Cardinal says education on abortion more effective than sanctions

Published: 2004-05-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said he believes the church's efforts to educate people about the reality and immorality of abortion are more effective than imposing sanctions on politicians who support legal abortion. The cardinal spoke to Catholic News Service at the Vatican May 11, less than a week after he had a private meeting with Massachusetts Sen. John F. Kerry and his wife. Cardinal Mahony said the May 5 meeting with the presumptive Democratic nominee for president "was very cordial, very friendly," but private. The cardinal said Kerry and his wife had arranged to visit the new Los Angeles cathedral during a Cinco de Mayo campaign stop in Los Angeles and had asked if the cardinal would be available for a meeting. Like Cardinal Mahony, Kerry declined to tell journalists what they discussed.

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