CHICAGO, IL – The Board of Directors for the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast announced today that they have rescinded their invitation to Michigan Rep. Bart Stupak to serve as the keynote speaker at the annual event scheduled for April 30 in downtown Chicago.
The unanimous decision by the Board was made as a result of Rep. Stupak’s decision to vote in favor of the pro-abortion health care legislation opposed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Rep. Stupak agreed to vote for the legislation after receiving a promise from President Obama to sign an Executive Order to protect taxpayers from funding abortion. In a note to legislators yesterday morning, the USCCB argued that the Executive Order proposal “does not begin to address the problems” in the legislation.
Michael Sullivan, President of the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast Board of Directors commented: “Until today, the Board of the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast was proud to welcome Rep. Bart Stupak as its keynote speaker because of his authentic witness as a Catholic in the public square. Sadly we can no longer in good conscience honor him at our event.”
“Since this news broke, the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast Board has heard from its supporters and attendees and the message is clear and univocal. The mission of the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast includes ‘giving glory and honor to God as a visible witness to our culture.’ It is with great grief and a profound sense of betrayal that the Board of the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast must in good conscience withdraw our invitation from Rep. Bart Stupak,” continued Sullivan.
The 2010 Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast will proceed as scheduled on the morning of April 30th at the Hyatt Regency. The Board is pursuing a number of alternative keynote speakers for the event. News and registration information is available at www.IllinoisCatholicPrayerBreakfast.com
Check out the inspiring video from the 2008 breakfast.
Answer the call for a New Evangelization in Illinois by praying for the success of the event and help promote the Illinois Catholic Prayer Breakfast.
