Archbishop Joseph Naumann wrote an op-ed today in the Leaven declaring that Governor Sebelius of Kansas is not eligible to receive Communion.
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.
This is pretty amazing stuff. Will update later.
May 10, 2008 at 1:11 am
If only more of our bishops would exercise their office in like manner. Archbishop Naumann derserves our praise, admiration, and fervent prayers. That it has come to this reflects badly indeed on the bishops who have been in charge over the past forty years.
May 10, 2008 at 3:14 am
That’s what we need more of! Spine! Let’s face it the leadership of Bishops has been for the past 30-40 years has been wanting, and the faithful have clearly suffered. Personal responsibility has been handed over the committees of the USCCB. Cheers to the Bishops Naumann, Burke, Egan and others like them!
May 10, 2008 at 5:16 am
Way to Go!!!!!
God bless Archbishop Naumann!!!
We will keep you and all our bishops in our daily prayers……as well as a change of heart for Gov. Sebelius from the absolute EVIL that she stands to protect and glorify.
May 10, 2008 at 1:51 pm
This is good news! As more and more bishops take this courageous and truly pastoral stand, perhaps even more will be inspired to do so. And the “Catholic” politicians, along with the rest of us, will get the hint that being Catholic actually means something other than where you happen to park your bus for an hour on the occasional Sunday morning.
Bob Hunt