Bishop Trautman says he won't go to Catholic college's graduation

Published: 2008-04-02

ERIE, Pa. (CNS) -- Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman said March 31 he will not attend May graduation ceremonies at Mercyhurst College because of the school's decision to allow Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York to hold a campaign rally on campus April 1. Clinton supports keeping abortion legal. The bishop's statement came the day after the Erie college announced the rally. "I am disappointed in Mercyhurst College for not reflecting the pro-life stance of the Catholic Church regarding abortion," Bishop Trautman said. "As tangible expression of my disappointment, I have notified Dr. Thomas Gamble, president of Mercyhurst College, that I will not be present for Mercyhurst's graduation." Bishop Trautman usually attends the graduation ceremonies for undergraduates, scheduled for May 18 this year. In response Gamble said in a statement that the school community respected the bishop's decision but was "saddened by it" and "will deeply miss his presence at graduation" at the college, run by the Sisters of Mercy. "Our mission counsels us to educate our students in an environment where faith and reason flourish together, and toward that end provide opportunities for our students to be well informed politically and religiously," he said.

Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .