Catholic Church Disaffiliates “Catholic” College Hosting Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards
A California university hosting one of the foremost abortion activists in America is no longer Catholic, though its roots are in the faith.
Earlier this week, LifeNews reported the Dominican University of California invited Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards to speak as part of its spring lecture series.
Because of the school’s roots in the Catholic Church and its name, Dominican appears to be Catholic. But that is not the case, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.
The university no longer is recognized as Catholic by the Catholic Church, the group told LifeNews.
“Despite the misleading name of Dominican University — which alludes to its founding by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, the great Catholic evangelist Saint Dominic, and a formerly authentic Catholic education — it is important to make Catholic families aware that Dominican University of California is no longer recognized as a Catholic university by Church authority,” the group said.
In 2012, the Cardinal Newman Society said it first noticed that Dominican University was not on the Official Catholic Directory anymore. However, the group said it is not widely known that the university is now secular.
Given its invitation to Richards, who aggressively lobbies against the Catholic Church on many issues, the group said alumni and donors probably have recognized that the university has abandoned its foundation in Catholic education.
However, Cardinal Newman Society said the university website’s mention of “Dominican ideas” and other Catholic references may be confusing to those not familiar with the school. It urged Dominican University to “be candid” about its secular mission.
“Catholic families in California and elsewhere deserve to be aware that Dominican University is not a valid option for Catholic education,” the group said.
Earlier this week, the university described the Planned Parenthood CEO as “a national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice,” but Richards actually is an abortion activist who has repeatedly fought against the Catholic Church and its teachings about the sanctity of human life.
Richards is the outgoing president of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion business in America. During her tenure, the highly paid “non-profit” CEO oversaw the abortion deaths of approximately 3.8 million unborn babies.
Specific to religious liberty, Richards led the abortion chain in attacking conscience protection rights for Catholics and other religious individuals and even trying to force a group of nuns to pay for drugs that may cause abortions.
Under Richards’ leadership, Planned Parenthood saw huge drops in patient numbers and actual health services and scandal after scandal involving aborted baby body parts trafficking, sexual abuse cover-ups and Medicaid fraud.
At the same time, the abortion chain reaped in record profits, including billions in taxpayer funding, and maintained a corner on the American abortion market. It increased its political advocacy and attacked numerous efforts to protect unborn and born babies from abortion.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion business in America, aborting approximately 320,000 unborn babies every year. Its most recent annual report showed a record income of $1.46 billion, with about half a billion dollars coming from taxpayers.
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating whether the abortion chain illegally sold aborted baby body parts.
Richards announced her resignation in January.
Earlier this week, LifeNews reported the Dominican University of California invited Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards to speak as part of its spring lecture series.
Because of the school’s roots in the Catholic Church and its name, Dominican appears to be Catholic. But that is not the case, according to the Cardinal Newman Society.
The university no longer is recognized as Catholic by the Catholic Church, the group told LifeNews.
“Despite the misleading name of Dominican University — which alludes to its founding by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, the great Catholic evangelist Saint Dominic, and a formerly authentic Catholic education — it is important to make Catholic families aware that Dominican University of California is no longer recognized as a Catholic university by Church authority,” the group said.
In 2012, the Cardinal Newman Society said it first noticed that Dominican University was not on the Official Catholic Directory anymore. However, the group said it is not widely known that the university is now secular.
Given its invitation to Richards, who aggressively lobbies against the Catholic Church on many issues, the group said alumni and donors probably have recognized that the university has abandoned its foundation in Catholic education.
However, Cardinal Newman Society said the university website’s mention of “Dominican ideas” and other Catholic references may be confusing to those not familiar with the school. It urged Dominican University to “be candid” about its secular mission.
“Catholic families in California and elsewhere deserve to be aware that Dominican University is not a valid option for Catholic education,” the group said.
Earlier this week, the university described the Planned Parenthood CEO as “a national leader for women’s rights and social and economic justice,” but Richards actually is an abortion activist who has repeatedly fought against the Catholic Church and its teachings about the sanctity of human life.
Richards is the outgoing president of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion business in America. During her tenure, the highly paid “non-profit” CEO oversaw the abortion deaths of approximately 3.8 million unborn babies.
Specific to religious liberty, Richards led the abortion chain in attacking conscience protection rights for Catholics and other religious individuals and even trying to force a group of nuns to pay for drugs that may cause abortions.
