Part III of III - The Expanding Constitutional Crisis , background on the crisis and a call to action.

HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius

Sebelius,  an abortion freak (just look at her face and you know the truth - no?),  has been invited to Georgetown University to give a commencement address.  No one knows if she will order the covering of the symbolic name of Jesus as did her boss,  Hussein Obama.  


Health and Human Service  (HHS)  director,  Kathleen Sebelius has an extensive pro-abortion record, including presiding over the implementation of Obamacare.   As Governor of Kansas,  her administration shredded hundreds of documents resulting in the dismissal of criminal charges already in the works against Planned Parenthood.  In so doing,  she made known the fact that she would stop at nothing to win the day for free abortions,  unrestricted by law.  She faithfully represents the same degree of bias as Barack Obama who may be even more of an "abortion freak,"  willing to allow surviving abortion victims to die or be killed after full term birth. 

The Cardinal Newman Society has been leading a campaign to get students, staff, alumni and other concerned people to contact Georgetown. It has also alerted Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl and sent a letter to Georgetown President John DeGioia (see Part II of III) urging him to immediately withdraw the invitation.

The Archdiocese of Washington has since criticized the Catholic college:

During the past week there has been much in the national and local news regarding the controversial selection of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to be a featured speaker at an awards ceremony at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute.  Yesterday, the President of the University, John J. DeGioia (May 15),  issued a public statement in response to the concerns, objections and even outrage that have been expressed.

The Archdiocese of Washington reserved public comment to permit Georgetown University and its sponsor, the Society of Jesus, the opportunity to address the controversy.  While the explanation of how this unfortunate decision was made is appreciated, it does not address the real issue for concern – the selection of a featured speaker whose actions as a public official present the most direct challenge to religious liberty in recent history and the apparent lack of unity with and disregard for the bishops and so many others across the nation who are committed to the defense of freedom of religion.

Contrary to what is indicated in the Georgetown University President’s statement, the fundamental issue with the HHS mandate is not about contraception.  As the United States Bishops have repeatedly pointed out, the issue is religious freedom.  Secretary Sebelius’ mandate defines religious ministry so narrowly that our Catholic schools and universities, hospitals and social service ministries do not qualify as “religious enough” to be exempt.  This redefinition of religion penalizes Catholic organizations because they welcome and serve all people regardless of their faith.  Ironically, because of Georgetown’s commitment to open its doors to Catholic and non-Catholic students alike, the university fails to qualify as a religious institution under the HHS mandate.


Note from blog editor:  we are overlooking the fact that Georgetown representatives are hardly supportive of established Catholic doctrine,  reject papal authority and are in disagreement with the Church that qualifies their ministry.  As I see it,  the problem, at present,  begins with Georgetown rebellion to his over-lords.  I hasten to add that Georgetown is not independent of the Catholic Church.  Like it or not,  the school is a functionary of established Catholicism first,  and the secular government,  second.  

Given the dramatic impact this mandate will have on Georgetown and all Catholic institutions, it is understandable that Catholics across the country would find shocking the choice of Secretary Sebelius, the architect of the mandate, to receive such special recognition at a Catholic university. It is also understandable that Catholics would view this as a challenge to the bishops.

It is especially distressing to think that the university’s Public Policy Institute would be unaware of this national debate since the mandate was published last August.  Such a radical redefining of ministry should prompt Georgetown, as a Catholic and Jesuit university, to do more to challenge the mandate and speak up for freedom of religion.


End Notes: 


Contact numbers for Georgetown University:   O Street Northwest Washington, DC  (202) 687-0100


Georgetown School of Medicine :  3900 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC (202) 687-0100