Bishop asks Holy Cross not to rent space to teen pregnancy alliance

Published: 2007-10-16

WORCESTER, Mass. (CNS) -- Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester has asked Jesuit Father Michael C. McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross, to revoke the college's agreement to rent space on campus for an Oct. 24 conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. The bishop in an Oct. 10 statement said that the conference "involves workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Both organizations promote positions on artificial contraception and abortion that are contrary to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church." Father McFarland said in a statement also released Oct. 10 that Holy Cross "has determined it will honor its contractual obligations." He said the college "regrets any confusion that, in renting space, the college is supporting the mission of individuals or organizations participating in the conference." He said Holy Cross has no affiliation with the alliance, the college is not taking part in the conference and "no Holy Cross administrators, faculty members or students are involved in developing conference content."

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