Boston Archbishop cancels attendance at Catholic Charities dinner honoring pro-abortion mayor

Boston, Mass., Nov 22, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Archdiocese of Boston has confirmed that Archbishop Sean O’Malley will not attend a Christmas dinner hosted by the local Catholic Charities organization, at which the group will honor pro-abortion Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

A spokesperson for the Archdiocese confirmed the news with CNA this morning, and an article is slated to appear in the Archdiocese’s Pilot newspaper later today.

In a statement dated November 22nd, Catholic Charities announced that “In light of the mayor’s past statements concerning abortion and same-sex marriage policies, the archbishop regrets that he cannot attend the dinner.”

“In doing this”, they added, “he acts in accord with the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ policy regarding public officials who are in conflict with Catholic teaching on specific issues, a policy formulated at plenary session of the Bishops’ conference in June of 2004.”

Catholic Charities also said that after they had announced plans “to recognize the mayor at the dinner, objections were raised because of statements the mayor has made concerning abortion and same-sex marriage.”

“Catholic Charities”, they said, “firmly supports Catholic teaching concerning these matters. We differ with the mayor on both of these issues, even as we recognize his contributions to those we seek to serve each day in our city.”

Some Catholic activists groups, including ‘Faithful Voice‘, established in response to vocally dissident ‘Voice of the Faithful’ group, have vowed to boycott the dinner. Reportedly, they have taken a number of notable donors to the charity group with them.

Mayor Menino, a Catholic himself, is scheduled to be honored during the December 9th dinner for his “consistent support of Catholic Charities in Boston.”