.- A Catholic priest has asked one of his parishioners to stop leading the church choir because her pro-abortion position as a Massachusetts state representative is counter to the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Fr. William Cleary, the new pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Andover, told The Eagle-Tribune that since Barbara L’Italien rejects the Church's teaching on life issues, she cannot "be standing up at the pulpit singing or directing singing."
L'Italien, a lifelong member of the parish, says Fr. Cleary made the request after she was re-elected two weeks ago.
L'Italien told the newspaper that she refused the priest’s request and will not consider it unless she receives it in writing.
