NY Bishop pulls sponsorship of Sen. Clinton event

Buffalo, N.Y., Jan 31, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Bishop Edward Kmiec of Buffalo pulled his support of a public speech U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton gave at the Jesuit-run Canisius College yesterday.

The bishop made the announcement in a statement over the weekend, clearly indicating that the diocese was “not associated with the planning or promotion of the lecture of Senator Hillary Clinton at Canisius College” and that it had been arranged “under the auspices of Canisius College without previous consultation.”

Although Catholic Charities was also listed as a sponsor of the lecture series, it, too, withdrew its sponsorship after learning that the Democratic New York senator would be one of the presenters.

Bishop Kmiec explained that he subscribes to the USCCB document "Catholics in Political Life," which states that “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principals with awards, honors or platforms.”

The document also states that the bishops are “committed to maintaining communications with public officials who make decisions everyday that touch issues of human life and dignity.”

“It is for that reason, despite calls for the cancellation of the event, that it was thought best to allow it to proceed, though reluctantly, in order to maintain channels of communciation with Senator Clinton and others who hold her views,” the bishop said in his statement.

The event proceeded as planned. Clinton, 57, delivered a speech on health care at the college in the afternoon, though she wasn’t in finest form. During an earlier speech yesterday at a luncheon at the Saturn Club in Buffalo, Clinton fainted citing a 24-hour virus. After immediate medial attention, the former first lady resumed her public schedule.