Pro-Obama Catholic rewarded with government job at HHS

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Ms. Alexia Kelley

Washington D.C., Jun 4, 2009 / 02:31 pm (CNA).- Alexia Kelley, Executive Director of "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good,” one of the pro-Obama Catholic organizations that strongly supported the appointment of the former Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has been named Director of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for the HHS.

Kelley co-founded Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (CACG) in 2005 and co-authored with Chris Korzen, "A Nation for All: How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America from the Politics of Division."

Both Kelley and Korzen have supported controversial political decisions and appointments made by the Obama administration, including the suspension of the Mexico City Policy and the decision to allow federally-funded embryonic stem cell research. Kelley and Korzen lent their support despite both measures drawing criticism from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The pair of political activists also created the website www.catholicsforsebelius.org to promote the confirmation of the pro-abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The campaign was conducted in spite of the fact that Sebelius' own bishop, Archbishop Joseph Naumann, asked her to refrain from receiving Holy Communion because of her support for abortion. Kelley and Korzen contended that while Sebelius is pro-choice, “she is personally opposed to abortion and has worked to reduce the number of abortions in the very red state where she, a pro-choice Democrat, was elected twice as governor.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, CACG congratulated Kelley “on this distinguished appointment,” and offered its “deepest appreciation for her tireless service to Catholics in Alliance over the past several years.”

“In her new position, Kelley will play a critical role empowering faith communities across the nation to advance a bold agenda for health care reform that ensures all American families have the affordable and quality care they deserve. Inspired by our faith’s teaching that health care is a human right central to serving the common good, Catholics will continue to be front and center in this critical effort,” the statement says.

Vicky Kovari, the National Field Director for Catholics in Alliance, has been named Interim Executive Director.

“At a time when millions lack health care, immigrants are often demonized as ‘aliens’ and the silent genocide of poverty shames a nation committed to equal opportunity, our core mission remains as vital as ever,” Kovari said.

She also addressed the issue of abortion, saying, “We are also poised to make real progress on preventing and reducing abortion. We are committed to finding common ground on this critical issue.”

Comments: 21

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Sara
FL 07/07/2009 08:51 AM EST

The government's "Faith-based" initiatives include all faiths, not just catholics, not just christians. Gov't cannot favor one religion over any other.

Published by: Colin
Dallas, TX 06/07/2009 08:48 PM EST

Sorry, my comment was for Dan and not Larry :)

Published by: Colin
Dallas, TX 06/07/2009 08:46 PM EST

Larry, remember Christ said that he will always be with the Church, even to the end of time. Regardless of what those in the Church do and don't do, the Catholic Church has the fullness of faith. Leave the Catholic Church and you leave Christ in the Eucharist.

Published by: John Anderson
West Haven, Connecticut 06/07/2009 03:58 PM EST

"Silent genocide of poverty"???!!! Hmmm, seems to be a pathetic attempt to make poverty on an equal footing with abortion.

Published by: Richard Fasy
Ridley Park, PA USA 06/05/2009 08:53 PM EST

With the stated positions of the Democrat party one cannot be a Democrat and be Roman Catholic simultaneously. Sebelius just surrounds herself with like-thinking comrades who have masked their self perception as though the person and the public office holder can have divergent philosophies of life and practice. It is indicative of the cowardice of many of the baby boomer generation and is the evolution of the same who ran from civic obligation between 1965-1975.

Published by: Joe
Cambridge/MA/USA 06/05/2009 03:17 PM EST

I think its worth pointing out that Catholics for Choice, along with many other pro-choice organizations, has come out strongly against the appointment of Alexia Kelley to this administration. Kelley is not pro-abortion. She is a Roman Catholic with a master's degree in theology who has spent her career attempting to dialogue with the other side for the sake of progress. This dialogue, of which Kelley has been a part, has led to common ground solutions like the Pregnant Women's Support Act, a bill in Congress put forth by Democrats and supported by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Chairman of Pro-life Activities for the USCCB. We need more strong Catholics like Kelley in public life.

I also want to point out that neither Kelley nor Korzen supported Obama's rescinding of the Mexico City policy or his increased funding of embryonic stem-cell research. This is a mistake by the author.

Finally, Kelley's commitment to creating a system which provides affordable healthcare for all people, especially the poor, stems from her Catholic faith and is rooted in more than a hundred years of years of Papal Catholic Social Teaching. As a Catholic, I am proud to have Alexia Kelley in this new position.

Published by: Steve
Kansas CIty/Kansas/USA 06/05/2009 02:23 PM EST

Dear Colin - your post is a problem. You call for common ground between those opposing abortion and those who do not oppose it. As abortion clearly is the destruction of innocent life I cannot fathom what common ground would look like.

Do you want me to agree to the destruction of some innocent life? An innocent life? If so, which and why should that child not be protected simply because of its humanity?

Why are you trying to undermine those of us who understand that abortion is evil? What or who is prompting you. This is a question you need the answer to. Whose work are you doing??

Published by: R.Newark
Norwood MA. USA 06/05/2009 12:38 PM EST

This person will never be buried from a catholic church

Published by: Janice
SD 06/05/2009 11:34 AM EST

I agree with Larry:

How can the Catholic Church not stand up to those who supposedly are catholic and actively pursuing Abortion and other issues. To me there are not exceptions.

