Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has given a jolt to the community (and far beyond) by not only censuring Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius for her ongoing promotion of abortion, but telling her she should should refrain from taking Communion. You see, Sebelius claims to be a practicing Catholic but has strongly supported abortion rights, has accepted contributions from notorious third trimester abortionist George Tiller, and has opposed even the most modest pro-life actions (i.e., recently vetoing the Comprehensive Abortion Reform Act which had passed by significant majorities in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature.)Archbishop Naumann says that Sebelius' actions have sent a "spiritually lethal message."
Here is an excerpt from the Archbishop's public column in the archdiocese newsletter:
...Since becoming archbishop, I have met with Governor Sebelius several times over many months to discuss with her the grave spiritual and moral consequences of her public actions by which she has cooperated in the procurement of abortions performed in Kansas. My concern has been, as a pastor, both for the spiritual well-being of the governor but also for those who have been misled (scandalized) by her very public support for legalized abortion.
It has been my hope that through this dialogue the governor would come to understand her obligation: 1) to take the difficult political step, but necessary moral step, of repudiating her past actions in support of legalized abortion; and 2) in the future would use her exceptional leadership abilities to develop public policies extending the maximum legal protection possible to the unborn children of Kansas.
Having made every effort to inform and to persuade Governor Sebelius and after consultation with Bishop Ron Gilmore (Dodge City), Bishop Paul Coakley (Salina) and Bishop Michael Jackels (Wichita), I wrote the governor last August requesting that she refrain from presenting herself for reception of the Eucharist until she had acknowledged the error of her past positions, made a worthy sacramental confession and taken the necessary steps for amendment of her life which would include a public repudiation of her previous efforts and actions in support of laws and policies sanctioning abortion.
Recently, it came to my attention that the governor had received holy Communion at one of our parishes. I have written to her again, asking her to respect my previous request and not require from me any additional pastoral actions.
The governor has spoken to me on more than one occasion about her obligation to uphold state and federal laws and court decisions. I have asked her to show a similar sense of obligation to honor divine law and the laws, teaching and legitimate authority within the church.
I have not made lightly this request of Governor Sebelius, but only after much prayer and reflection. The spiritually lethal message, communicated by our governor, as well as many other high profile Catholics in public life, has been in effect: “The church’s teaching on abortion is optional!”
I reissue my request of the faithful of the archdiocese to pray for Governor Sebelius. I hope that my request of the governor, not to present herself for holy Communion, will provoke her to reconsider the serious spiritual and moral consequences of her past and present actions. At the same time, I pray this pastoral action on my part will help alert other Catholics to the moral gravity of participating in and/or cooperating with the performance of abortions.
Letters of commendation to the Archbishop are, of course, in order. You can do so right here. Mine simply read, "Dear Archbishop Naumann, Please accept my thanks for your bold yet completely reasonable, just and compassionate public appeal to Governor Sebelius. I pray that she quickly, thoroughly understands and humbly receives your exhortation. I also pray that your call to purity and consistency will ring true for many others who have compromised the sanctity of human life. And may our Lord grant to many other clergy (including the evangelical pastors who represent my own spiritual traditions) the courage to speak the truth in love as you have done. Again, thank you."
