Statements by Bishops -
on Catholics and Political Responsibility
Updated April 23, 2009
"To claim the right to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia, and to recognize that right in law, means to attribute to human freedom a perverse and evil significance: that of an absolute power over others and against others. This is the death of true freedom..." [Pope John Paul II - Evangelium Vitae 20]
Bishops in the United States have individually expressed concern about Catholics who publicly oppose fundamental Catholic doctrine -- especially politicians. This section includes excerpts from published statements or columns by the bishops, or interviews, with links. (Unless otherwise indicated, click title to go to the complete version on this site, or to access on the site where it originally appeared.)
The items on this page are arranged chronologically, beginning with the latest. This section is updated regularly.
This page are statements between 2009 and the Present
Statements between 1990-2004 | Statements between 2005-2007 | Statements between January 2008- September 2008 | Statements between October 2008-December 2008 | Statements between 2009 - Present
Bishop Statements on President Barack Obama and Notre Dame, May, 2009
|
Chronological Order |
Alphabetical Order |
| Statements between 2009 - Present Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann - March 6, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - March 4, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - February 23, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - January 28, 2009 Bishop Robert Hermann - January 23, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - January 21, 2009 Archbishop John Myers - June 1990 Bishop Edward U. Kmiec - January 28, 2005 Statements between Jan 2008- Sept 2008 Bishop William E. Lori - ?-2008 Statements between Oct 2008-Dec 2008 Bishop Earl Boyea - October 2008 |
Bishop Joseph V. Adamec - May 3, 2004 Bishop Kenneth A. Angell - October 23, 2004 Bishop Samuel Aquila - April 25, 2004 Bishop Samuel Aquila - May 23-29, 2004 Bishop Samuel Aquila - November 30, 2004 Bishop Samuel Aquila - August 26, 2008 Bishop Samuel Aquila - November 3, 2008 Bishop Samuel Aquila - November 14, 2008 Cardinal Francis Arinze - April 23, 2004 Cardinal Francis Arinze - May 26, 2004 Arizona Catholic Conference - September 2006 Arizona Catholic Conference - October 2006 Bishop Gregory Aymond - June 11, 2004 Bishop Gregory Aymond - September 2004 Bishop Gregory Aymond - September 2008 Bishop Robert Baker - June 2004 Bishop Robert Baker - August 4, 2004 Bishop Victor Balke - June 24, 2004 Bishop Gerald Barbarito - August 5, 2004 Bishop Leonard Blair - September 2, 3, 2004 Bishop Raymond Boland - October 7, 2004 Bishop Earl Boyea - October 2008 Bishop Earl Boyea - October 27, 2008 Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt- August 10, 2004 Bishop Edward K. Braxton - October 11, 2004 Archbishop Alexander Brunett - July 19, 2004 Archbishop Raymond Burke - November 23, 2003 Archbishop Raymond Burke - June 21-28, 2004 Archbishop Raymond Burke - September 24, 2004 Archbishop Raymond Burke - October 1, 2004 Archbishop Raymond Burke - October 5, 2004 Archbishop Raymond Burke - August 2008 Archbishop Raymond Burke - November 3, 2008 Bishop Oscar Cantu - August 2008 Bishop Robert Carlson - August 2004 Bishop Robert J. Carlson - October 28, 2008 Archbishop Charles Chaput - April 14, 2004 Archbishop Charles Chaput - May 26, 2004 Archbishop Charles Chaput - September 22, 2004 Archbishop Charles Chaput - October 22, 2004 Archbishop Charles Chaput - January 16, 2008 Archbishop Charles Chaput - May 19, 2008 Archbishop Charles Chaput - August 2008 Archbishop Charles J. Chaput - September 8, 2008 Archbishop Charles Chaput - January 21, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - January 28, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - February 23, 2009 Archbishop Charles Chaput - March 4, 2009 Bishop Paul S. Coakley - August 15, 2006 Bishop Paul S. Coakley - January 31, 2007 Bishop Paul S. Coakley - October 16, 2008 Bishop George Coleman - October 29, 2004 Bishop James D. Conley - August 2008 Bishop James D. Conley - September 8, 2008 Bishop Blase Cupich - October 27, 2008 Archbishop Elden Curtiss - May 7, 2004 Bishop Elden F. Curtiss - November 1, 2008 Bishop John M. D'Arcy - April 28, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - March 6, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - June 5, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - July 3, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - September 18, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - October 23, 2004 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - October 28, 2006 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - October 27, 2007 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - June 21, 2008 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - September 6, 2008 