On January 26th, The Boston Globe published a long, lead story celebrating the decision of a Connecticut woman to travel to Vermont to take her own life through physician assisted suicide—“medical aid in dying”—which is legal in that state.
The writer of the story was Globe columnist, notorious hate speech perpetrator and multi-decade Catholic basher, Kevin Cullen.
What Cullen did not mention, was that, contrary to the ethics of journalism, (and the laws of God), he was an actual participant in this appalling affront to the Author of Life. Cullen was one of two signatories on the legal affidavit required under Vermont law, affirming that the person intending suicide was of sound mind.
This prompted an unusual public note from the Editor of the Globe rebuking Cullen, stating: “It is a violation of Globe standards for a reporter to insert themselves [sic] into a story they [sic] are covering.” The editor also said it was a decision which “Cullen regrets.”
This is the second time in recent years that Cullen has run afoul of professional ethics and journalistic standards. In 2018, Cullen was given a three month unpaid suspension by the Globe for fabricating anecdotes about the Boston Marathon bombing.
When confronted about his creative fiction, Cullen said he was upset about the bombing and had been drinking.
While one is reluctant to speculate, given his latest recklessness, one might be forgiven for wondering if this is a recurring issue.
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C. Joseph Doyle is the Executive Director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts. Since 2019, Doyle has also served as Director of Communications for the Friends of Saint Benedict Center.
