Boston, Mass., Jul 26, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In a break from tradition, the Democratic Party did not invite the archbishop of Boston to offer a blessing at the Democratic National Convention this week, reported the Boston Globe.
Instead, the party invited Fr. John B. Ardis, director of the Paulist Center, where the senator and his wife often worship. The Paulist priest has taken Senator John F. Kerry's side in the debate over whether pro-abortion politicians should receive Communion.
The party admitted that it did not invite Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley of Boston. The bishop’s spokesman, Fr. Christopher J. Coyne, said Archbishop O'Malley had planned to be out of town this week, reported the Globe.
This week, Kerry will likely to become the first Catholic major-party nominee since John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Democrats opened their 44th national convention yesterday. It will feature former President Bill Clinton as a major speaker.