Under Richards’ leadership, Planned Parenthood saw huge drops in patient numbers and actual health services and scandal after scandal involving aborted baby body parts trafficking, sexual abuse cover-ups and Medicaid fraud.
At the same time, the abortion chain reaped in record profits, including billions in taxpayer funding, and maintained a corner on the American abortion market. It increased its political advocacy and attacked numerous efforts to protect unborn and born babies from abortion.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion business in America, aborting approximately 320,000 unborn babies every year. Its most recent annual report showed a record income of $1.46 billion, with about half a billion dollars coming from taxpayers.
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating whether the abortion chain illegally sold aborted baby body parts.
Richards announced her resignation in January.
All But Three Democrats Voted to Allow Unlimited Abortions Up to Birth
Just three Democrats in the U.S. Senate supported a bill on Monday that would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks when unborn babies are capable of feeling pain.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which has strong public support from Republicans and Democrats alike, narrowly failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Monday in a 51-46 vote. The bill needed 60 votes to overcome Democrats’ filibuster.
The bill would save as many as 18,000 unborn babies form abortions every year in the U.S.
U.S. Sens. Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia were the only Democrats who supported the legislation.
They alone listened to the majority of their constituents by supporting the moderate abortion ban. Polls consistently show strong public support for a 20-week abortion ban, including a majority of Democrats and women.
Democrats’ votes on the legislation could make a difference at the voting booth this fall. Casey, Donnelly and Manchin are up for re-election, as are several Democrats who voted against the late-term abortion ban.
The Democratic Party is becoming increasingly radical and out of touch with voters on the abortion issue. Some party leaders, backed by the abortion industry, are pushing for full support of abortion on demand up to birth from elected officials. The party’s top donor even said he will not donate to Democrat candidates who are pro-life.
Yet, Democrats like Casey, Donnelly and Manchin are the ones supporting legislation that is in line with the average Democrat on abortion.
In contrast, Democrat U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Jon Tester of
According to a recent Gallup poll, just 29 percent of Americans want unlimited abortion up to birth. Fact checkers also have confirmed that the U.S. is one of only seven countries in the world that allows elective abortions after 20 weeks, something the Pain-Capable bill would have changed.
Democrats for Life estimates more than 23 million Democrats in the U.S. are pro-life. In 2016, Pew Research found that 28 percent of Democrats say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. Marist/KofC polling also found that 23 percent of Democrats consider themselves pro-life and 40 percent say abortion is morally wrong.
After the vote Monday, the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List announced plans to target pro-abortion Democrats by exposing their “extreme” abortion support through online ads and websites, the Washington Examiner reports.
“As the polling … makes clear, their votes against this compassionate, consensus legislation put these senators dramatically out of step with their constituents and the pro-life American majority,” SBA List said in a statement.
The U.S. House already approved the legislation, but Democrats in the Senate used a filibuster, requiring it to get 60 votes to move forward, to stop the bill. In the House, the vote for the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act broke down on mostly partisan lines with Republicans supporting the ban on late-term abortions and most Democrats opposing it. The House approved the bill on a 237-189 vote.
President Donald Trump condemned late-term abortions and supported the bill during his March for Life address in January.
Sixteen states have enacted similar laws that ban abortions after 20 weeks. These include Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Idaho, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which has strong public support from Republicans and Democrats alike, narrowly failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Monday in a 51-46 vote. The bill needed 60 votes to overcome Democrats’ filibuster.
The bill would save as many as 18,000 unborn babies form abortions every year in the U.S.
U.S. Sens. Bob Casey Jr. of Pennsylvania, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia were the only Democrats who supported the legislation.
They alone listened to the majority of their constituents by supporting the moderate abortion ban. Polls consistently show strong public support for a 20-week abortion ban, including a majority of Democrats and women.
Democrats’ votes on the legislation could make a difference at the voting booth this fall. Casey, Donnelly and Manchin are up for re-election, as are several Democrats who voted against the late-term abortion ban.
The Democratic Party is becoming increasingly radical and out of touch with voters on the abortion issue. Some party leaders, backed by the abortion industry, are pushing for full support of abortion on demand up to birth from elected officials. The party’s top donor even said he will not donate to Democrat candidates who are pro-life.
Yet, Democrats like Casey, Donnelly and Manchin are the ones supporting legislation that is in line with the average Democrat on abortion.
