Md. Cardinal to Boycott Giuliani Speech (AP)

[stumbler]

Thursday May 19, 2005 4:16 AM

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.

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Full article

 

[4HisChurch]

Good for Cardinal Keeler! I’m glad you posted this article. The interesting thing about Keeler is that he is seen by some conservatives as too liberal and by some liberals as too conservative, at least in my experience. Must mean he is doing something right.

 

[Sola]

I believe many Americans will always hold Rudy Guliani in a special place in our hearts because of his role and calming presence during the September 11th events, so I can understand why this school would want him to speak. Also, just as mayor of NYC he has done some remarkable and at times controversial things (like banishing panhandlers).

However, I respect and applaud Cardinal Keener’s decision. I am glad to hear about Catholic clergy who take the time to think about their actions and appearances they make and who they support. And it’s true that as a Catholic, if Guliani supports abortion he is wrong.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Boycotting seems to be a minimum first step. I am waiting for bishops to ban these faux-Catholic institutions from being referred to as Catholic in diocesan publications.