CL: Sebelius' Archbishop Weighs In

The Catholic League is proud to stand with Archbishop Naumann and calls on Catholics everywhere to support him with vigor.

KANSAS CITY (Catholic League) - Kansas City, Kansas Archbishop Joseph Naumann has written a column for his archdiocesan newspaper that will appear in tomorrow's edition. It is a lengthy and pointed statement concerning the nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of health and human services (HHS).

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on it today:

"Left-wing Catholics who have rallied to Kathleen Sebelius' side are now in a jam: their support pits them against her Ordinary, Archbishop Joseph Naumann.

"He regrets that he is not experiencing the 'joy and pride' he normally would of a Kansas Catholic being chosen for such a top post in a presidential administration. What troubles him, but not her Catholic supporters, is her relentless opposition to Church teaching on abortion.

"Naumann mentions that Sebelius has long been associated with organizations like Planned Parenthood and NARAL, the two most radical pro-abortion groups in the nation; they are also decidedly anti-Catholic. He mentions her willingness to accept cash from Dr. George Tiller, a man known for killing tens of thousands of unborn children, many of whom were partially born.

"He mentions that in her role as the head of HHS, she 'will have to make many decisions that will in all probability continue her personal involvement in promoting legalized abortion and her cooperation in this intrinsic evil.' (My italics.)

"It is painfully obvious that those who support Sebelius not only disagree with Archbishop Naumann's characterization of abortion as intrinsically evil--they disagree with the teachings of the Catholic Church on this fundamental human right.

"The Catholic League is proud to stand with Archbishop Naumann and calls on Catholics everywhere to support him with vigor."

Contact Archbishop Naumann's Communications Director, Carroll Macke, to show your support. E-mail her at CMacke@archkck.org.

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The Catholic League is the nation's largest Catholic civil rights organization. Founded in 1973 by the late Father Virgil C. Blum, S.J., the Catholic League defends the right of Catholics – lay and clergy alike – to participate in American public life without defamation or discrimination. It is led by its' President, William A. Donohue, Ph.D.