Massachusetts bishop asked not to attend commencement at Catholic college
May 08, 2012
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Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester, Massachusetts, has agreed not to attend commencement exercises at a local Catholic college, after he roused controversy by opposing the school’s choice of a commencement speaker.
Administrators of little Anna Maria College had rescinded their invitation to Victoria Kennedy, widow of Sen. Ted Kennedy, after the bishop voiced his objections. But the decision created a heated controversy, and the school’s president and chairman told Bishop McManus that his presence at commencement exercises would be “distracting from the significance of the ceremony for the students.” The bishop agreed not to attend.
Anna Maria College did not engage another outside speaker to replaced Victoria Kennedy as commencement speaker. Two graduating students will speak at the exercises.
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Further information:
- Bishop to skip AMC ceremony (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
- College Disinvites Bishop: You Would Be “a Distraction” at Graduation Ceremonies (Cardinal Newman Society)
- Bishop not swayed by petition, maintains ban on campus speech by Kennedy widow (CWN, 4/27)
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Posted by: kcc -
May. 09, 2012 4:12 PM ET USA
Likely the "sore losers" were planning to use commencement as an opportunity to cause the distraction. Meanwhile other students will be deprived of having Bishop McManus speak to them and that is the biggest tragedy in all of this.
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Posted by: unum -
May. 09, 2012 9:10 AM ET USA
Look for AMC to become just another private school in the (whatever) tradition. "Tradition" seems to be replacing truth at private colleges.
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Posted by: chasann113163 -
May. 09, 2012 8:22 AM ET USA
Another Catholic Collage in Name only. I want to know where are the parents of these students, we send our children to Catholic school & collages to get a Catholic education based on our faith. Why are they not speaking out . God Bless this Bishop for his courage.
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Posted by: aclune9083 -
May. 08, 2012 10:16 PM ET USA
The good Bishop has much more to do than face further abuse from the faculty and staff of AMC; the loss is theirs. In addition to having rejected the true teachings of the faith Jesus Christ founded, in regards to not giving witness to gravely sinful behavior, the leadership of AMC has lost contact with the virtues of charity, discipline and obedience levied in the 4th commandment, which the Church understands requires respect for truth and lawful authority. Pray for them all.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
May. 08, 2012 5:38 PM ET USA
How could anyone ask a Bishop not to come to graduation at a Catholic College - especially after he stood up for Catholic teaching on life as we received it from our Lord.
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
May. 08, 2012 4:52 PM ET USA
Bunch of sore losers, but losers all the same. Thank God Bishop McManus fought this fight.
