Bishop Lori bows out of Catholic university dinner honoring pro-abortion Kennedy

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Bishop William Lori

Bridgeport, Conn., Apr 7, 2009 / 07:04 am (CNA).- Bishop of Bridgeport William Lori has said he will not attend a Sacred Heart University dinner which will honor pro-abortion Catholic Kerry Kennedy, a daughter of Robert F. Kennedy. He also commented on the University of Notre Dame’s invitation to President Barack Obama, saying it was contrary to efforts to resist the president’s “anti-life” policies.

The April 4 edition of the Fairfield County Catholic reported: “Bishop Lori indicated that he will neither support nor attend Sacred Heart University’s Discovery Awards and Scholarship Dinner on April 22 because it will honor Kerry Kennedy, a longtime Catholic pro-choice activist. Bishop Lori is chairman of the Sacred Heart board.”

The Cardinal Newman Society, quoting the Connecticut Post, reported that Kerry Kennedy disagrees with the Catholic position on issues including abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and same-sex “marriage.”

Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, previously honored Bishop Lori at its 2004 Discovery Awards and Scholarship Dinner.

Bishop Lori also commented on the invitation of President Barack Obama to the University of Notre Dame to deliver the commencement speech and to receive an honorary degree.

“Notre Dame extended this invitation unilaterally, seemingly without regard for the consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is contrary to the efforts of bishops, parish priests, and laity to resist the anti-life decisions, policies, and legislation promoted by the Obama administration,” he said in the Fairfield County Catholic.

Patrick Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, commented on Bishop Lori’s actions, saying:

“The nearly quarter million people who have signed the petition opposing Notre Dame’s honoring of an abortion rights supporter will be thankful for Bishop Lori’s public boycott of Sacred Heart University …SHU and all Catholic colleges must learn from the mistakes at Notre Dame, where defiance toward the U.S. bishops’ speakers and honorees policy has provoked outrage from Catholics nationwide.”

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ 2004 statement “Catholics in Political Life” said Catholic institutions should not honor “those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”

Comments: 16

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Lauren
Randolph,NJ,USA 04/16/2009 08:39 PM EST

I salute Bishop Lori for having the courage to stand up for his/our religious beliefs and for human rights. This country was founded on religious freedoms, but there are those who would take them away.Unless brave souls like Bishop Lori take a stand and represent people of faith in the USA our religious freedoms are a thing of the past.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/16/2009 07:40 PM EST

"There are reports that Pres. Obama has been invited by Bishop Dolan to attend his installation in NYC. OMG, what if he shows up? Wouldn't Bishop Dolan have to cancel his appearance at his own installation?"

LOL fat chance Obama would show up as a spectator at a ceremony that was halted at least twice for 45 seconds for rousing applause to pro-life statements by Dolan. He is smarter than Bill Clinton and Gore who had to squirm as the only two in the Cathedral sitting when Cardinal O'Connor's letter was read honoring life at O'Connor's funeral--the standing ovation, minus two weakling and their honies, lasted for a good 7 minutes. Pathetic.

Published by: Pierre Angulaire
Bennington, VT 04/07/2009 04:37 PM EST

Rate: Good

There are reports that Pres. Obama has been invited by Bishop Dolan to attend his installation in NYC. OMG, what if he shows up? Wouldn't Bishop Dolan have to cancel his appearance at his own installation?

Published by: bjcass
mooresville,nc 04/07/2009 04:08 PM EST

Thank you Bishop Lori for simply taking a stand that says we refuse to honor and celebrate those who proclaim their Catholicity and refuse to respect the basic tenets of our Faith.

Published by: Dr. Thomas Lucente
Bedford, Virginia 04/07/2009 02:42 PM EST

Bishop Lori has my gratitude and prayers. I am ashamed of the Bishops of the Catholic World who have'nt the guts to condemn any so called Catholic public figure who so flagrantly supports abortion. No room for compromise here.....what would Jesus do? I cannot think of any greater sin that justifies excommunication.

