Northern Kentucky Catholic Bishop Tells Priests Not To Associate With Antiabortion Group; Bars Group From Diocese Churches

The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Covington, Ky., last week wrote a letter to priests saying they should have "no involvement" with the antiabortion group Right to Life of Northern Kentucky, and "[n]o one is saying exactly what caused the split," the AP/Lexington Herald-Leader reports. In addition, the antiabortion group has been barred from the diocese churches, according to the AP/Herald-Leader. NKRTL -- which "has been known" for criticizing political candidates who do not share its views on emergency contraception, abortion and stem cell research -- recently distributed its literature along with other antiabortion groups at the diocese's annual "Pro-Life Mass," held at the St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, the AP/Herald-Leader reports. "There are many good people involved in NKRTL who are being misled," Bishop Roger Foys wrote to the priests of the diocese, adding, "We cannot give any semblance that the diocese approves of the tactics of some of the leadership of NKRTL." Diocese spokesperson Tim Fitzgerald declined a request for an interview with Foys but said the diocese has concerns about "inaccuracies" in NKRTL's newsletters and "tactics" the group used. NKRTL Vice President Fred Summe said Foys had not spoken to the group about issues the diocese has with the group, adding, "You'd think the diocese would encourage us. They need to be specific in what they think we're doing wrong" (Barrouquere, AP/Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/26).

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