President Barack Obama's nomination for surgeon general has drawn positive attention from the Catholic community.

The president of the Catholic League, Bill Donohue, told CBN News that on paper Dr. Regina Benjamin "looks very good."

Donohue said Catholics have high expectations because she has devoted much of her life to helping the poor.

He added that Benjamin has been recognized for her work by the pope and received an award inspired by Mother Teresa.

Still, it is unclear if Benjamin is pro-life or pro-choice.  Donohue says if she supports abortion, that could change everything.

"I do not want anybody who is pro-choice working in government.  No one," Donahue charged.  "I'm a strong pro-life person, but in this position here, she now has a record of saying, 'listen, I'm going to accept awards from bona fide Catholic sources for my work.'"

"The expectation is that she will be good on this-- on the life issue," he added.  "And if she is not, then she will be finished with the Catholic community."

Benjamin is from Alabama and is the first African-American woman to serve on the board of the American Medical Association.

Obama announced her nomination Monday.  She must be approved by the Senate.