NPR: Erie Catholic Bishop Protests Clinton Appearence

Erie Catholic Bishop Protests Clinton Appearence

Pennsylvania is Catholic country. And Catholics have been among the strongest supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. But earlier this week, Clinton found herself at odds with the Catholic bishop of Erie.

Bishop Donald W. Trautman announced that he has decided to boycott a Catholic college's graduation ceremony because it allowed Clinton, an abortion rights supporter, to speak at the college Tuesday night. The Catholic News Agency reports that "the bishop explained that he is disappointed in the Catholic school [Mercyhurst College] for not reflecting on the Roman Catholic Church's stance on abortion."

The agency also reports that Thomas Gamble, the president of the college, "allowed the April 1 Clinton appearance despite the teaching of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which specifically forbids pro-abortion politicians from such appearances."

A press release from the college stated, "Mercyhurst has a longstanding policy of not supporting or opposing any particular candidate for political office, in part to protect its nonprofit status. However, realizing that political discourse is a valuable educational tool, Mercyhurst has in the past made its campus available to candidates to share their views, when and where possible and upon formal request."

Gamble had invited all the candidates to speech at the college at the request of the student government.

GoErie.com reports that the bishop's cautions didn't seem to affect the students or others in the Erie area. More than 3000 people crowded into the 2500 seat campus auditorium Tuesday night. Clinton's speech focused on health care

8:30 AM ET | 04- 3-2008 | permalink

Comments

Thank God for separation of Church and State. Is Bishop Donald W. Trautman an American or a Taliban wanna-be? He would be willing to suppress dissent or opposing ideas because of his rigid ideology, much like Hitler or any other dictator. Mercyhurst should be thankful he won't be showing up, and it is unfortunate the good bishop doesn't understand the depth of his actions.

Sent by Brian Questel | 11:10 AM ET | 04-03-2008

To Brian,

Separation of Church and State does not divorce one's duty to his country, the common good, and his own happiness, all of which are socio-ethical considerations regardless of religious affiliation.

The fact that name calling and hate mongering exists even among the 'modern enlightened agents of change and tolerance' is disturbing.

You add nothing to this discussion but to slander a man who is standing up for what his core beliefs are as regards to his faith, principles and precepts which have always been.

Expecting him to not want accountability from institutions tied into a common religious tradition is not an extravagant much less rigid/suppressing viewpoint. Taliban? Hitler? I mean come on.

To me this is a classic case of 'a prophet is not welcomed in his own home', but a politician sure is.

Then again we American Catholics are a strange lot indeed.

Cheers.

Sent by platonicform | 12:58 PM ET | 04-03-2008

Well...I guess Obama won't bother trying to speak on such campuses either considering he believes being gay or lesibian is not a choice and supports abortion (pro choice) as well..let's face it, some of these issues make us very uncomfortable (I'm starting to sweat...) and like it or not these topics will become more and more visible as this journey on the campaign trail continues...things are going to heat up very soon so don't stand too close...you just might get scorched!

Sent by ard | 1:11 PM ET | 04-03-2008

Knowing the Catholic base in PA, I don't think that Democrats stand a chance in the general election in November. They will go with the Pro Life Candidate (McCain). This belief is so firmly engrained in their psyches that it IS the issue.

Sent by chris | 1:59 PM ET | 04-03-2008

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