QUEEN CREEK, ARIZ. (ChurchMilitant.com) – A pastor in the Grand Canyon State is calling on Arizona’s nominally Catholic governor to repent from her pro-death politics.
Gov. Katie Hobbs
Recently, Fr. Craig Friedley, a priest of the diocese of Phoenix, penned a letter to Gov. Katie Hobbs after she announced the state’s new plan to allow hormonal contraceptives without a prescription.
“This is not only immoral but, it means that you are placing your eternal soul in danger of damnation by your public, proud, and scandalous actions in supporting the murder of children in the womb,” Fr. Friedley admonished. “You should immediately repent and go to confession for advocating for abortion in the public square.”
He continued, “Not only was any medical professional removed from the consultation process, the lives of women who may have pre-existing conditions that could be exacerbated by hormonal treatment are dismissed in the name of promoting abortion.”
The stark remarks follow a press release by Hobbs’ office in which the governor declared, “Reproductive freedom is critical to the individuals and families working hard to create a life for themselves in Arizona.”
The new Arizona order will allow persons 18 years old and up access to birth control at local pharmacies without first being required to visit a doctor.
“We are building an Arizona for everyone, which means ensuring people across the state have what they need to live a free and healthy life,” Hobbs continued. “I will never stop fighting to protect freedoms for Arizonans and standing up to the extremists who threaten access to the basic healthcare our families rely on.”
Father Friedley goes on in his letter to remind Hobbs of her Catholic upbringing and her responsibility to the Faith.
“I am certain that Seton High School did not teach you to promote the evil of abortion. An apology to them seems appropriate. An apology to Catholics who defend the right to life also should receive an apology, along with corrective action,” proclaimed the orthodox priest.
Hobbs’ push for over-the-counter contraception follows a June executive order to protect “reproductive freedom” in the state.
Hobbs asserted, “I will not allow extreme and out of touch politicians to get in the way of the fundamental right Arizonans have to make decisions about their own bodies and futures. I will continue to fight to expand access to safe and legal abortion in any way that I can.”
“The murder of a child in the womb is not health care. Stop spreading this lie and causing a scandal in the Catholic Church,” chastized Friedley. “If you are still attending any Catholic mass, you should refrain from presenting yourself for communion until you repent of spreading lies and advocating for the murder of children in the womb.”
For explanation, Fr. Friedley presented canon 915 to Gov. Hobbs, as her “obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin” disqualifies her from partaking in the Holy Eucharist.
“Finally, I encourage you to, for once in your life, defend the unborn,” pleaded Friedley. “Pray for the courage and strength to stand up for your Catholic faith instead of cowering in fear as to what might happen to your political career if you defend the right to life from conception to natural death.”
Father Friedley ended his letter to the governor, “The SCOTUS reaffirmed the right to life in our US Constitution and corrected an evil that was growing in our country for 50 years (Roe v Wade). All Catholics should strive to get back to what the Catholic Church has taught for 2000 years. That is called a precedent that was set by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. … You are welcome to contact me at my parish.”
In a January interview, Gov. Hobbs dubbed herself a “social justice Catholic” and referred to St. Teresa of Calcutta as one of her role models.
In the same interview, when asked about her view of abortion as a Catholic, Hobbs responded, “I think the issue of access to reproductive health care is an issue of justice. And that it’s so much an issue of women’s autonomy. I’m sure the bishop would disagree with me on this position and perhaps not allow me to receive Communion. But I’m not going to back down because of that.”
To date, none of the Arizona bishops have barred Hobbs from receiving Holy Communion.