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Editorial: Standing up to his church

Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) cast a vote this week that showed courage in an arena where religion sometimes clashes with public policy.

Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.) cast a vote this week that showed courage in an arena where religion sometimes clashes with public policy.

Casey, who is Catholic and pro-life, voted to confirm Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Pro-life groups opposed the nomination of Sebelius, who as governor of Kansas vetoed legislation that would have restricted abortion providers.

Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino had warned Casey, a member of the diocese, not to vote for Sebelius. After the vote, Martino, formerly the auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia, said Casey might not be "worthy" to receive Holy Communion.

"Bishop Martino believes it is incumbent upon Sen. Casey to reflect on his actions and ask himself if he should receive the sacrament," the diocese said in a statement.

Although Casey said he disagrees with Sebelius in some areas, he defended his support of her nomination. He said it would be irresponsible not to install Sebelius in her job in the midst of the swine-flu public-health crisis, and pointed out that she would have a "limited role" in defining abortion policy in Washington.

Casey also said he looks forward to working with President Obama "to reduce the number of abortions through measures like my Pregnant Women Support Act legislation," which provides assistance to women who want to continue their pregnancies.

Martino has criticized Casey in the past for positions the bishop believed conflicted with the church's pro-life teachings. He also barred Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden, who is pro-choice, from receiving Communion in the diocese last fall.

A church has every right to voice its displeasure and exert pressure on issues of public policy. Organized religion shouldn't forgo its right to speak out. Churches can lobby the government just as any other group.

But, threatening to withhold the sacrament from a parishioner over a matter of public policy comes close to saying that one church's tenets should have priority in law over all others'. This country was founded on the principles that all religions are welcome and that none should take precedent in civil law.

As a senator, Casey represents Catholics as well as non-Catholics. He should consider his faith when making decisions, but a public official's faith shouldn't be the only consideration. His reasoning on Sebelius shows Casey understands that balance.

In recent years, church officials have been stepping up the pressure on Catholic political figures. In 2003, the Vatican declared that Catholic officeholders have a "grave and clear obligation" to oppose abortion, euthanasia, or human-embryo research.

In 2004, the bishop of Trenton criticized New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who supported abortion rights, domestic partnerships, and stem-cell research.

Also in 2004, a Vatican official said leaders who support abortion rights are not fit to receive the Eucharist, widely seen as a warning to Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Casey, in this case, was willing to go against the wishes of his church. He rightly made a very difficult decision that he felt was in the best interest of all.