a significant step to see those opposed to abortion rights support access to contraception as a vital tool in reducing the need for abortion. To see members of Congress come together on this issue was important for those in the prochoice community who have been working on reducing the need for abortion for many years.

"Despite the protestations of a few conservative bishops, there is strong support among Catholics for policies that reduce the need for abortion. The presidential election is a perfect place for serious candidates to take a stand and state that they too support providing women with real choices when it comes to dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Supporting the aims of the Prevention Not Prohibition campaign is an ideal place to start."

To view the advertisements, visit www.CatholicsforChoice.org.

Source: Catholics for Choice