A group of notable Catholics, including the local bishop, have rallied behind Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who has faced criticism for his openly Catholic commencement speech at Benedictine College on May 11.
Various public figures and commentators have called for Butker’s removal from the team due to his comments on gender, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, and surrogacy, all of which reflect traditional Catholic teachings.
A Change.org petition demanding his dismissal states, “The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker… were unacceptable. His comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist.”
Bishop James Johnston of Kansas City-St. Joseph released a statement affirming Butker’s dedication to his Catholic faith and family. “Harrison Butker’s passion for his Catholic faith and his family are beautiful and well known. And like most people, he also has strong opinions on where we are as a Church and as a nation,” Johnston said.
“The Catholic Church believes that God calls everyone to pursue holiness no matter what path they take,” the bishop continued. “As St. Paul notes, that diversity of callings and vocations is essential to the life and mission of the Church.”
Johnston expressed support for Butker’s right to express his faith and opinions, including those critical of bishops, in reference to Butker’s critique of certain bishops during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
In his speech, Butker commented on the nation’s leadership, stating, “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
Bishop Joseph Strickland, a conservative bishop removed from his post allegedly for criticizing Pope Francis, expressed gratitude toward Butker for “speaking truth” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“As voices are raised against Harrison Butker’s speech at Benedictine College, let us stand strong & resist their attempts to silence the truth,” Strickland wrote. “Harrison spoke in love to the graduates & to our culture.”
Catholic League President Bill Donohue praised Butker’s commencement speech, writing, “His courage and his commitment to Catholicism is laudatory. A heralded Catholic football player defends traditional moral values at a Catholic college — how novel — and within no time he’s being bashed all over the place.”
