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Sebelius speech controversy

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    HHS secretary asked to speak at Georgetown

  • Duration 3:34
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-- Bryant -- the Catholic university in the nation Georgetown is inviting secretary of health and human services Kathleen Sebelius to speak at a graduation ceremony.

Well that decision now sparking controversy because Sebelius is of course pro choice and has been outspoken in her defense of the contraception -- Suggests right now as the president of the Cardinal Newman Society Patrick -- he is leading a petition to have Georgetown on invite -- morning sir.

Good morning or you are fine thank you one of the things are really -- you're gonna as Asian embodies a lot of Catholics is the fact that the administration's.

Health care mandate would say that for instance Georgetown University Catholic charities as well we have to provide.

Contraception even though and flies in the face of Catholic doctrine.

Right exactly you know the big concern with this is the violation of religious freedom.

It's not just contraception.

The next step could be abortion and same sex marriage other issues.

If if the church is what -- -- To determine how it treats its own employees is violated in this case -- -- day and the sky's the limit as to what the federal government could do -- to restrict religious activity.

So you don't want her to speak.

At this particular event at Georgetown and so you know have -- put up a petition you want people to sign this petition.

Absolutely.

-- Georgetown scandal dot com.

We've we led the petition against President Obama.

Speaking at.

University Notre Dame two years ago and had three and -- 67000.

Signatures.

-- Catholics are fed up with this there's actually no reason that -- Catholic institutions should be honoring the -- -- Of this policy that would violate the church's religious freedom and frankly hey this is someone who likes to stick it in the -- of the church.

And there's actually no reason for her to be honored at a Catholic institution.

Now isn't Georgetown the same place where Sandra flock.

Made the comments I was just about a month and a half ago regarding contraception and how as a student at Georgetown she wants states.

Get her free contraception from the school.

That's right and the university.

In defending her against you know some very strong comments from Rush Limbaugh.

Has done nothing really to.

Criticize her position and her approach has been very weak and supporting the bishops on these issues they were very disappointed with Georgetown University.

Over the last few decades this is an institution that has not been very strong and it's Catholic identity and this is just another example of that.

Well here's a statement from Georgetown with regard to asking secretaries abilities to come and be -- speaker.

As an academic community Georgetown regularly hosts a variety of high profile speakers secretary Sebelius was chosen by our GP PI students.

To bring her message of congratulations.

As they Begin their careers in public service and public policy.

This is an opportunity to honor the accomplishments of our students and faculty your response.

Well it's also obviously an opportunity to honor Kathleen severely -- so I think that's a little disingenuous.

You know a few years ago they had cardinal rings they -- Vatican official.

Speak at the institution and faculty walked out on his talk will I don't see any faculty standing up.

Against this particular honor and.

It really shows where Georgetown University has situated itself in terms of Catholic identity that's a good way to put it because as I've learned with father of three kids who have gone through college there a lot of Catholic universities that simply aren't very Catholic.

That's right Patrick Reilly the president of the Cardinal Newman Society thank you for joining us from Washington thank you.

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