The Archdiocese of Washington issued a statement calling Georgetown University’s invitation to President Obama's Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to speak at the Jesuit university on commencement day “unfortunate.”

Led by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerle, the archdiocese's statement declared that the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) had revealed an “apparent lack of unity with and disregard for the bishops.”

The statement follows: 

During the past week there has been much in the national and local news regarding the controversial selection of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to be a featured speaker at an awards ceremony at Georgetown University’s Public Policy Institute.  Yesterday, the President of the University, John J. DeGioia, issued a public statement in response to the concerns, objections and even outrage that have been expressed.

The Archdiocese of Washington reserved public comment to permit Georgetown University and its sponsor, the Society of Jesus, the opportunity to address the controversy.  While the explanation of how this unfortunate decision was made is appreciated, it does not address the real issue for concern – the selection of a featured speaker whose actions as a public official present the most direct challenge to religious liberty in recent history and the apparent lack of unity with and disregard for the bishops and so many others across the nation who are committed to the defense of freedom of religion.

Full Story: A 'schism' among Catholics over Sebelius' address at Georgetown University

Source: Spero News