Once again, ABC News is promoting an outspoken activist within the Mormon Church, Kate Kelly who was excommunicated from the church for actively lobbying for the inclusion of female priests within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
On Monday June 23, ABC’s Mara Schiavocampo played up how "After being tried in absentia by an all-male panel, this afternoon, Kate Kelly got the news she was dreading. The life long Mormon excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Punished for forming the groups “Ordain Women”, which seeks to allow women into the priesthood." [See video below.]
World News anchor Diane Sawyer introduced the segment by promoting Kelly’s activism: “And now the news back in this country tonight, a woman who urged the Mormon Church to give women a bigger role has been excommunicated. She argued that women priests should be included.”
On June 13 [1], Schiavocampo provided a similar story that aired on Good Morning America, in which the reporter stirred up the supposed “controversy inside the Mormon Church’ and the ‘shocking move’ by Church officials to expel Kelly from the Mormon Church.
The ABC reporter continued to play up Kelly’s activism noting how “Since forming the group last year, Kelly has led several protests, saying she founded the group so young Mormon girls wouldn't doubt their worth.” Schiavocampo did include an official statement from the Church over its decision to excommunicate Kelly but surrounded it with more promotion for the activist: “The devout follower tells ABC News tonight she is devastated by the decision and a spokesperson for “Ordain Women” says the group will continue.”
See relevant transcript below.
ABC
ABC World News with Diane Sawyer
June 23, 2014
6:38 p.m. Eastern
DIANE SAWYER: And now the news back in this country tonight, a woman who urged the Mormon Church to give women a bigger role has been excommunicated. She argued that women priests should be included. She was tried and found guilty of apostasies, renunciation of her faith. ABC's Mara Schiavocampo now.
MARA SCHIAVOCAMPO: After being tried in absentia by an all-male panel, this afternoon, Kate Kelly got the news she was dreading. The life long Mormon excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Punished for forming the groups “Ordain Women”, which seeks to allow women into the priesthood. In their letter to Kelly, church officials writing “You have persisted in an aggressive effort to persuade other Church members to your point of view.” Since forming the group last year, Kelly has led several protests, saying she founded the group so young Mormon girls wouldn't doubt their worth.
KATE KELLY: Is it that she's valued less? Is it that God thinks that she isn’t as good or isn’t as useful or doesn’t have the talents?
SCHIAVOCAMPO: Kelly can be readmitted to the church if she meets certain conditions after a year. Still, the devout follower tells ABC News tonight she is devastated by the decision and a spokesperson for “Ordain Women” says the group will continue. Mara Schiavocaompo, ABC News, New York.
— Jeffrey Meyer is a News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Jeffrey Meyer on Twitter. [2]