In contrast, Democrat U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Jon Tester of
According to a recent Gallup poll, just 29 percent of Americans want unlimited abortion up to birth. Fact checkers also have confirmed that the U.S. is one of only seven countries in the world that allows elective abortions after 20 weeks, something the Pain-Capable bill would have changed.
Democrats for Life estimates more than 23 million Democrats in the U.S. are pro-life. In 2016, Pew Research found that 28 percent of Democrats say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases. Marist/KofC polling also found that 23 percent of Democrats consider themselves pro-life and 40 percent say abortion is morally wrong.
After the vote Monday, the pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List announced plans to target pro-abortion Democrats by exposing their “extreme” abortion support through online ads and websites, the Washington Examiner reports.
“As the polling … makes clear, their votes against this compassionate, consensus legislation put these senators dramatically out of step with their constituents and the pro-life American majority,” SBA List said in a statement.
The U.S. House already approved the legislation, but Democrats in the Senate used a filibuster, requiring it to get 60 votes to move forward, to stop the bill. In the House, the vote for the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act broke down on mostly partisan lines with Republicans supporting the ban on late-term abortions and most Democrats opposing it. The House approved the bill on a 237-189 vote.
President Donald Trump condemned late-term abortions and supported the bill during his March for Life address in January.
Sixteen states have enacted similar laws that ban abortions after 20 weeks. These include Ohio, Texas, Nebraska, Idaho, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas.
Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards Resigns After Presiding Over 3.5 Million Abortions
Planned Parenthood CEO Cecile Richards plans to resign from her position after overseeing more than 3 million unborn babies’ abortion deaths, liberal news outlets reported Wednesday.
The abortion chain has not confirmed Richards’ resignation yet; however, two separate, anonymous sources told Buzzfeed about her plans to resign.
“Cecile plans to discuss 2018 and the next steps for Planned Parenthood’s future at the upcoming board meeting,” a spokesperson for the abortion chain said Wednesday.
The CEO since 2006, Richards drew in huge salary by leading the “non-profit.” During her tenure, Planned Parenthood saw huge drops in patient numbers and actual health services and scandal after scandal involving aborted baby body parts trafficking and sexual abuse cover-ups.
At the same time, the abortion chain reaped in record profits, including billions in taxpayer funding, and maintained a corner on the American abortion market. It ramped up its political advocacy and attacked numerous efforts to protect unborn and born babies from abortion.
On Twitter, Susan B. Anthony List noted the news by mourning the number of unborn babies who have died under Richards’ leadership.
Richards expanded political advocacy at Planned Parenthood. Her background was in politics, not health care. Previously, she worked for pro-abortion House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the liberal advocacy group America Votes. She is the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
Here’s more from the liberal news blog:
Her departure would mark a significant change for the country’s most prominent abortion rights group, a set of linked organizations known as the the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its political arm, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Richards was the face and voice of both, as Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly to cut their federal funding.
During her time as president, Richards greatly expanded the organization’s fundraising and organizing capabilities — and helped raise the its profile through celebrity-oriented campaigns and increased political participation. Over the past decade in particular, Democrats have further embraced abortion rights as a central part of the party’s platform — a shift that can be credited in large part to Planned Parenthood’s increased prominence under Richards.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion business in America, aborting approximately 320,000 unborn babies every year. Its most recent annual report showed a record income of $1.46 billion, with about half a billion dollars coming from taxpayers.
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating whether the abortion chain illegally sold aborted baby body parts.
The abortion chain has not confirmed Richards’ resignation yet; however, two separate, anonymous sources told Buzzfeed about her plans to resign.
“Cecile plans to discuss 2018 and the next steps for Planned Parenthood’s future at the upcoming board meeting,” a spokesperson for the abortion chain said Wednesday.
The CEO since 2006, Richards drew in huge salary by leading the “non-profit.” During her tenure, Planned Parenthood saw huge drops in patient numbers and actual health services and scandal after scandal involving aborted baby body parts trafficking and sexual abuse cover-ups.
At the same time, the abortion chain reaped in record profits, including billions in taxpayer funding, and maintained a corner on the American abortion market. It ramped up its political advocacy and attacked numerous efforts to protect unborn and born babies from abortion.
On Twitter, Susan B. Anthony List noted the news by mourning the number of unborn babies who have died under Richards’ leadership.
