Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas: Nancy Pelosi Isn't Alone

The current American president has picked a Catholic from Kansas as his Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

You'd think that Catholics, particularly Catholics in Kansas, would be pleased.

Archbishop of Kansas City Joseph Naumann isn't.

Kansas Archbishop Puts Church Teaching First

Since Kansas abortion rates dropped while Seblius was governor, doesn't that make her pro-life? Or at least bi-partisan or something?

According to the archbishop, no.

" 'I think that's very, very dishonest and not at all accurate. It's true that abortion dropped during her term as governor but I don’t think she really had anything to do with it, although she likes to take credit for it. And in fact, during that time she vetoed measures that could have helped prevent abortion. At one time, she struck from the budget a pregnancy maintenance initiative that gave state funding to crisis pregnancy centers,' Archbishop Naumann told OSV [Our Sunday Visitor].

"Because of her stance, the archbishop explained that in August of 2007 he wrote the governor a private letter asking her not to 'present herself for Communion.' "

What's the Big Deal, She's Bi-Partisan, Right?

It's nice to be able to play well with others, and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius seems able to do this.

"Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' experience working with both Democrats and Republicans in her home state could be an asset to President Obama as he embarks on an effort at bipartisanship in reforming health care...."
(CNN)

That's fine. Just one problem. Sebelius has a track record of supporting what's euphemistically called 'abortion rights.' Quite a number of Americans see nothing wrong with mothers having the right to kill their babies, as long as they have the kids whacked early enough. That doesn't make it right.

The Catholic Church has some rather definite rules about killing innocent people (and not-so-innocent people, for that matter), and killing babies is a definite no-no. That's almost incredibly 'intolerant' by some standards, but those are the rules.

The Catholic Church frowns on genocide, too. (Catechism, 2313) I'd be writing more posts about American 'Catholic' politicians who support genocide, but it's a sin that's recognized as being naughty behavior by most Americans. Think about it: when was the last time you heard a politician say, 'although personally opposed to genocide, I don't feel I have a right to impose my values...?'

Excluded from Communion? Isn't that Harsh?

Yes, but receiving the Eucharist with an unresolved mortal sin on your conscience is definitely against the rules (1415). It's also, in the long run, a very bad idea.

And yes, killing a baby counts as a mortal sin. (2271, 2322, for starters) Helping someone else off a baby is a definite no-no, too (2272)

I said "unresolved." The Catholic Church does not have a 'one strike and you're toast' philosophy. We have something called the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation to take care of sins: mortal or venial. (1422) Most people around here call it "going to Confession."

Don't get me wrong: that sacrament is no 'get out of jail free' card. But that's a topic for another time.

Aren't Catholics Supposed to be Spiritual, Not Concerned about This World?

Books have been written about this. Short answer: no.

Being 'spiritual' doesn't mean ditching social responsibility. Human beings need to live in a society, and contribute to it. (1879) Some people may not see trying to keep the most helpless members of society alive as being "spiritual," but that sort of thing is encouraged by the Catholic Church.

Nobody Has to be Catholic

I think it's a good idea to stay with the church established by Jesus, about two millennia ago, but nobody 'has to be' Catholic. The door opens both ways, and people can leave any time they want.

But, to be a practicing Catholic, a person has to practice the Catholic faith. Not what he or she would like the Catholic faith to be.

I'm glad to see that American bishops have started taking teachings of the Catholic church seriously, even when high-profile public figures are involved. A few feelings may get hurt along the way: but I think that saving lives is more important than protecting feelings.

Related posts:

• "The Pope, an Archbishop, and Nancy Pelosi, on Abortion, Human Rights, and Communion"
  (February 21, 2009)
• "Pelosi and the Pope, Emotion and Beliefs"
  (February 19, 2009)
• "Human Clones Possible: Don't Worry, They're Just for Parts and Research"
  (February 2, 2009)
• "Pro-Abortion Slogans Sound Nice, Hide Nasty Facts"
  (November 15, 2008)
• "American Catholic Bishops Intolerant! (I Should Hope So)"
  (November 13, 2008)
• "Barack Obama, Catholic Bishops, and Abortion"
  (November 12, 2008)
• "Nancy Pelosi an Ardent, Clueless Catholic: Who Knew?"
  (November 3, 2008)
• "Obama, McCain, Life, Death, Abortion, Voting, and this American Catholic"
  (November 2, 2008)
• "Life: It's a Single Issue, and an Important One"
  (November 2, 2008)
• "Capital Punishment: Killing Those Who Deserve to Die"
  (October 2, 2008)

In the news:

• "Calling Sebelius pro-life is ‘very, very dishonest,’ says Kansas City archbishop"
  Catholic News Agency (March 5, 2009)
• "Archbishop Naumann laments Sebelius appointment, warns of threat to Catholic hospitals"
  CWNews.com, via Catholic Messenger (March 5, 2009)
• "Will Sebelius be a bipartisan force for Obama?"
  CNN (March 3, 2009)

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While I'm on the subject of abortion, and who should be allowed to live, here's a video I was shown recently:

"Imagine Spot 1 - Rejected by NBC and CNN"

catholicvote23 / YouTube (January 18, 2009)
video (0:41)

You didn't see this ad during the Super Bowl.

"The first release of a national media campaign launched by CatholicVote.com titled 'Life: Imagine the Potential'

"This ad has been rejected by NBC for airing during the Super Bowl, and CNN during coverage of President Obama's first State of the Union Address."