that the debacle in Connecticut will be a wake-up call to Catholics that they need to begin lobbying their bishops to speak out against the Sibelius nomination? Once again, we should begin tallying who among the bishops will take a stand on this pro-abortion "Catholic." So far we have Naumann and Burke. If you're a bishop and you're reading this, feel free to add your name.

Deal, Is the Catholic Church also on trial? Gov. Sebelius, Gov. Vilsak, Sen. Dodd, Rep. Pelosi, all consider themselves practicing Catholics and are all pro-choice. What is your opinion?

I know that I will get a lot of people to jump on me over this, however, this Dr. Tiller has performed thousands of late term abortions, or should I say late term killings, and he is a trained physician, a man who was trained to heal, and he is using that training to kill. How is he any different from that monster Dr. Mengele? Yes, yes, I know that is a terrible thing to compare someone to a Nazi, but I cannot think any differently. If Sebelius has taken money from this awful man, she is not only unfit to be HHS Secretary, but unfit to be Governor as well. Catholic indeed?

If the Catholic Church wants to maintain its integrity, the use of Excommunication should be considered in cases such as these. Not to be used as a punishment but as a wake-up call for those whose souls are in jeoparday and to re-establish its moral authority.

The Catholic Church in the US on trial? For decades well over a majority of the Catholic members of Congress have been pro-aborts. That's all the trial that is needed.

Why doesn't she just come out and say the money she
accepted is more sacred?

Deal,

Why can you not find it in yourself to be honest and balanced in your posts? The prosecutor in this case is the Democratic prosecutor that Sebelius backed. That is a huge ommission, which you fail to mention because of your obvious partisan agenda.

And in your list of people you deem to be pro-abortion, why don't you include RNC Chairman Steele?

You actually gave Steele pro-life credentials in his campaign for chairman based on his positions during his run for Senate in 2006, where he declared on Meet the Press that he did not support overturning Roe vs. Wade or a Constitutional Amendment to ban abortion.

Pointing out Republicans who are not pro-life is not a defense for the horror of someone like Sebelius. Last count that I saw (and apologize that my numbers are approximate) some 150 congresspeople claim to be Catholic. Approximately 105 are democrats the balance republican. Of the democrats over 100 are pro-abortion. Of the republicans more than 40 are pro-life. Those numbers speak to me, and are precisely why I became republican. I don't agree with every republican, but I find it closer to my values than the democrats. I don't support chairman Steele, but when I submit my agendas for life, they are more likely to be heard in that party than in the liberal arenas. It seems pretty simple, democrats and republicans both must put their morality above their party and do what is right. If they cannot do that, I am fully in favor of their chastisement. Since they are public and it becomes public scandal, the church faithful must be protected from the scandal by showing these people are wrong and unnacceptable in their positions that are counter to the Church's teaching. I know several Catholics who say that the Church must not be too upset about Sebellius, Biden, Pelossi etc. because very little is done to them. That attitude must be changed by a clear and unified position of the Church to deplore the scandal they present.

Amen! to R L Taylor. I simply don't get BDK's oft-echoed point. BDK: Is Sebelius wrong? Is Tiller wrong? Are both complicit in mortal sin? Does one, Sebelius, in her role as governor help to promote mortal sin? Is she unrepentant about this behavior? Does Steele's position make hers more palatable? More right?

We are all sinners. This in no way excuses sin. Those in public office, especially those of the "in" party, are in a position to legislate in ways that can facilitate sin or virtue.

BDK, feel free to write an article -- I'm sure that Brian and others would be glad to accept it -- about Republicans or even political conservatives who are pro-abortion. Someone ought to. Those folks should be called out on their stance. But please do not resort to you-are-too-ism to assuage your uneasiness at supporting left-wing abortionists.

You know, as I read all of this, I just believe in my heart and in my whole being that it is time for the Catholic Church leaders to stand up for what is morally right and just according to ethics, and to moral law, and to the teaching of the Catholic Church....

It is TIME to STAND. This is not a time to be "politically correct".

And this is what has happened... This is a case of another woman in politics who has used her leadership abilities and power by 'standing up" for what is totally wrong....

Why would anyone be surprised at Obamas’ selection of Gov. Selebius as head of HHS?
It was as close as he could get to the real thing, Dr. George Tiller himself.

Actually this whole establishment of the Obamanation has obviously been geared to put in place the most radical regime of left wing socialist demagogues as possible. While there is little effort to disguise the fact his appointments are most often tax cheating socialist engineers who want to “reform” America, the main focus seems to be to show us just how many Catholics there are in government at every level and to “call out” evidence they are willing to cooperate with his agenda. It’s been nothing less than an “in your face” campaign aimed at us and the Vatican in the process.

We have elected a very shrewd leader. He has talents specifically designed for a campaigning politician, not a wise one. He is well suited to be the smiling face and silver tongue for those who wish to gain sufficient control of our lives that we won’t be able to live with out their “assistance” all the while trashing Christian values at every opportunity.

Thank you again Doug Kmeic.

I understand these pro-death Catholic politicians have effectively excommunicated themselves by their own advocacy of the willful and violent taking of innocent human life. Big whoop!

