PHOENIX - Politicians who support abortion and gay rights have been banned from speaking at Roman Catholic churches in the Phoenix Diocese by Bishop Thomas Olmsted.

So far, Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano is the only person affected. She was forbidden to speak at a Scottsdale church so an event was moved to another site.

Olmsted wrote pastors in December, saying churches may not invite to speak any public figure who disagrees with basic church teachings on abortion, gay marriage or other issues, The Arizona Republic reported.

Napolitano, a Methodist, said the ban was broad, not aimed at just her. "I think the church is for praying and that politics are not for inside the church," she said.

Olmsted is among bishops taking a strict interpretation of a June 2004 statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops titled "Catholics in Political Life."

Other bishops have taken a softer approach. Napolitano was allowed to speak at a church in the Tucson Diocese to mark the 15th anniversary of the Pima County Interfaith Council.