Bishop

The Bishop of Sioux Falls, Robert Carlson, is moving to Michigan.  Here's an Argus Leader story which notes some of the political impacts of the bishop:

Phyllis Justice of Milbank said she thinks Carlson's strong pro-life stance played an influential role in the 2004 election, where Republican John Thune defeated U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, a Roman Catholic who had supported abortion rights.

Stephanie Herseth, also a Democrat, won election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Had Daschle been able to get the backing of the Democrats in Minnehaha County as did Herseth, he would be back in the Senate," Justice said. "I think (Carlson's) strong stand for life had a great deal of influence."

That level of involvement in politics, particularly during the last year, turned off some Catholics. Pat Cannon of Sioux Falls said he recognizes the huge responsibility of a spiritual leader such as Carlson.

"He was in a difficult position, and I know he was sincere," said Cannon, a 57-year-old self employed developer of medical products. "But I think the issues were broader than his approach would suggest."

He contends powerful political forces can hijack moral issues to advance their own causes in elections, and Carlson may have unwittingly helped them. "Good people can disagree," said Cannon, who stresses he doesn't know the bishop personally. "Those decision are made in private."

Here's an article The Weekly Standard which reported that Carlson asked Daschle to stop calling himself a Catholic because of his abortion views.