Published by: Michael Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 04/07/2009 02:24 PM EST

I agree with Dr. Luckey,

Bishop Lori is the "Chairman" of the Board of Sacred Heart.

Can he not do more than just bow out?

Bishop Lori came out much stronger over the anti-Catholic Conneticut legislation (I saw his speech). There must be something we don't know.

Published by: Christina
Pennsylvania 04/07/2009 01:52 PM EST

Regarding 'Catholic' Uiversities who invite pro-abortion 'Catholic' speakers, "Canon Law gives the ordinary, not the university, the right and the DUTY to bestow and remove the name 'Catholic' from any institution or endeavor in his diocese (c. 216)" Lets write our Bishops and remind them of this law. We could start with Bishop John D'Arcy at P.O. Box 390, For Wayne IN 46801 regarding the Notre Dame scandal.

Published by: Anne
NY 04/07/2009 01:13 PM EST

This are the little foreshocks of a coming event. At the risk of sounding morbid, or insensitive; What will the Church do when these pro-abortion politicians, who have caused public scandal to the Catholic Faith, die? WILL THEY BE GIVEN A CHURCH FUNERAL, WITHOUT PUBLICLY CORRECTING THESE ABOMINIBLE POLICIES? WILL THEIR PRO-ABORT FRIENDS LINE UP FOR SACRILIGEOUS HOLY COMMUNIONS? So far, as the Church is enduring Her Golgatha, I only see a few of us standing next to her...

Published by: lizaanne
detroit 04/07/2009 12:22 PM EST

God bless this bishop for doing the right thing!

Published by: Dan Kennedy
Seattle/Washington/USA 04/07/2009 11:31 AM EST

Teaching the truth out of season takes courage, and I applaud the Bishops for their clarity on what is the human rights issue of our time. Clearly, the pretense that one can be a "faithful" Catholic and disagree with the Church on fundamental moral issues is coming to an end--finally.

Dan Kennedy, CEO
Human Life of Washington
14400 Bel-Red Rd Suite 207
Bellevue, WA 98007-3952

An embryo is not some thing but someone. Talk of human rights is but a charade if it is only for the "chosen" of the human family.

Affiliate of National Right to Life
V-425.641.9345 F-425.641.9635
websites:
Human Life of Washington
Center for Life Principles - A Project of Human Life Ed. Foundation
National Right to Life

Published by: Dr. W. Luckey
Front Royal, VA 04/07/2009 11:17 AM EST

I am proud of Bishop Lori's stand--but, he is on the Board of Sacred Heart--can't he exercise some clout to stop this?

Published by: Carmen
Wichita, KS USA 04/07/2009 11:11 AM EST

I agree with Bishop Lori. Kerri Kennedy must understand that she is not following her Catholic faith,and maybe a RICA class might in order.

Published by: Susan
Meherrin, VA 04/07/2009 10:14 AM EST

It's as if the Catholic Church is a "club". Do these people who support sin (abortion, sam-sex marriages, et al)ever THINK about God? About what God wants from them? Do they have a clue that God runs this world, and they will be held responsible for what they do on this earth? Have they been duped into thinking that "if it makes you happy, it must be ok"? I have so many thoughts on this. I guess we can trace these attitudes to the newly-taught school values: narcissism, entitlement, instant gratification, trust no one. I keep praying for those who have not come to know the love of God. . . .

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 04/07/2009 08:57 AM EST

Your Excellency, Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Connecticut, thank you for stand up with the Church and Her quarter million faithful Catholics who signed the petition. You are among a small percent of brave bishops in America. You are a true shepherd and may our God, the most mercicul Lord be always with you and with all the good priests and bishops. I salute you and I promise that I will pray for you.

Published by: John
Ireland 04/07/2009 08:05 AM EST

If you support abortion you are NOT a Catholic. So those "Catholics" who support abortion should not be labelled Catholic.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/07/2009 07:29 AM EST

Catholic colleges are lining up to celebrate the culture of death speakers. Do we need more evidence Jesus is at the gate?

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