Sen. John McCain has gained the support of more than 100 prominent Catholics with the launching of the National Catholics for McCain Committee, his campaign announced Monday. The committee’s co-chairs are U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, and former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating.

Brownback, in the announcement, commended McCain for his anti-abortion stance: “John McCain has a common sense vision for America based on faith, freedom, and families.”

McCain said he appreciates Catholic voters who have helped him in his race to become Republican nominee for the U.S. presidency. “I stand firmly with those Catholics who believe that human rights are natural rights for all people, in all places, and in all stages of life,” he said.