I know that sounds facetious, and it partly is. But what does that excommunication matter, except to that individual soul? What about the tender souls that are led astray when they see someone like Senator Kennedy receiving communion at a mass celebrated by the Holy Father himself? What about those souls who turn away from the Church when they see Madame Speaker feted by the same church officials who should be disciplining her? Sebellius is only the person of the moment. If all these politicians are allowed to present themselves as faithful Catholics in communion with their church, then Sebellius's friendship with the butcher Tiller has no impact, no meaning other than one more nail in the coffin of the Catholic witness for life.

Kamilla

It IS about the individual soul but its also how it affects others. The greater the publicity and position, the greater the accountability.

And anyways, in our Catholic churches in every city all over the world, people are receiving communion unworthily...
adultery, bad business, slander, idolatry, abortion, wife/child abuse...you name it. We are all sinners, BUT there is a difference.

These politicians make their positions known, cram it down our throats, impose sinful policies on society, and get recognition and money for it. They are making their sin to be our sin. So to receive communion while imposing severe sin is an even greater atrocity than the sin itself, in my opinion. The price on their heads is lot heavier than on the poor little 12 year old who was raped and taken to an abortion clinic by her parents. And even as sad as THAT is, its still not the little baby's fault...

I'm not sure about the US, but in Canada, our tax dollars go toward abortion. What will I say to Jesus at my judgment? Well I'll offer Him all my tears, prayers, and actions against abortion, and I'm seriously tempted to stop paying taxes, whatever the personal cost.

I say the church should impose excommunication...its better they suffer in this world than the next, and so really it would be an act of mercy.

But here's what I wonder most: why they would care if they were excommunicated? Is it really possible to promote abortion and believe in God?

Protestant and Catholic politicians cannot say that they are against abortion for religious reasons but then for political reasons actively support abortion legislation and financing. Oh no one simply cannot split oneself in two and still expect to be welcomed members of a church that condemns abortion. They should all be excommunicated. No exceptions.

She was wrong and she should listen to the Bishops I'm a EM at church and would have not problem not given her the Host. Nothing Worse than someone who thinks that they are better than the Almighty wait to she see St. Peter at the Pearly Gates elevator down button PLEASE!

Everyone knows a TRUE Catholic when they see one.
Everyone also knows there are many, many in the dark....
The important thing is that you yourselve know to be True!

Why are "pro-Choice" "Catholics" not excommunicated? Telling them not to receive communion is a slap on the wrist, which they ingnore. Are we afraid of losing too many "Catholics"? The Church is not a democracy. We have certain beliefs, with a capital"T", which all Catholics must believe in or else they should no longer be Catholics. Our Bishops are much too lenient. Are they afraid of losing money-this should be the last reason for excommunication.

If left unchallenged by the hierarchy, the Sebelius nomination will be one more indication of the joke that Catholic leadership has become, particularly in the United States. The hierarchy in this country is up in arms over the reconciliation process of the SSPX bishops while the "progressive" Catholic left continues in its decades long program of scandal and destruction of the Faith. The reality is that the so called "American Catholic Church" qualifies most as schismatic.

I recently read an article about the contents of childhood vaccinations. I was appalled to see on this list I read, that there were aborted fetal cells. Is that why these people won't stop abortion in this country? Makes one wonder. When they get done with this trial, maybe the next one should be an investigation of the FDA. There's another Pandora's box just waiting to be opened. It seems to me the drug companies run this country or rather run it into the ground. Sure there's some good that they do, but the next time if you're diagnosed with cancer, check out Cancerbreakthroughusa.com. It will open your mind to how the almighty buck matters more than the real Almighty God!!!

Deal,
While so much of this Sebelius situation is galling, it is equally galling to see how many people march up the aisle to Communion while contracepting, legislating evil, divorcing, fornicating or other "messing around," holding onto serious resentments, and showing vain contempt for God, His name, and His various Laws. I know darn well that there aren't that many who are repentant of their own grave sins.

I'm a repentant pew sitter and I know the laws of God and His Church. The plank in my eye is to heavy to haul up to communion. If I don't go to confession, I sit it out and let folks climb over me. Hopefully, one day a pro-abort politician will try to climb over me and I can invite them to do something decent for once and sit down with me.

I just wish that the pro-abort extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist or contracepting lay reader of scripture would change his/her mind and heart along with the strengthening of conviction of the priest, bishop, and laity who allow such situations to continue. It's all rather galling.

The continuous retrenchment of the Culture of Death, since the election of Obama, should be the wake up call and rallying point for those people who fell asleep during the last election cycle. It is time to talk, walk, eat, sleep, breath Pro-Life. People need to get excited and get into action in their communities. (And quit spending time responding in comboxes - sarcastic self-deprecation intended.)

Quit dwelling on the state of the souls of people like Sebelius, other than to pray for their conversion. It's wasted effort, unless it accomplishes change or inspires others to change.

It sounds altogether apocalyptic, but we really do seem to be living right on the cusp of the fracturing of society into two extreme camps at war with each other. Well, maybe it's already happened. The Pro-Life majority (albiet a thin one) seems to have been unable to effect any long term change in society. Now the pendulum swings the other way. At some point the pendulum is going to come off the pin and the works will go awry.

