According to an archdiocesan spokesperson:
"The tradition of the Smith dinner is to bring people together, Zwilling said in a statement. Given that issues in this years campaign could provoke divisiveness and disagreement and could detract from that spirit, it was felt best to proceed in a different direction while maintaining all of the ideals and values of the dinner."
IOW - Don't want to alienate anyone. How perfectly PC.
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list