Richards expanded political advocacy at Planned Parenthood. Her background was in politics, not health care. Previously, she worked for pro-abortion House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the liberal advocacy group America Votes. She is the daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.
Here’s more from the liberal news blog:
Her departure would mark a significant change for the country’s most prominent abortion rights group, a set of linked organizations known as the the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its political arm, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Richards was the face and voice of both, as Republicans in Congress have tried repeatedly to cut their federal funding.
During her time as president, Richards greatly expanded the organization’s fundraising and organizing capabilities — and helped raise the its profile through celebrity-oriented campaigns and increased political participation. Over the past decade in particular, Democrats have further embraced abortion rights as a central part of the party’s platform — a shift that can be credited in large part to Planned Parenthood’s increased prominence under Richards.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion business in America, aborting approximately 320,000 unborn babies every year. Its most recent annual report showed a record income of $1.46 billion, with about half a billion dollars coming from taxpayers.
In December, the U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating whether the abortion chain illegally sold aborted baby body parts.
Pro-Abortion Activists Protest Campus Abortion Debate Because the Pro-Life Side is “Traumatizing”
Student abortion activists at Cornell University protested a debate about abortion last week, arguing that even an academic debate on the divisive subject could “traumatize” students.
The pro-abortion students appear to have been peaceful and did not interrupt the debate. However, the protest and the students’ comments add to growing concerns about censorship of pro-life advocates and conservatives, especially on college campuses.
Campus Reform reports student abortion activists with Cornell’s Planned Parenthood Generation Action protested the debate on Thursday, claiming it “normalized the idea that it is okay to control people’s bodies.” The university Democrats’ club also supported the protest, according to the report. The debaters were Ithaca College professor Jonathan Peeters and pro-life advocate and Blackstone Legal Fellowship faculty member Stephanie Gray.
In a Facebook post, the pro-abortion group said its goal was “to be a strong presence for reproductive rights and to provide support for anyone who may need it as this may be a traumatizing event for many people to hear their rights and bodily autonomy being questioned and judged.” The group also encouraged pro-abortion students to wear pink and hold signs supporting the Planned Parenthood abortion business.
Here’s more from the report:
PPGA Cornell chapter leader Zoe Maisel told Campus Reform that the protest was intended to provide more exposure to Planned Parenthood and its services.
Though PPGA did not stop anyone from attending or speaking, Maisel believed that the debate did not provide constructive dialogue. “We like to focus our energy on community education and community building and creating safe spaces,” she explained. “That isn’t necessarily what is happening in tonight’s debate so we want to create a space where we focus our energy, not on debating, but creating a welcoming space to learn.”
Pro-life advocates, students in particular, increasingly have become targets of hostility and censorship. Some have had to fight to start pro-life clubs or hold pro-life events on their college campuses.
Students for Life documented at least 40 incidents of vandalism alone in the past five years against its pro-life students groups. A new interactive map displays the places where its clubs have been victims of vandalism. This fall, vandals destroyed pro-life student displays at both Northern Kentucky University and St. Louis University. Campus Reform reported two other instances of vandalism just this week: one at the University of Florida and another at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
A few weeks ago, a professor at San Jose University also allegedly threatened to “ beat the s— out of” pro-life students who were protesting on campus. A university spokeswoman said they are investigating.
In March, a pro-life student display at the University of Colorado at Boulder was vandalized, and another one was vandalized in April at Texas State University. Yet another was vandalized at Fresno State University in California in May, allegedly by a professor.
“Other incidences of violence against our group include: Administrators destroying chalkings at Kutztown University, vandals throwing paint on a display at Portland State University, and a display of graduation cords (to highlight ‘missing students’ who were killed by abortion) at University of Miami,” according to Students for Life.
African-American Leaders Slam Planned Parenthood’s Racial Abortion Agenda
On Halloween, Planned Parenthood tweeted that it is safer for African-American women to undergo an abortion than to give birth. This fear-mongering message has served Planned Parenthood’s profit margins well across the country. In New York City, where there are countless Planned Parenthood facilities, more Black children are aborted than born. The African-American community is taking a stand against the abortion industry’s Black Genocide, and one Christian denomination is leading the charge.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Christian denomination in the United States. Recognizing that abortion is pervasive and specifically targeting their community, the Church of God in Christ stepped up to promote adoption among its churches and educate members about abortion and the pro-life cause.
