United States: Archbishop O’Malley refuses to dine next to the Mayor of Boston

Mgr. Sean O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston has refused to take part in the traditional Christmas dinner of Catholic charity support on December 9. The archbishop wanted to publicly manifest his disagreement with Thomas M. Menino, the mayor of Boston in favor of abortion and gay marriage and elected guest of honor by Catholic charity organizations.

 According to the daily Boston Globe, the archbishop of Boston belongs to the tradition of American Catholic bishops who do not recognize as members of the Catholic Church, politicians in favor of abortion.

The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, and pro-life groups had launched an appeal to Catholics to oppose the public recognition of Catholic politicians who had thrown off the commandments of God, by not participating at this charity dinner.

 However, Mgr. O’Malley, in a letter sent to around 300 parishes in the archdiocese of Boston, asked all Catholics to join the movement to eradicate prejudice against homosexuals. This letter was published before the Vatican document which judged homosexuals unsuitable for the priesthood.