Texas Archbishop Gomez Objects To Clinton Rally At St. Mary's University

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 15 Feb 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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San Antonio, Texas, Archbishop Jose Gomez Wednesday objected to presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) rally at St. Mary's University, a Roman Catholic university in San Antonio, the AP/CBS News reports.

In a statement released Wednesday before the rally, Gomez said Clinton's support for abortion rights and human embryonic stem cell research is contrary to Catholic values (AP/CBS News, 2/13). "Catholic institutions are obliged to teach and promote Catholic values in all instances," Gomez said, adding, "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" (Levy, San Antonio Express-News, 2/13). Gomez said that he was not trying to tell people which candidate to vote for but noted that Catholic bishops have called on Catholics to not support political candidates "who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles."

The university released a statement saying it does not endorse political candidates and acknowledged differences between some candidates' positions on various issues and the church's teachings (AP/CBS News, 2/13). "There are very few politicians who are pro-life across the board," Larry Hufford, a political scientist at St. Mary's University, said, adding, "If either (Republican presidential candidates) John McCain or Mike Huckabee wanted to speak on campus, they would be welcomed. Maybe the archbishop would speak out about their positions on the war and the death penalty" (San Antonio Express-News, 2/13).

Clinton spokesperson Adrienne Elrod said the Clinton campaign respects Gomez's position and appreciated the opportunity to hold the event at the university (AP/CBS News, 2/13).

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