EDITORS' CORNER
UPDATED
OPINION: Catholic Action League says invitation violates bishops’ directive
In a “callous betrayal of the helpless unborn,” the College of the Holy Cross is set to honor the pro-abortion former Republican governor of Massachusetts.
Catholic Action League recently criticized the Jesuit college in Worcester, Mass. for its plans to host Charlie Baker as its 2026 commencement speaker.
Though nominally a Republican, Baker (pictured) often used his eight years in office from 2015 to 2023 to promote pro-abortion and pro-LGBT views at odds with the Catholic Church, such as funding Planned Parenthood. He is now the president of the NCAA.
Executive Director C.J. Doyle said the Jesuit college is violating principles established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops when it comes to hosting speakers.
“Honoring Charlie Baker is a flagrant violation of Catholics In Political Life, a callous betrayal of the helpless unborn and those faithful Catholics who defend them, and an unconcealed expression of contempt for perennial Catholic teaching about the sanctity of innocent human life from conception to natural death,” Doyle said in a news release.
The 2004 document provides instructions to the faithful on their role in public life. It also contains a clear teaching: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
Someone forgot to send a copy to the college.
Doyle highlighted egregious examples of scandal at the school, including a “women’s health panel” that featured an abortionist.
“Past pro-abortion commencement speakers have included U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Biden Administration UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Obama speechwriter Jon Favreau and MSNBC host Chris Matthews,” Doyle noted.
Indeed, the school even hosted former Secretary of State John Kerry. A Catholic in theory, Kerry’s 2004 run for president prompted the “Catholics in Political Life” directive, given the candidate’s support for abortion.
“These institutions were built by and for Catholics,” Doyle said. “A way must be found, somehow, to reclaim them for the Catholic Faith.”
Editor’s note: The name of the college has been corrected.
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