WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - A Wisconsin Democrat said he was offended as a Catholic by the apparent Republican sponsorship of a Mass celebrated by the new House of Representatives' chaplain.

    Rep. Jerry Kleczka said in a floor speech on Wednesday that it was inappropriate for a political group to host a Mass. "For them to use the Catholic Church in a continuing attempt to attract Catholic voters is, I think, disgusting," Kleczka said in an interview. "To liken it to a political debate, to a fund-raising dinner, to a political dinner trivializes the Mass."

    Republican National Committee spokesman Mike Collins said the Mass and a reception at a church near Capitol Hill was an opportunity Father Daniel P. Coughlin, who was appointed last month as the first Catholic House chaplain, to meet his new flock. "I think his constituents will find it very interesting that Congressman Kleczka will find a Mass disgusting," Collins said. "He should be ashamed of himself."

    While only Republican Catholic members of Congress received written invitations, all lawmakers received notification of the event. Republicans have accused Democrats of using the controversial selection of new chaplain to their own political advantage by accusing the GOP of anti-Catholic bias, even as the Democratic Party continues to espouse official views contrary to the Catholic Church's teaching. The GOP has recently made the case that Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and New York senatorial candidate Hillary Clinton have both been endorsed by groups seeking to revoke the Vatican's status at the United Nations.