Cardinal Sean O’Malley Boycotts Boston College Graduation Over Abortion Stance of Commencement Speaker Enda Kenny
Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley said Friday that he won’t attend Boston College’s graduation because the Jesuit school’s commencement speaker, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, supports legislation to permit abortion.
The bill allows abortion if a doctor authorizes it to save a women’s life. Opponents say the bill would lead to widespread abortion by also allowing it if a woman threatens suicide.
In a statement Friday, O’Malley said abortion is “a crime against humanity” and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked Catholic institutions not to honor officials who promote it. Kenny is set to receive an honorary degree from BC at the May 20 commencement.
O’Malley said that since Boston College hasn’t withdrawn its invitation, and Kenny hasn’t declined it, “I shall not attend the graduation.”
“It is my ardent hope that Boston College will work to redress the confusion, disappointment and harm caused by not adhering to the bishops’ directives,” he said.