Kansas Catholic Bishop Says No to Pro-Abortion Politicians at Events

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 17, 2004   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Kansas Catholic Bishop Says No to Pro-Abortion Politicians at Events

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 17, 2004

Kansas City, KS (LifeNews.com) — After a Catholic college in Kansas invited the state’s pro-abortion governor to speak at an event honoring Abraham Lincoln, a top Catholic bishop has told Catholic institutions in the state to not invite pro-abortion politicians to any further events.

The University of Saint Mary came under fire last week invited pro-abortion Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be the keynote speaker at an event.

Sebelius, who is Catholic, said she saw no conflict between her pro-abortion views and religious beliefs. But her views present a problem for Archbishop James Keleher of the Diocese of Kansas City.

Keleher issued a statement that published in the archdiocesan newspaper following the event.

Considering that abortion "has resulted in the killing of over 40 million unborn babies in the last 31 years since the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade," Keleher said, "it is imperative that our Catholic churches, schools and institutions make every effort not only to support the pro-life movement, but especially to ensure that the public understand our unequivocal stand on this issue."

The Archbishop went on to say that "none of our Catholic institutions invite any person" who supports abortion or has a pro-abortion voting record "to address, give workshops, or otherwise make any presentations at these institutions."

Representatives of St. Mary University have not returned a phone message left by LifeNews.com requesting comment.

Sebelius defended her position saying "the reality is that the vast majority of views that I hold and act on, I share with the Catholic Conference, and they are comfortable with that and I am too."
Kansas Coalition for Life director Mark Gietzen says inviting the governor to speak at a Catholic college is "one hundred percent against the official teachings of the Catholic Church and completely contrary to the dictates of Pope John Paul II."

Gietzen said Sebelius got into office thanks to the donations from Wichita late-term abortionist George Tiller.

Last year, the Kansas state House and Senate passed legislation establishing licensing standards for abortion centers to make them follow the same guidelines required of legitimate medical facilities. However, Sebelius vetoed the bill and state legislators were unable to override the veto.

When Sebelius took office, Keleher asked her to move an inauguration religious service from Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka to another church. Sebelius, who attends the church, refused to move the service.

ACTION: Make your views known by contacting St. Mary University, Sr. Diane Steele, President, 4100 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048, call 913-758-6102, fax 913-758-6140, or email [email protected]

You can also contact Governor Sebelius at Office of the Governor, Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 212S, Topeka, KS 66612-1590, (p) 1-800-748-4408, e-mail: [email protected]

Related web sites:
The Leaven newspaper – https://www.theleaven.com