Chicago, Ill., Mar 10, 2004 / 22:00 pm
A Chicago man is circulating a petition asking Cardinal Francis George to excommunicate Mayor Richard Daley for his public show of support for same-sex marriage.
Raymond Wardingley, reportedly a perennial political candidate and professional clown, made the request to the cardinal in a letter Monday, reported Newsday yesterday.
Wardinley has argued that if the mayor or any other Catholic breaks Church law, they should not be allowed to be in the Church.
A spokesperson said the cardinal met with Daley in private last week but would not comment publicly beyond a statement that same-sex marriage is not possible according to Church teaching.
Diane Dunagan said the Archdiocese of Chicago has received about a dozen calls from other people, asking the cardinal to discipline the mayor.
“The cardinal has made his stand clear, and he comments to politicians in private," she was quoted as saying.