Why Cardinal O'Malley Is Staying Home

Real Clear Religion
May 20, 2013
By Ashley McGuire
Boston College's seniors graduate today without the traditional blessing of their Archbishop, Cardinal Sean O'Malley.
That's because the college chose scandal over solidarity by inviting a politician who flouts Catholic Church teaching to be its commencement speaker.
The college invited Enda Kenny, the Prime Minister of Ireland, to speak to graduates. Mr. Kenny is currently pushing an abortion law in Ireland, one of the few fully pro-life countries left in the world. And he is the same man who had his foreign minister close down Ireland's embassy to the Holy See and tried to pass laws that would jail priests who do not violate the seal of confession, a sacred space considered inviolate by the Church. He has consistently trashed the Catholic Church and will no doubt use the platform Boston College has literally constructed for him to continue to do so.
This leaves Cardinal O'Malley with no choice but to stay home.
His critics will accuse him of close-mindedness and argue that the halls of the academy are meant for discussion and conversation about the issues of our day. But a graduation ceremony is not a conversation. It is an honor bestowed on the speaker and a prime opportunity to unilaterally exhort one's ideals on the rising generation.
