Kansas City, Mo. ? A recent statement from Archbishop James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kan., admonishing Catholic institutions to stop issuing invitations to politicians who support abortion rights has drawn mixed reactions from area Catholics.

In his statement Friday, Keleher asked institutions under his jurisdiction not to invite politicians or others who favor abortion rights to speak or take part in other presentations at their facilities.

Sister Mary Collins, prioress of Mount St. Scholastica, a monastery for about 185 Catholic nuns in Atchison, said Keleher’s statement put her in a difficult position.

“Benedictines are disposed by the rule of Benedict to welcome everyone as guests, the rich and poor, saints and sinners,” Collins said. “So shunning behavior is not something we find congenial.

“But the Benedictine sisters are firmly committed to what Archbishop Keleher calls the Gospel of Life.”

Keleher’s statement was published in the archdiocesan newspaper, The Leaven, on Friday, the day after Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, spoke at the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kan.

Collins said the monastery did not have immediate plans to invite Sebelius to visit, but that she would not “leave her standing on the doorstep.”

“We would welcome the governor of the state because we are disposed to welcome,” Collins said.

The governor did not respond to Keleher’s statement.

“As far as a response, there isn’t one,” said Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran. “This is something that is a personal choice. I believe (Sebelius) is comfortable, and she feels strongly about her views. And it stops there.”

University officials and the archbishop were out of town and not available to comment on the matter Tuesday.

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph doesn’t have a similar policy, and there were no immediate plans to institute one, said Rebecca Summers, diocese spokeswoman.

“When we host candidate forums for the purpose of community education or education about public policy, obviously all candidates are encouraged to attend and to present their views to explain so the people can become better informed,” Summers said.

Sandra Yocum Mize, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, said she didn’t see Dayton, which is a Catholic university, ever adhering to such a policy.

“As a university you bring in people of diverse views so you can understand those different points of view,” Mize said. “It pretty much limits the political debates (without it).”