No speeches in Catholic institutions by abortion rights advocates

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Archbishop James P. Keleher has asked Catholic institutions under his jurisdiction to stop inviting politicans or others who favor abortion rights to speak or take part in other presentations.

His statement was published in the archdiocesan newspaper on Friday, the day after Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, spoke at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth.

The governor, invited to speak as part of the school's Lincoln Lectureship series, talked about education and economic development. Anti-abortion advocates had been critical of the invitation for her to speak on the Catholic campus.

Hours before her speech, the governor and Keleher appeared together at a news conference to rally support for affordable housing. Asked then about the controversy over Sebelius being invited to speak on the campus, the archbishop declined to comment.

But the next day, in a statement published in The Leaven newspaper, Keleher said abortion is such an important issue that "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 requested that no abortion-rights advocate or politician who espouses an abortion-rights stance be allowed to "address, give workshops, or otherwise make any presentation" at Catholic institutions in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

"We must stand solidly behind the Gospel of Life," the statement said.

Keleher could not be reached for comment Monday, his office said.

When Sebelius took office a year ago, Keleher expressed displeasure with her abortion-rights stance, asking her to move an inauguration interfaith service from Topeka's Assumption Catholic Church. Sebelius, who attends the church, refused to move the service.

Information from: Journal-World
© 2004 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.kansascity.com

It's certainly a move in the right direction, however, this should have been the norm all along. Now it is time to address the 'Catholic' politicians who give scandal to faithful by there unrepentant support of abortion, just as Archbishop Burke has done.