Baltimore, Md., Nov 14, 2017 / 08:27 am
In a move seen as an endorsement of St. John Paul II's "culture of life" approach, the U.S. bishops on Tuesday elected Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas as chairman of the conference's committee on pro-life activities.
The bishops also elected a conference secretary and the chairs of five additional committees Nov. 14 during their plenary assembly in Baltimore, Md. Board members for Catholic Relief Services were elected as well.
Archbishop Naumann won the pro-life committee with 96 votes, or 54 percent. The other candidate, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, garnered 82 votes, or 46 percent. The committee has customarily been overseen by a cardinal.
Archbishop Naumann who was already a member of the pro-life committee, has challenged pro-choice Catholic politicians, spearheaded efforts to restrict abortion in Kansas, and prioritized abortion in his teaching ministry.