Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann on the Sebelius Nomination | Moral Accountability
The appointment of Governor Sebelius as the Secretary of Health and Human Services 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.
I am also concerned personally for Governor Sebelius. Her appointment as Health and Human Services Secretary places her in a position where, unless she is prepared to reverse her own long held positions, will involve her with the development and implementation of policies that will only deepen her cooperation with the destruction of innocent human life.
I am also concerned that the appointment of Governor Sebelius places another Catholic supporting legalized abortion in a prominent national position. It saddens me that so many Catholic politicians, 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.
The protection of conscience rights for individuals and institutions is another extremely important issue. If efforts are successful in having 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. Advocates for the so called “right to abortion” would love to see Catholic hospitals faced with the choice to either cooperate in providing abortions or close.
In many important areas Governor Sebelius embraces 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. Still, for the reasons stated above, her appointment is ill advised.
