Let me start by saying that I abhor headline writers. Really, really don’t like ’em.

Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City writes in the Kansas City Star ostensibly to educate non-Catholics (and probably many Catholics) why he has asked the radically pro-abortion Governor to refrain from receiving communion.

Understanding that such a move can easily be misinterpreted, he attempts to explain his role as a Bishop and why it necessitates this move.

While I realize that most readers of The Star do not share my faith in the Eucharist, I share this brief description of Catholic belief to provide the context for my request that Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius not receive Holy Communion.

As a bishop, it is my responsibility to protect the integrity of the sacraments as well as the teaching of the Church.

Many public policy issues have ethical and moral dimensions. Our Catholic faith offers us principles that guide our understanding of such important societal issues as immigration, war, health-care reform, etc.
While the principles are consistent for every Catholic, the determination of how to apply them varies.

However, there are some actions that, because they involve the destruction of innocent human life, can never be justified. A Catholic in good conscience can never support policies permitting abortion, experimentation on human embryos or euthanasia.

Catholics in public life who consistently support policies that permit these intrinsic evils not only damage themselves spiritually but also create scandal by leading others into error.

For more than 25 years, Gov. Sebelius has advocated and supported legalized abortion. She has opposed such modest protections as parental notification for minors, waiting periods, informed consent and improved regulation of abortion clinics.

In the hope to awaken her to the grave spiritual consequences of her own actions and in an effort to prevent her from leading others into error, it was my responsibility to request that the governor refrain from receiving the Eucharist.

So he explains himself faithfully and honestly. He in no way misrepresents or embellishes the Governor’s pro-abortion record. He simply presents the facts. For this, the criminally inane headline writer (and the editors) headlines this letter “Archbishop Naumann attacks Sebelius over abortion”

Attacks. Absurd, truly absurd. Sebelius is very pro-choice —fact. The Church says you cannot be in communion (Catholic) if you support abortion — fact. An Archbishop’s job is to uphold the teaching of the Church — fact. To say the truth these days is to attack.

So be it. I wish more Bishops would attack in the same way. I suppose if truth is considered an attack these days, headline writers and editors should be safe from the accusation.