Washington, D.C. (08 June 2010) – American Life League President Judie Brown is calling for Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to demand the removal of Sr. Carol Keehan from her position as head of the Catholic Health Association.
Four days ago, Keehan was pressured by the Knights of Malta to resign from a prestigious hospital board post.
“In direct defiance of Cardinal George and many other bishops who declared that the new pro-abortion health reform law cannot be supported by Catholics due to its pro-abortion provisions, Sr. Keehan threw the full weight of the CHA behind the law,” said Brown. “This kind of defiance not only warrants the dissolution of her relationship with the USCCB, but her dismissal from the CHA altogether.”
Sr. Keehan stated repeatedly prior to the passage of the new law that she would remain in solidarity with the bishops, with whom she had been working closely. She reiterated that her organization would “be willing to compromise on preferences, not on principles.” After fully endorsing the bill, which many believe provided the momentum some members of Congress needed to vote for it, Sr. Keehan received one of the 21 ceremonial pens used to sign the bill into law.
“Cardinal George is in a unique position to lead the bishops of the United States to ‘restore all things in Christ,’” said Brown. “Removing a dissident nun from such an influential post is a good step in fulfilling that mandate.”
“In addition to defying the bishops, Sr. Keehan is evading the CHA’s own mission,” added Brown.
CHA’s web site describes its mission as the following:
Since 1915, [Catholic health care] organizations have come together in the Catholic Health Association of the United States to achieve collectively what they could not individually. Through CHA, the ministry raises its passionate voice advocating justice and compassionate care for people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds from conception to natural death.
“Fully supporting the new health care reform law as it is written denies the just and compassionate care Sr. Keehan is supposed to be advocating,” said Brown. “It is imperative that Cardinal George and the USCCB demand Sr. Keehan’s removal from the CHA.”
American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lifesitenews.com: Commentary: Sister Carol Keehan Misrepresents Her Support of the Health-Care Bill (10 May 2010)
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/may/10051006.html
Catholic Exchange: USCCB President Slams Catholic Health Association Support for Health Bill (17 March 2010)
http://catholicexchange.com/2010/03/17/128158/
Catholic Health Association of the United States: Mission Statement
http://www.chausa.org/Pages/About_CHA/Overview/