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - September 19, 2008 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - October 4, 2008 Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio - November 1, 2008 Cardinal Daniel DiNardo - September 26, 2008 Archbishop Timothy Dolan - September 27, 2008 Archbishop John F. Donoghue - July 22, 2004 Archbishop John F. Donoghue - August 4, 2004 Archbishop John F. Donoghue - September 16, 2004 Cardinal Avery Dulles - June 29, 2004 Cardinal Edward Egan - April 28, 2008 Cardinal Edward Egan - August 26, 2008 Cardinal Edward Egan - October 23, 2008 Bishop Kevin F. Farrell - August 2008 Bishop Kevin J. Farrell - October 8, 2008 Bishop Robert Finn - October 7, 2004 Bishop Robert W. Finn - September 12, 2008 Bishop Robert Finn - October 3, 2008 Bishop Robert Finn - October 17, 2008 Bishop Robert Finn - October 24, 2008 Bishop Robert Finn - November 3, 2008 Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza - June 11, 2004 Florida Bishop's Conference - October 1, 2004 Archbishop Harry J. Flynn - September 9,2004 Bishop Ronald Gainer- January 18, 2004 Bishop Ronald Gainer - June 24, 2004 Bishop Ronald W. Gainer - October 28, 2008 Bishop Joseph Galante - April 29, 2004; May 5, 2004 Bishop Joseph A. Galante - October 27, 2006 Bishop Victor Galeone - July/August 2004 Cardinal Francis George - October 10, 2004 Cardinal Francis George - September 3, 2008 Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore - August 15, 2006 Archbishop Jose Gomez - August 2008 Archbishop José H. Gomez - October 29, 2008 Bishop Joseph Gossman - July 8, 2004 Bishop Joseph Gossman - October 3, 2004 Bishop Rene H. Gracida - August 10, 2004 Bishop Rene H. Gracida - September 19, 2004 Bishop Rene H. Gracida - October 5, 2004 Bishop Charles Grahmann - July 2, 2004 Bishop Wilton Gregory - April 23, 2004 Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory - October 30, 2008 Bishop Thomas Gumbleton - October 20, 2004 Bishop Bernard Harrington - July 8, 2004 Bishop Robert Hermann - October 3, 10, 24, 31, 2008 Bishop Robert Hermann - November 7 & 14, 2008 Bishop Robert Hermann - January 23, 2009 Bishop Howard Hubbard - September-October 2004 Archbishop Alfred Hughes - January 14. 2004 Archbishop Alfred Hughes - September 20, 2004 Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes - October 11, 2008 Illinois Catholic Conference - October 2006 Catholic Conference of Illinois - September 22, 2008 Bishop Michael O. Jackels - August 15, 2006 Bishop Michael O. Jackels - October 17, 2008 Bishop James Vann Johnston - September 26, 2008 Bishop James Vann Johnston - October 3, 2008 Bishop Peter Jugis - August 4, 2004 Bishop Peter Jugis - August 14, 2004 Cardinal William H. Keeler - May 28, 2004 Bishop Gerald Kicanas - June 2, 2004 Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas - September 4, 2008 Bishop John Kinney - May 27, 2004 Bishop John F. Kinney - September 11, 2008 Bishop Edward U. Kmiec - January 28, 2005 Archbishop William Levada - June 13, 2004 Archbishop William Levada - July 31, 2004 Bishop Jerome E. Listecki - August 28, 2008 Bishop William Lori - July 2004 Bishop William Lori - October 2004 Bishop William E. Lori - ?-2008 Bishop Paul S. Loverde - October 31, 2004 Cardinal Roger Mahony - May 13, 2004 Bishop W. Francis Malooly - September 8, 2008 Bishop W. Francis Malooly - September 10, 2008 Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga - February 15, 2006 Bishop Joseph F. Martino - September 30, 2008 Massachusetts Bishops - October 29, 2004 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - April 29, 2004 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - May 13, 2004 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - June 1, 2004 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - July 6, 2004 Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - June 15, 2006 Bishop Timothy McDonnell - October 29, 2004 Bishop Robert McManus - April 27, 2004 Bishop Robert McManus - May 21, 2004 Bishop Robert McManus - June (?) 2004 Bishop Robert McManus - October 29, 2004 Bishop Carl Mengeling - May 2, 2004 Bishop Robert C. Morlino - January 22, 2004 Bishop Robert C. Morlino - September 7, 2008 Bishop Robert Mulvee - April 27, 2004 Bishop William Murphy - August 27, 2008 Bishop William Murphy - September 19, 2008 Archbishop John Myers - June 1990 Archbishop John Myers - May 5, 2004 Archbishop John Myers - September 17, 2004 Archbishop John Myers - October 29, 2008 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann - August 15, 2006 Archbishop Joseph Naumann - May 9, 2008 Archbishop Joseph Naumann - May 23, 2008 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann - September 12, 2008 Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann - March 6, 2009 Catholic Bishops of New York State - October 1, 2008 Bishop R. Walker Nickless - September 4, 2008 Archbishop George H. Niederauer - September 5, 2008 Archbishop John C. Nienstedt - August 26, 2008 Archbishop Nzeki of Kenya - May 30-31, 2004 Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - October 16, 2008 Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - October 23, 2008 Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - October 30, 2008 Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - November 11, 2008 Bishop Armando X. Ochoa - November 3, 2008 Bishop Thomas Olmsted - March 18, 2004 Bishop Thomas Olmsted - May 21 & 24, 2004 Bishop Thomas Olmsted - September 22, 2004 Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted - October 2006 Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted - September 4, 2008 Archbishop Sean O'Malley - October 29, 2004 Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley - August 29, 2008 Cardinal George Pell - June 12, 2007 Bishop Raymundo J. Peña - June 2004 Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk - May 7, 2004 Bishop Anthony Pilla - July 2004 (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - July 4-9, 2004) Bishop Kevin Rhoades - October 25, 2008 Bishop John Ricard - November 4, 2008 Bishop David Ricken - August, 2004 Bishop David Ricken - October 2004 Cardinal Justin Rigali - October 28, 2004 Bishop Michael Saltarelli - July 5, 2004 Bishop Michael Saltarelli - September 30. 2004 Bishop Bernard Schmitt - July 13, 2004 Bishop Bernard Schmitt - August 11, 2004 Bishop Bernard W. Schmitt - October 20, 2004 Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr - July (?) 2004 Bishop Dennis M. Schnurr - October 2008 Bishop Arthur Serratelli - October 13, 2008 Archbishop Michael Sheehan - May 21, 2004 Bishop Michael Sheridan - May 1, 2004 Bishop Michael Sheridan - May 27 & 29, 2004 Bishop Michael Sheridan - June 2004 Bishop Michael Sheridan - August 26, 2008 Bishop Larry Silva - October 19, 2008 Bishop William Skylstad - June 10, 2004 Bishop Edward J. Slattery - September 9, 2008 Bishop John Smith - April 29, 2004 Bishop J. Terry Steib - October 23, 2008 Bishop John Steinbock - July 2004 Bishop Phillip F. Straling - October 2004 Bishop Paul Swain - September 26, 2008 Bishop Anthony B. Taylor - November 1, 2008 Bishop George L. Thomas - August 2004 Bishop George L. Thomas - October 2004 Bishop George L. Thomas - September 19, 2008 Bishop Thomas Tobin - May 31, 2007 Bishop Thomas J. Tobin - October 29, 2008 (USCCB - June Meeting 2004) (USCCB - November Meeting 2007) Bishop Kevin W. Vann - October 8, 2008 Bishop Robert Vasa - June 25, 2004 Bishop Robert Vasa - March 1, 2007 Bishop Robert Vasa - September 5, 2008 Virginia Catholic Conference - October 2007 Virginia Catholic Conference - October 2008 Archbishop John Vlazny - May 6, 2004 Archbishop John G. Vlazny - September 30, 2008 Bishop William Weigand - January 22, 2003 Bishop Thomas Wenski - May 3, 2004 Bishop Thomas Wenski - October 21 2004 Bishop Thomas G. Wenski - September 2008 Bishop Donald Wuerl - May 25, 2004 Bishop Donald Wuerl - August 18, 2005 Archbishop Donald Wuerl - April 30, 2008 Archbishop Donald Wuerl - August 25, 2008 Archbishop Donald Wuerl - September 9, 2008 Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl - October 15, 2008 Bishop David Zubik - October 29, 2004 Bishop David A. Zubik - August 2008 Bishop David A. Zubik - October 2008 |
| March 2009 |
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
Archbishop of Kansas City, KS
Archbishop Naumann's Column for The Leaven (KCK archdiocese) on Sebelius Nomination - http://www.theleaven.com/columnist/archbishop_column.html
(Link also on The Catholic Key, Diocese of KC-St Joseph -
http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2009/03/archbishop-naumanns-column-on-sebelius.html
Leaven Column
March 6, 2009
by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann
Normally, it would be a source of joy and pride to have a Catholic from Kansas named by the President to an important Cabinet Post. Unfortunately, I experience neither with President Obama’s selection of Governor Kathleen Sebelius as his choice to serve as the Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
In many ways, I can understand why President Obama selected Governor Sebelius. As I have acknowledged on several other occasions she is a very bright and gifted leader. In many important areas, she represents well Catholic social teaching. She has advocated for more affordable housing for the poor, she has worked to expand access to health care for economically disadvantaged children, and she has supported incentives encouraging adoption.
Yet, on the fundamental moral issue of protecting innocent human life, Governor Sebelius, throughout her career, has been an outspoken advocate for legalized abortion. For this reason her appointment to HHS is particularly troubling.
President Obama has made a top priority for his administration health care reform. The Church certainly supports the objectives of such reform: to make quality health care accessible and affordable for everyone. Of course, there is vigorous debate on how to best achieve this important goal. I claim no competence or expertise in this area.
