Md. cardinal to boycott Giuliani speech (Life issue)

AP ^ | 5-18-05

[Dan from Michigan]

Md. cardinal to boycott Giuliani speech
5/18/2005, 11:11 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — Cardinal William Keeler will not attend a Jesuit university commencement because keynote speaker Rudolph Giuliani, a Catholic, supports abortion rights, an official said Wednesday.

Giuliani, the Republican former New York City mayor mentioned as a possible candidate for president in 2008, is expected to award some 1,600 degrees and certificates at Friday's commencement at Loyola College of Maryland.

He also is to receive an honorary degree.

Friday's graduating class entered the school one week before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, said Loyola spokesman Mark Kelly.

"The attacks had a huge effect on this class, many of whom are from New York," Kelly said late Wednesday. "The college selected Mayor Giuliani because of his courage and leadership after the attacks."

Kelly added Loyola does not agree with every position held by every speaker.

Keeler could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. His spokesman did not elaborate on the decision, but confirmed it was because of Giuliani's abortion stance.

The Cardinal Newman Society is planning protests, the group said in a statement.

The society is protesting speakers and honorees at 18 Catholic college and universities, saying the invitations violate the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops statement last year asserting "Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles."

Earlier this week, New York Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, also a Catholic, canceled his speech to graduates of St. Elizabeth's College of Nursing after learning a bishop opposed his appearance. Boehlert said he did not want to draw attention from the graduation ceremony.

A spokeswoman for Giuliani did not immediately return phone calls.

[Calpernia]

Bump!

[Calpernia]

bump

[Romish_Papist]

In regards to #111, three words:

Hammer, nail, head.

[redgolum]

I am glad that for once there seems to be some bishops taking a stand.

[icwhatudo]

Nice to see-hopefully "Catholic" (D)Sen Mikulski will finally be dealt with as well.

[redgolum]

[Insert Act of Contrition and penance which is also no one's bidness] Fr. Ninenot can add: No Buddy Holly music for the Elk for thirty days after being nice to sinkspur.

That is a littly harsh isn't it? Of course it could have been Bach instead of Holly, but still..

[redgolum]

But, if you want penance, then you'll have to listen to the entire Ring Cycle, once-through continuously, WITHOUT eating or sleeping until it's over.

You sir, have an admirably sick sense of humor!

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

Wasn't Marymount stripped of its right to be listed in a Catholic College directory over its having Hitlery as a speaker? I wonder if Loyola will be treated the same when this goes down?

[Alberta's Child]

The term "Catholic Europe" is an oxymoron, for a number of reasons including the one you mentioned. The Catholic Church has had little or no influence in Europe for decades, and in France the church is nothing more than an arm of the secular government (all church property is owned by the state).

[George from New England]

"Boycotting ... about abortion seems excessive."

It's a Catholic school or supposed to be. Why can't faith issues dictate curriculum and conform with Church teaching?

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Flashback: April 6, 2005:"What a farce. Their bishops should forbid them to appear on television to misrepresent Catholic teaching. Good grief, folks, WHERE ARE Cardinal Keeler and Cardinal McCarrick when their own flock are promoting the slaughter of the unborn on television??? Inquiring minds want to know."

87 posted on 04/06/2005 2:23:20 PM EDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1378398/posts?page=87#87

[Alberta's Child]

Ping.

[ninenot]

Thank you. Years and years of practice on the fine art of subtle tortures....just ask my children.

[staytrue]

I'm sure if he was Ted Kennedy you'd be singing a different tune.

Not really. I respected Wellstone and Moynihan even though I thought they were totally wrong on the issues. I have no respect for Chappiquidick Ted.

[ninenot]

In point of fact, NYC's Marymount-Manhattan had been "de-listed" a long time ago but crawled back into the listings, perhaps by accident.

Nobody paid any attention until the recent brou-ha-ha--

But Marymount-Manhattan had "declared its independence" and really could care less what the Archdiocese of New York says or does.

Besides which, (if you haven't figured this out already) Cdl. Egan is regarded by those who know him as a superb politician--thus to the larger point: the election of B-16 is causing a great deal of sycophancy-reaction from certain Bishops and Cardinals who could have cared LESS until B-16 was elected.

Short version: hypocrites.

[MacArthur]

Excellent summary. Regards,

[BlackElk]

I will give up Back anytime instead of Buddy Holly. Double the length of my penance if Bach.

[old and tired]

Would these churchmen boycott the President of the United States if he spoke at a Catholic University?

If that president were Bill Clinton, I would certainly hope so.

These are supposedly Catholic colleges. They have no business bestowing honorary degrees on people who are pro-abortion - let alone self proclaimed Catholics who are pro-abort.

I personally would be OK with a churchman showing up if this president were to receive an honorary degree because 1)He's much more pro-life than the law of the land and 2)He doesn't call himself Catholic.

[old and tired]

this president=George W. Bush

[sinkspur]

Why didn't Keeler object when he could have actually affected the invitation? I'd imagine it would have been a year or two ago, given the demand for Guiliani.

As it is, he waits until the day before, then splashes a headline when it will look good for him, but will have no effect on the actual graduation ceremony or Guiliani's appearance there.

Is the objective to dissuade colleges from inviting pro-choice speakers, or to allow the local bishop grandstand?