New archbishop; business as usual?

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jul 28, 2003

The great hope for Boston Catholics is that Archbishop O'Malley will provide them with something radically different from the "business as usual" approach-- the results of which we have been reading in the headlines since the turn of the century.

So it's not terribly encouraging to learn that the archbishop's installation will be an invitation-only affair, and the invitation lists includes the likes of Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry-- along with myriad other prominent figures who support unrestricted abortion, homosexual "marriage," euthanasia, stem-cell research, and many other policies incompatible with Catholic teaching.

Around Boston, commentators are saying that Archbishop O'Malley could make a big impact by announcing the sale of the luxurious archbishop's residence. True. But he might have made an even bigger impact by arranging his installation ceremony for the benefit of loyal practicing Catholics rather than prominent local personalities.