Three Cheers for Summit Country Day!

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has deep roots here in the Cincinnati area. She was raised here, graduating from Summit Country Day preparatory school. Her father, whose family has been prominent in Cincinnati church, business, and political life, is former Ohio Governor John Gilligan.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported today that Summit Country Day, which had previously asked Sebelius, sometimes mentioned as a potential vice presidential nominee for a future Democratic ticket, to speak at the school has now "disinvited" her.

The school is an independent Catholic institution. While not under diocesan control, the head of the school contacted Cincinnati's archbishop for guidance after the school had been asked by a pro-life group not to have Sebelius come here, owing to her pro-choice stance on abortion. The archbishop said that Sebelius would not be a speaker at any diocesan institution.

There are some who no doubt will look at this askance. But as the pastor of a Lutheran congregation, I can tell you that I would never invite some advocate of religious legalism, or a fomenter of hate--just to use two examples--to speak at our church. It's absolutely appropriate for a school, a church, or any other organization to withhold or withdraw invitations from speakers whose views are diametrically opposed to their own.

Taking a stand in these PC-times can upset folks. But, as is said, if you can't take a stand for something, you'll fall for anything. Three cheers for Summit Country Day!