Posted on 02/23/2007 7:53:03 AM PST by Incorrigible
By RENEE K. GADOUA
Thursday February 22, 2007
SYRACUSE, N.Y. _ The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse has canceled a book talk by Terry McAuliffe because he publicly supports abortion rights.
McAuliffe, chairman of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign and author of a New York Times best-selling memoir, was to speak on Saturday to about 100 alumni of Bishop Ludden High School, his Catholic alma mater in Syracuse, about ``What a Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators and Other Wild Animals.''
But his public support of abortion rights violates diocesan policy, said Danielle Cummings, assistant chancellor and diocesan spokeswoman. She cited McAuliffe's statement, ``I am pro-choice, no question about it,'' on the Jan. 29 broadcast of the Hugh Hewitt national radio show.
``Any person who publicly supports abortion, or who holds that abortion is a right or a matter of choice, may not be invited to speak at diocesan functions or in its diocesan/parish facilities (except at an academic symposium where both sides of the issue can be fairly presented),'' states the policy announced in November 2003.
Syracuse Bishop James Moynihan and Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Costello issued a letter outlining the policy as Sen. John F. Kerry's presidential bid raised questions about the role of Roman Catholic politicians who disagree with official church policy on issues such as abortion, stem cell research, contraception and same-sex marriage.
When Moynihan approved Saturday's event at Bishop Ludden Jan. 21, the diocese was unaware of public statements by McAuliffe on abortion, Cummings said.
During the radio interview, Hewitt asked McAuliffe how he justifies his Catholic belief and support for abortion rights.
``I can, as can many Catholics,'' McAuliffe responded.
According to a Le Moyne/Zogby Contemporary Catholic Trends poll released in November, 48 percent of American Catholics agree that all abortions should be illegal, while 50 percent of those polled disagree.
``While my views on this issue have been public and consistent for many years, they have not prevented me from working and speaking to Catholic organizations in the past,'' McAuliffe said in a statement released by an aide. ``I hope we can keep an open dialogue to find common ground in the future.''
This is not the first time the diocese's policy has affected appearances by public officials.
In November, the Oneida County Right to Life Committee questioned whether it was appropriate for Utica's St. Mary of Mount Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church to host a reception there honoring newly elected Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-N.Y., a Catholic who supports abortion rights. The longtime parishioner of the Utica church was elected to Congress in November.
A protest outside the church was averted when the pastor apologized and said the event was intended as a reception and not an endorsement of Arcuri's views.
In May 2005, the Oneida County Right to Life group criticized a speaking invitation extended to former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., for a commencement ceremony at St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica. Boehlert, who also supports abortion rights, canceled that speaking engagement.
McAuliffe's book was released Jan. 22, when McAuliffe began a six-week tour of 25 cities. The book is No. 31 on this week's New York Times book list.
McAuliffe, a Syracuse native, is former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He is a graduate of Catholic University of America and Georgetown University Law Center. In his book, he mentions meeting Pope John Paul II and talks about attending Catholic schools.
In the radio interview, Hewitt asked him to name his grammar school teachers.
``Sister Agnes Teresa, Sister Mary Helen, Sister Thomas, Miss Boway, Mrs. Anderson, Sister Esther Thomas and Sister Margaret Madden ... how many is that?'' McAuliffe responded.
(Renee K. Gadoua is a staff writer for The Post-Standard of Syracuse, N.Y., and can be contacted at rgadoua(at)syracuse.com.)
Not for commercial use For educational and discussion purposes only.
Jesuit educated here and I still can't understand why some of my fellow classmates are so attracted to the dark side.
What would you do if you saw Terry McAuliffe in line for communion?
:-)
Same reason Catholics and Protestants were ambivilent to the Holocaust.
The subtitle of his book left out rapists.
I'd look for photographers because the only reason a reptile like McAuliffe would set foot in a Catholic church would be for publicity.
Thank goodness. I am supposed to go to Syracuse tomorrow and would just as soon never cross paths with Terrible Terry.
It's not so easy to stand on principles. But if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.
It's about time the Church reminded these people about excommunication and abortion.
Let's see, a private organization doesn't want to give someone with diametrically opposed views a platform to speak. Is there supposed to be some sort of problem with this?
Shouldnt he also be unwelcomed for making a $18000000 Profit On $100000 in Global Crossing?
This was the very subject of our weekly encounter case study in our men's group this morning. That is a very tough call since we are called to approach a brother who's wrongged us privately first, then with other if he rebuffs us and only then publicly.
For the record I think all pro choice Catholics have been approached privately and it is time we call them out publicly. You can be Catholic, you can be pro-choice (unfortunately) but you can NOT be both.
Worng on the death penalty, unless you are say Benedict XVI is not Catholic. See his recent statement re: death Penalty and moral justification.
The death penalty is not contrary to the Cathechesis.
This is exactly my understanding of the church's position on the death penalty as well.
Heavy9 is a mis-informed newbie.
Time for you to brush up on the Catechism. Church teaching allows for both indirect abortion and the death penalty.
Yo Terrald,
There is NO comon ground.
Murder is not negotiable.
In reading this I had the mental picture of that old lady from The Princess Bride who says "Boooo....Booooo" come to mind.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.