In 2016, the Church of God in Christ entered into a 3-year partnership with Human Coalition, one of the largest pro-life organizations in the United States, to further this joint cause through the Family Life Campaign initiative. In November, during its annual Holy Convocation, COGIC believers, pastors, bishops, and leaders gathered outside of St. Louis’ notorious Planned Parenthood abortion facility to speak truth to power. Dozens gathered to pray, preach, and offer words of hope to abortion-determined women visiting the facility.
COGIC’s Bishop Vincent Mathews told the crowd that COGIC will not be a denomination complicit with Margaret Sanger’s Negro Project, which was designed to eliminate “human weeds” — those Sanger and her white cohorts deemed “unfit” members of the human race.
Catherine Davis, a Human Coalition Advisory Board member, broadcast the demonstration on Facebook Live. “These men and women of God are taking a stand out here today, and they are saying, ‘This far and no further.’ And they are saying ‘Planned Parenthood, we are putting you on notice that we will not tolerate you targeting our women anymore. We will not allow you to continue pointing at black women and brown women and women of color in your diabolical plan to control our birth rate and wipe us from the face of the earth.’”
Evangelist Lesley Monet, International Director of the Family Life Campaign, told me that she often prays at abortion facilities like the one in St. Louis. “Church of God in Christ is pro-life and we are taking a stand against what Planned Parenthood is all about, especially involving the tweet that went out on Halloween. We are here to take a stand and we’re here to help you, we love you; that is our message. It was a peaceful protest standing up for women in general and in particular for Black women.”
Lesley, who is an adoptive mother herself, shared that the Family Life Campaign is working diligently to help members adopt children in response to their pro-life calling.
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is the largest African-American Christian denomination in the United States. Recognizing that abortion is pervasive and specifically targeting their community, the Church of God in Christ stepped up to promote adoption among its churches and educate members about abortion and the pro-life cause.
In 2016, the Church of God in Christ entered into a 3-year partnership with Human Coalition, one of the largest pro-life organizations in the United States, to further this joint cause through the Family Life Campaign initiative. In November, during its annual Holy Convocation, COGIC believers, pastors, bishops, and leaders gathered outside of St. Louis’ notorious Planned Parenthood abortion facility to speak truth to power. Dozens gathered to pray, preach, and offer words of hope to abortion-determined women visiting the facility.
COGIC’s Bishop Vincent Mathews told the crowd that COGIC will not be a denomination complicit with Margaret Sanger’s Negro Project, which was designed to eliminate “human weeds” — those Sanger and her white cohorts deemed “unfit” members of the human race.
Catherine Davis, a Human Coalition Advisory Board member, broadcast the demonstration on Facebook Live. “These men and women of God are taking a stand out here today, and they are saying, ‘This far and no further.’ And they are saying ‘Planned Parenthood, we are putting you on notice that we will not tolerate you targeting our women anymore. We will not allow you to continue pointing at black women and brown women and women of color in your diabolical plan to control our birth rate and wipe us from the face of the earth.’”
Evangelist Lesley Monet, International Director of the Family Life Campaign, told me that she often prays at abortion facilities like the one in St. Louis. “Church of God in Christ is pro-life and we are taking a stand against what Planned Parenthood is all about, especially involving the tweet that went out on Halloween. We are here to take a stand and we’re here to help you, we love you; that is our message. It was a peaceful protest standing up for women in general and in particular for Black women.”
Lesley, who is an adoptive mother herself, shared that the Family Life Campaign is working diligently to help members adopt children in response to their pro-life calling.
Archbishop Calls on Priests to Preach More Pro-Life Homilies
Catholic Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City soon will become an even more influential pro-life leader in the United States.
Already a strong advocate for life in his current position, Naumann is slated to become the next leader of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee; U.S. Catholic bishops elected him to the position earlier this fall.
In an interview with Catholic World Report Monday, Naumann explained why the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death is a priority in his ministry and why other priests should make it a priority, too.
“… if the Church is silent on the destruction of life, we’re being negligent, and leaving our young people vulnerable to making this tragic decision,” Naumann said.
When he preaches about abortion, Naumann said he tries to be sensitive that people in the pews may have had experiences with abortion. He said he often mentions post-abortion healing programs such as Project Rachel.