You are either Pro-Choice or Pro-Life. I have found it interesting that my friends, not catholic, are pro-choice and pro-life for predators, etc.

At any rate, It would be nice to see the Catholic Church Bishops, Pope, etc. stand up for what the Catholic Church stands for. Obama loves portraying he is a friend of Catholics and opposes what the Catholic Church stands for. When the Catholic Church condones the speech at ND they lose ground and respect. It is better to be strong and smaller than weak and bigger.

Jan

Published by: Laurence Casey
Amarillo, TX 06/05/2009 10:23 AM EST

Using only our human brains we know that someone who advocates the murder of another human being is also a liar and cannot be trusted.

Published by: Dan
Wash DC 06/05/2009 10:00 AM EST

Larry,
After Notre Dame, I wanted to leave the Catholic church and join a more conservative, smaller and protestant church. Watch Pope Benedict cozy up to Obama when they meet. Kudos to the Bishops that stood up against Obama in Notre Dame, but they were only a quarter of the Bishops in the US. Some cardinals and the rest are great in the pulpit but absent in the front-lines on this war against abortion...

Published by: Don Schenk
Allentown/PA/USA 06/05/2009 09:25 AM EST

Back before the 2004 US elections, the then-cardinal Ratzinger wrote to the US bishops to remind them that--as a matter of fact--the Church has only ruled againsdt abortion and euthanasia, and that there can be a legitimate diversity of opinion about wars and capital punishment.
Earlier he had ruled against Catholics supporting "liberation theology," which is exactly what Ms. Kelley is famous for supporting.

But liberals in the Church keep on insisting that the extremely liberal position is the Church's teaching--no matter what the pope may say.

Published by: John Walker
Charlotte 06/05/2009 06:08 AM EST

The Vatican II Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity states that "No project, however, may claim the name "Catholic" unless it has obtained the consent of the lawful Church authority" (no. 24). What authority gave approval to "Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good?"

Published by: Colin
Cambridge/MA/USA 06/04/2009 11:32 PM EST

This is a profoundly uninformed and distorted perspective on Alexia Kelly. Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good is an organization which strives in a meaningful way for common ground solutions--so that progress can be made in resolving the contentious issue of abortion. The fact that she has foes on the far right and the far left--as evinced by this blog entry--is a testament to her genuine middle-ground approach.
Ms. Kelly is interested in good faith efforts to reduce the need for abortions through enhanced pregnancy support and better faith based initiatives to support nascent families. Surely no one is opposed to such measures.

It's time we move past the dualisms of the Roe v. Wade debate and find some common ground. This appointment is a step in that direction.

Published by: Fred
Chicago, IL, USA 06/04/2009 10:44 PM EST

Larry M. Horton: "Again...where is the Pope..the Cardinals...the Bishops..the priests..heck...any Catholic Church leader?"

And where in the H*LL has Larry M. Norton been??? What have you ever done that's worth anything for God or the Church?

Your attacks are evil in origin and in effect.

Repent, and do not commit this sin od detraction anymore.

Published by: mary
oregon, il. 06/04/2009 10:33 PM EST

Larry, I couldn't agree with you more.
Do you think that faithful roman catholics will have to go undergotnd?? I can't believe that this is all happening so fast.

Published by: Lynn
Carbondale, IL 06/04/2009 09:42 PM EST

These self-absorbed "Catholics" do not care about Truth in their "service" to build the Kingdom.
Whose Kingdom are they building, anyway?? Certainly not God's.

Published by: living love
NJ 06/04/2009 07:23 PM EST

pro-abortion and catholic should not be used to describe one person

Published by: Dan Kennedy
Seattle/Washington/USA 06/04/2009 05:43 PM EST

Gee, what a surprise.

Enough of the hierarchy has spoken out, so there can be no doubt about the Church's teaching.

Using a inauthentic and distorted "Catholicism" to further one's political ambitions speaks volumes about one's priorities.

Published by: Jerry
Michigan 06/04/2009 05:00 PM EST

Rate: Regular

It shows bias an injustice in our church when we hypocritically attack one politician for having anti-Catholic views while supporting one (George W. Bush) whose policies and views were increasingly,anti-Catholic. We are Pro-Life, I am atleast. We are not just anti-abortion and euthanasia, but we are supposed to be opposed to the death penalty, unjust war, torture and poverty all of which the republicans support or do very little to stop. God Bless you. Abortion isn't a partisan issue. I am pro-life in all forms not just two.

Published by: Larry H Morton
Fort Worth, Texas 06/04/2009 04:09 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

Again...where is the Pope..the Cardinals...the Bishops..the priests..heck...any Catholic Church leader?

Since when did supporting, or defaulting to others who support the KILLING of INNOCENT BABIES not rise to the level of EXCOMMUNICATION????

If that is not reason enough for Church leaders to take a drastic stance...I am simply floored.

CNA keeps reporting on these so-called "Catholics" who are shirking their Christian duty to protect all innocent life...but these people seem to get a pass by the Church.

Does anyone have a backbone in the Catholic Church?

Christians in the trenches are fighting this fight seemingly without much support from the top.

Dear God..I for one (a life long Catholic) am fed up. There is such evil within our ranks.

Larry

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