It’s time for graduation ceremonies. You know what that means: Bring out the caps, gowns, cake, bubbly, and a troupe of scandalously dissenting ersatz Catholic speakers and doctores dishonoris causa at nominally Catholic institutions across the land. This year, according to the Cardinal Newman Society, “at least 20 Catholic colleges and universities … are hosting scandalous speakers and honorees at commencement ceremonies.”
What follows is a statement from the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts taking on this regularly-scheduled seasonal scandal in the Church. Be it noted that Kerry’s appearance at BC is a week to the day after the successfully derailed black mass at Harvard. The connection? It is a contrast. Catholic action thankfully prevented the public desecration of the Holy Mass and Blessed Sacrament at the secular Harvard University. Apparently, the more difficult demons to exorcize are those that dwell in nominally Catholic institutions.
The sleeping giant of American Catholicism woke up a bit last week… and is quickly becoming drowsy again.
The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts is calling upon its members and supporters to urge Cardinal Sean O’Malley to withdraw from Boston College’s 2014 Commencement Exercises. This year’s graduation speaker, who will also receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, is U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, a longstanding supporter of abortion and contraception.
In their 2004 statement, Catholics in Political Life, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops said: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
Kerry’s selection clearly contravenes the bishops’ directive. Few American politicians have compiled records comparable to John Kerry’s extensive and longstanding opposition to Catholic moral teachings. Moreover, no other major American political figure, Catholic or non-Catholic, ever publicly attacked Pope, now Saint John Paul II. In August, 2003, Kerry accused the now canonized Pontiff, then elderly and infirm, of violating the separation of church and state over the issue of so-called same sex marriage.
Last year, Cardinal O’Malley boycotted the commencement, saying Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny — 2013’s speaker and degree recipient — was “aggressively promoting abortion.” Kenny’s position pales in comparison with that of John Kerry.
Please contact Cardinal O’Malley and urge him to repeat his decision of last year and avoid this scandalous betrayal of Catholic principles, and this treacherous abandonment of the innocent unborn! Urge him to withdraw from the Boston College commencement!
You may deliver a message to His Eminence by calling 617-782-2544 or 617-254-0100. You may also e-mail him at [email protected].
Thank you.