“I say to such people that they know better than anyone else what a tragedy abortion is, and ask them to pray for me in my work that I can help others to know about the pain they’re experiencing,” he said.
He urged priests to talk about abortion more often because of its massive destruction of unborn children and families. He said more needs to be done to teach young people about the sanctity of human life.
“I’d also like to say to our priests: we can’t fail to talk to our people about these real sins that affect the lives of our people. If we talk about sins they don’t commit, of what good is that?” Naumann challenged.
A few people may walk out, as they have when he preaches about abortion, but the truth must be shared, he said.
“I pray for those who walk away, as I’ve obviously hit a difficult chord with them. But most people who hear me are supportive,” he continued.
Naumann also spoke about why he has rebuked Catholic politicians like former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine and former Kansas Governor and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for opposing protections for unborn babies.
Here’s more from the Church Militant:
He feels the first reaction from bishops should be to presume the politician in question is ignorant or poorly-catechized and then must explain the Church’s position to him.
But, Naumann argues, if a politician uses his Catholic name to try to convince other Catholics to betray the Faith, that is a grave danger to souls.
He blasted so-called “pro-choice Catholics,” saying, “Tim Kaine, a U.S. Senator and former vice presidential candidate, is another example of a politician who flaunted his Catholic background but spewed a lot of pro-choice rhetoric. When they do this, they’re taking on a teaching role and misleading our people.”
Naumann, who regularly attends the March for Life in Washington, D.C., also shared why the pro-life cause means so much to him personally:
“My own father was murdered before I was born. It was in December 1948, and I was just three months along inside my mother’s womb. So, I was part of a crisis pregnancy, in a sense, even though it was a different culture at the time. As the issue evolved and became an issue in our culture today, my personal background gave me a greater sensitivity to women facing a pregnancy under traumatic circumstances.”
Naumann will begin serving in the new position in about a year. He will replace New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan who currently leads the pro-life committee.
Already a strong advocate for life in his current position, Naumann is slated to become the next leader of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee; U.S. Catholic bishops elected him to the position earlier this fall.
In an interview with Catholic World Report Monday, Naumann explained why the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death is a priority in his ministry and why other priests should make it a priority, too.
“… if the Church is silent on the destruction of life, we’re being negligent, and leaving our young people vulnerable to making this tragic decision,” Naumann said.
When he preaches about abortion, Naumann said he tries to be sensitive that people in the pews may have had experiences with abortion. He said he often mentions post-abortion healing programs such as Project Rachel.
“I say to such people that they know better than anyone else what a tragedy abortion is, and ask them to pray for me in my work that I can help others to know about the pain they’re experiencing,” he said.
He urged priests to talk about abortion more often because of its massive destruction of unborn children and families. He said more needs to be done to teach young people about the sanctity of human life.
“I’d also like to say to our priests: we can’t fail to talk to our people about these real sins that affect the lives of our people. If we talk about sins they don’t commit, of what good is that?” Naumann challenged.
A few people may walk out, as they have when he preaches about abortion, but the truth must be shared, he said.
“I pray for those who walk away, as I’ve obviously hit a difficult chord with them. But most people who hear me are supportive,” he continued.
Naumann also spoke about why he has rebuked Catholic politicians like former vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine and former Kansas Governor and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for opposing protections for unborn babies.
Here’s more from the Church Militant:
He feels the first reaction from bishops should be to presume the politician in question is ignorant or poorly-catechized and then must explain the Church’s position to him.
But, Naumann argues, if a politician uses his Catholic name to try to convince other Catholics to betray the Faith, that is a grave danger to souls.
He blasted so-called “pro-choice Catholics,” saying, “Tim Kaine, a U.S. Senator and former vice presidential candidate, is another example of a politician who flaunted his Catholic background but spewed a lot of pro-choice rhetoric. When they do this, they’re taking on a teaching role and misleading our people.”
Naumann, who regularly attends the March for Life in Washington, D.C., also shared why the pro-life cause means so much to him personally:
“My own father was murdered before I was born. It was in December 1948, and I was just three months along inside my mother’s womb. So, I was part of a crisis pregnancy, in a sense, even though it was a different culture at the time. As the issue evolved and became an issue in our culture today, my personal background gave me a greater sensitivity to women facing a pregnancy under traumatic circumstances.”
Naumann will begin serving in the new position in about a year. He will replace New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan who currently leads the pro-life committee.