Sebelius nomination puts DC archbishop in spotlight

March 06, 2009

As pro-life activists continued to protest the nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as to the Obama Cabinet, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City wrote in his archdiocesan newspaper, The Leaven:

Normally, it would be a source of joy and pride to have a Catholic from Kansas named by the president to an important Cabinet post. ?Unfortunately, I experience neither with President Obama’s selection of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as his choice to serve as the secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The archbishop said that he is "concerned personally for Governor Sebelius," because her aggressive support for abortion has endangered her spiritual welfare. Archbishop Naumann explained that he had instructed Sebelius not to receive Communion for her own spiritual welfare, as well as " to protect others from being misled by the governor’s public support and advocacy for legalized abortion." In Washington, DC, however, Sebelius will apparently be allowed to receive Communion, notes Julia Duin of the Washington Times, pointing out that Archbishop Donald Wuerl-- following the example of his predecessor Cardinal Theodore McCarrick-- has refused to bar pro-abortion politicians from the Eucharist.

 

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Further information:

• Life Will be Victorious (The Leaven)
• Sebelius poses dilemma to Wuerl (Washington Times)