San Antonio archbishop unhappy with Clinton rally at Catholic college

Published: 2008-02-13

SAN ANTONIO (CNS) -- San Antonio Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said he was "neither advised nor consulted" by St. Mary's University officials when the school agreed to host a Feb. 13 evening rally for Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton sponsored by the group "Texas for Hillary." "I was surprised to learn of Sen. Hillary Clinton's appearance at St. Mary's University," the archbishop said in a Feb. 12 statement. "Catholic institutions are obliged to teach and promote Catholic values in all instances. This is especially important when people look to our Catholic universities and colleges to provide leadership and clarity to the often complicated and conflicting political discourse," he added. The archbishop said the records of the New York senator and some other presidential candidates "on important life issues are not consistent with the teaching of the Catholic Church." St. Mary's University, which is operated by the Marianists, released a statement saying it "does not endorse political candidates or their positions on issues and acknowledges the fundamental differences between those of the presidential candidates and the Catholic Church."

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