The Secretary for HHS will be a key figure in developing and implementing the Health Care Reform for the nation. There are those, who have great influence within the Obama administration and with whom Governor Sebelius has been associated throughout her political career (e.g. Planned Parenthood, National Organization of Women, NARAL, etc.), who want abortion not only to be permitted in this country but considered a right.
If they are successful in their efforts to have abortion included amongst “basic health care services,” then it is entirely possible that doctors, nurses and health care institutions will be compelled to cooperate in the provision of abortion. Those advocating for abortion to be considered a “right” would love to see Catholic hospitals faced with the choice to either cooperate in providing abortions or close.
The protection of conscience rights for individuals and institutions is extremely important. The Obama administration has already expressed a desire to rescind the policies of the Bush administration to strengthen conscience protection for health care workers and providers. President Obama, when he was Senator Obama, co-sponsored the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) that was introduced in the previous congress. That version of FOCA would have, among other things, forced health care providers to cooperate in abortion. Regretfully, Governor Sebelius throughout her political career has
been associated with and supported by Planned Parenthood, NOW, NARAL and others advocating for abortion to be considered a “health care right.”
Even more troubling is that earlier in her political career Governor Sebelius accepted political contributions from Wichita’s notorious late-term abortionist, Dr. George Tiller. When this was no longer politically opportune, Dr. Tiller established a political action committee through which he donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the election and re-election of Governor Sebelius, as well as other equally staunch supporters of legalized abortion.
Kansas has one of the most restrictive laws regarding late-term abortions. Yet, it has become, in large part because of Dr. Tiller, the late-term abortion capital of the Midwest. How is this possible? It is possible because our current laws have not been enforced. Each time the Kansas Legislature has passed statutes in an effort to improve enforcement of late-term abortion restrictions, Governor Sebelius has vetoed these laws.
As you are aware, because of her long history both as a legislator and Governor of consistently supporting legalized abortion and after many months of dialogue, I requested Governor Sebelius not to present herself for communion. I did this in the hope that it would motivate Governor Sebelius to reconsider her support for what is an intrinsic evil – the destruction of innocent human life by abortion. I also took this pastoral action to protect others from being misled by the Governor’s public support and advocacy for legalized abortion.
The appointment of Governor Sebelius as the Secretary of HHS concerns me on many levels. With her history of support for legalized abortion and embryonic stem cell research, it is troubling the important influence that she will have on shaping health care policies for our nation. Having elected President Obama with his own record of support for legalized abortion, our nation should not be surprised by his appointment of a Secretary for HHS who shares his views. Though many people voted for President Obama, not because of his support for legalized abortion but despite it, voters in effect gave him the ability to appoint individuals who share his anti-life views to his Cabinet and even more troubling to the courts.
I am also concerned personally for Governor Sebelius. Her appointment as Secretary for HHS places her in a position where she will have to make many decisions that will in all probability continue her personal involvement in promoting legalized abortion and her cooperation in this intrinsic evil.
I am also concerned that the appointment of Governor Sebelius places another Catholic supporting legalized abortion in a prominent national position. She joins Vice-President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and unfortunately a host of Catholic Senators and members of the House of Representatives who support legalized abortion contrary to the clear and consistent teaching of their Church. It saddens me that so many Catholics, to gain political advancement, have chosen to compromise their Catholic faith by their failure to defend the most fundamental of all human rights – the right to life.
I am reminded of the powerful scene in A Man for All Seasons, the play about the heroic Catholic English Martyr, St. Thomas More. After Richard Rich has perjured himself in order to make it possible to convict Thomas More of treason, the Judge asks Thomas More if he has any questions for the witness. Thomas More notes that Richard Rich is wearing a chain of office and asks what it signifies. He is told that Richard Rich has been appointed Attorney General for Wales. Thomas More then paraphrases the Gospel saying to Richard Rich: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul, but for Wales?”
We need to pray for all Catholics who serve in public life that they will have the courage and integrity to be true to the teachings and principles of our Faith no matter the political consequences.
Archbishop Charles Chaput
Archbishop of Denver
March 4, 2009:Senate Bill 225: troubling for Catholic medical care
| February 2009 |
Archbishop Charles Chaput
Archbishop of Denver
February 23, 2009: Rendering unto Caesar: The Catholic political vocation
| January 2009 |
Archbishop Charles Chaput
Archbishop of Denver
January 28, 2009: Thoughts on a ‘new beginning,’ and an old truth
Bishop Robert J. Hermann
Saint Louis, MO
January 23, 2009
Bishop Hermann: 'I thought you should know’
Pro-life Mass — Catholic identity
Archbishop Charles Chaput
Archbishop of Denver
January 21, 2009: Let your voice supporting life be heard
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