Is Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius complying with the request of Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, by not presenting herself at Mass for the reception of Communion?

Beth Martino, the governor’s press secretary and communications director, gave this reply today to the Register to that question:

“The Governor’s faith is personal and private,” Martino said by email. “Her communication with Archbishop Naumann regarding matters of her faith also is personal.”

It should be noted that Archbishop Naumann’s request that Sebelius stop presenting herself for Communion, because of her consistent record of supporting abortion as a Catholic in public life, was not a private action.

Archbishop Naumann published a column in the May 9, 2008 issue of The Leaven, the archdiocesan newspaper, in order to make it publicly known that he had requested Sebelius not to receive Communion until she seeks to repair the public scandal caused by her long-standing support for legal abortion.

In a subsequent Q&A interview published by The Leaven, Archbishop Naumann elaborated on why Sebelius is acting in a scandalous manner by continuing to support abortion:

What is meant when it is said that Gov. Sebelius’ actions were scandalous?
Archbishop Naumann: To answer this question, I again refer to “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper,” which references the Catechism of the Catholic Church: “To give scandal means more than to cause other people to be shocked or upset by what one does. Rather, one’s action leads someone else to sin. Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. To lead others into sin is indeed a very serious matter. Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged” (no. 4).

Governor Sebelius’ public support for legalized abortion, as a Catholic, naturally leads others to question the moral gravity of abortion. In effect, her actions and advocacy for legalized abortion, coupled with her reception of holy Communion, have said to other Catholics: “I am a good Catholic and I support legalized abortion. You can be a good Catholic and support legalized abortion.”