Is it time for a Culture of Life political party? Deal - I would be most interested in your take on that. It seems that time has come, yet the penetrance of third parties in this system is so poor, and they seem to drain support from the larger more viable party.

Deal Hudson, who I’m sure is a decent enough man, just can’t seem to get his facts straight about us or Kathleen Sebilius. The media continues to trumpet him as a “Catholic Leader,” even though time and time again he is proven false.

Today Deal called us “surrogates” for Kathleen Sebelius. I guess for pointing out, accurately, that she reduced the number of abortions in Kansas. While I would be honored to be a surrogate for the administration or Sec. Sebelius, I felt it was necessary to clearly say we are not.

Further he calls our claims “dishonest” citing a commentary by his friend Dr. Michael New over on Robert George’s blog. New says the suggestion that Sebilius reduced abortions is wrong on three fronts. He starts

"First and foremost, abortion statistics from Kansas are among the least reliable in the country. Between 1979 and 1987 data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment indicate that the number of abortions performed in Kansas fell by almost 50 percent. Then between 1987 and 1992 the number of abortions suddenly increased by 73 percent. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment states that these sharp fluctuations are partly due to changes in reporting and not the actual incidence of abortion. Furthermore, according to data from the CDC, 40 percent of Kansas abortions are performed on out of state residents, which is one of the highest figures in the country."

Well, with a little research, one finds this is largely due to access to clinics in Kansas coupled with surrounding state laws. Further, his last point “40 percent of Kansas abortions are performed on out of state residents, which is one of the highest figures in the country,” actually suggest that Sebelius’ policies worked better than we initially reported because her abortion reduction policies are primarily focussed on citizens of her own state.

"Furthermore, when discussing this abortion decline it is unfortunate, but unsurprising, that Catholics United makes no mention of the Casey style “Women’s Right to Know Bill” which took effect in Kansas in 1997. This bill gives women seeking abortions information on fetal development, health risks involved with abortion, and public and private sources of support for single mothers. My research indicates that these laws have been effective at reducing abortion rates in other states. Furthermore, Catholic United does not mention the increased scrutiny given to late term abortionist George Tiller by both former Attorney General Phill Kline and Operation Rescue."

“Women’s Right to Know Bill,” which New writes about here, simply does not justify a 1-1 correlation in abortion reduction measures. Especially if you control for the 40% out-of-state "abortions. His suggestion that “My research indicates that these laws have been effective,” way oversteps the conclusions that his research ought to allow for. Further, we (and CU) took the George Tiller story head on. He then writes,

"Furthermore, during her tenure as Governor, Kathleen Sebelius has failed to support a number of policies that would have further reduced abortions in Kansas. Sebelius cut state funding for abortion alternatives, vetoed a bill imposing minimal sanitary standards, on abortion clinics, and vetoed a bill that would have strengthened Kansas’s parental notification law. More shocking, is Sebelius’ unyielding support for late-term abortions. She has vetoed a measure that would require explicit medical reasons for late-term abortions and vetoed another measure which would require abortion providers to report the diagnosis which necessitated a post-viability abortion."

This is a faulty argument. I think what he means to say is that Sebilius faced a budget crisis and cut across the board - just like nearly every other state. And, This late-term stuff is the same lie they pushed with Obama. The law as written was unconstitutional. And, late-term abortion legislation already stood on the state and federal level.

You know it is fine to be unwilling to work practically to help women and reduce the numbers of abortions. This group of men have done that for years. But I just wish they wouldn’t distort the truth so openly.

The son of Governor Sebelius has come out with an "Adult Game".

In the game, one goal is to put "glass in the food of someone that is a character in the game."

Governor Sebelius (and her husband!) are quite proud of the "creative abilities" of their son in coming up with this game.

The game may make money, but is it wise to set the example of having a game where putting "glass in somone's food" is promoted as a "good".

We have enough trouble with our society...

As Jesus clearly said: "You know a tree by its fruits: a good tree will bear good fruits; and a bad tree will bear bad fruits."

Clearly, Governor Sebelius (and now her son) are clearly part of the tree of "bad fruit".

The title of the game is offensive, so it is not listed here...

+God bless.

ChristopherMHoss

Here is the diocese of Scranton PA, we are blessed to have a wonderful pro-life, pro-family bishop. Bishop Martino is hammered everyday by our local talk radio station and news media. All are owned by Times Shamrock corp. www.times-tribune.com place Bishop Martino in search, and read for yourselves. You can also leave a comment amongst some of the most awful diatribes.
This past St. Pat's day the Friendly Sons of St Patrick's honored Chris Matthews (MSNBC fame) in the presence of clergy and a former Bishop, with the brunt of jokes aimmed at Bishop Martino who was not presence. (Robert Casey was, though.)
The audacity of Sebilius, Pelosi, Biden, Kerry, Kennedy, Swartzenneger, compounded by Brownback's praise of Sebilius makes me cry out "Lord Jesus Come in Glory".

My archbishop is Naumann! He is awesome. I give him kudos for standing against Kathleen Sebilius.