WASHINGTON--According to the Associated Press, 48 Catholic members of Congress signed a letter voicing concerns over the Church withholding communion from certain Catholic legislators because of votes that are contrary to Church doctrine.

"We do not believe it is our role to legislate the teachings of the Catholic Church," the members wrote. Some oppose the Church's teachings against abortion. "For any of us to be singled out by any bishop by the refusal of communion or other public criticism because we vote in what we believe are the requirements of the United States Constitution and laws of our country, which we are sworn to uphold, is deeply hurtful."

The legislators sent the letter to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Washington archdiocese. The legislators, all House Democrats, said denying the sacrament to them based on their voting records "would be counter-productive and would bring great harm to the Church."

The issue of Catholic lawmakers whose politics run counter to Church teachings came to the forefront with the emergence of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic who supports abortion rights.

Reports of the letter from legislators first circulated in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

McCarrick told the AP last month that Roman Catholic politicians who advocate policies contrary to church teaching on abortion and other issues may be denied honorary degrees from Catholic uiversities, or have honors withheld from dioceses. They may not be invited to speak at Catholic institutions.

"I have not gotten to the stage where I'm comfortable in denying the Eucharist," he said. However, he is chairing a task force to look into the matter.

In their letter, Catholic lawmakers accused church leaders of trying to influence votes.