If you’ve never heard Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Naumann’s story, let me implore you to read on. Although he never met his father, he had an incredibly positive impact on him. The stories he heard about his father—the way he followed his passions, stuck to his convictions and stood up for what was right—empowered Naumann to do the same.
His father, Fred, served his country in the Army, played professional baseball in St. Louis, and was a devoted husband. Over the years, Fred had expressed wanting to change jobs so he could attend daily mass. Tragically, in December of 1948, Fred’s life was taken by a disgruntled employee at his job.
It was a devastating blow to Naumann’s one-year-old brother and mother who was just three months pregnant with him. It was a turning point for their family, but they kept going, despite the challenges.
After Fred’s passing, the priests at their local parish took a special interest in Naumann and his brother. Coupled with his parents’ dedication to the faith, it was natural for him to consider a vocation to the priesthood. Today, Archbishop Naumann reflects on the influence his dad’s life has had on him saying, “I inherited from my dad a love of country, a passion for baseball, and a deep faith in Jesus.” He continues, “I can honestly attest that I have no father wounds but received many blessings from a heroic and virtuous dad. I look forward to meeting him in Heaven.” Again, a profound testament to the leadership his father unintentionally provided for him and his brother.
The inspiration his father gave him continued to fuel his success. Naumann went on to serve as a deacon, priest, bishop, and archbishop. For many years he served as the Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities, which is when Vitae began to take notice of his fervent dedication to the pro-life issue. Carl Landwehr, Vitae Foundation’s founder, explains the qualities he admired most by saying, “He was a dynamic and enthusiastic leader and was involved in a lot of different pro-life aspects.” With a chuckle, Landwehr adds, “We knew he had a vast network and was such an incredible pastoral man; he had to be on our side.”
Landwehr quickly connected with Archbishop Naumann and so began a longstanding relationship working together in the Pro-Life Movement. Vitae Foundation’s mission to not only help women in unexpected pregnancies but to use research to bring about lasting cultural change resonated deeply with Naumann, as this approach had not been seen yet in the Movement. In the coming years, Archbishop Naumann joined a small committee to help write culture-changing television ads for Vitae Foundation. These ads used cognitive dissonance to persuade people to reconsider their position on abortion, which proved to be a non-confrontational and effective method.
Naumann and Landwehr canvassed the parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis to energize them about using Vitae’s counter-cultural strategies to change hearts and save lives. With a portable TV in tow, the pair showed the ads to local pastors and church and city leaders to inspire local grassroots gatherings to empower confident conversations about abortion in the religious community.
Vitae Foundation continued to use the research to develop ads, eventually expanding the reach and impact to 37 countries. Archbishop Naumann reflects on the growth of the organization saying, “In the late 80’s we dreamed of a pro-life effort that reached beyond our churches. Carl Landwehr was one of those dreamers. Today, Vitae has exceeded beyond what I could imagine it to be.”
The impact of Archbishop Naumann’s leadership and support has impacted this organization greatly. To honor his dedication and trust in us over the years, a few months ago in Kansas City, we announced the launch of the Naumann Giving Society. Just as Naumann inspired and poured into Vitae Foundation, we hope that his enthusiastic dedication can also serve as an inspiration for you.
If you choose to join this exclusive annual giving society, you will find that each level of support comes with its own set of benefits. If you are in the Kansas City area, many of the benefits relate to the annual Kansas City Pro-Life Dinner and a private Giving Society Social. If you are not local to Kansas City, you can join the Naumann Founder’s Circle, which comes with the opportunity to meet Archbishop and be recognized in Vitae’s print and digital publications.
Every day, we witness how the influence of just one person can change the trajectory of the future. Despite Naumann’s father not being part of his life, his influence sustained and propelled the next generation. When Carl Landwehr was searching for a way to bring about cultural change, Naumann’s leadership carried the idea forward. When we work together in the Pro-Life Movement and contribute from the unique talents and life experiences the Lord provides us, we too can build a future where abortion is unthinkable.
By Kelsey Brown
Chief Communications Officer