McGreevey accepts archbishop's wishes
Thursday, May 06, 2004
BY JEFF WHELAN AND JEFF DIAMANT
Star-Ledger Staff
Gov. James E. McGreevey, continuing to clash with Roman Catholic Church leaders over his support for abortion rights, said yesterday he would comply with the wishes of Newark Archbishop John J. Myers and not seek Communion at public Masses.
Myers yesterday issued a five-page pastoral statement that said it was "objectively dishonest" for Catholics who support abortion rights to seek Communion. While not naming McGreevey, Myers wrote, "On this grave issue, public officials cannot hold themselves excused from their duties, especially if they claim to be Catholic."
Responding to reporters' questions in Trenton, McGreevey called Myers' statement "unfortunate" but acquiesced: "The archbishop of Newark is clearly the leader of the Catholic community throughout the archdiocese. I will respect the archbishop's request."
McGreevey said that meant he would not seek Communion in a "public forum." He appeared to be responding to Myers' assertion that "the church cannot force" supporters of abortion rights to change their position, "but she can and does ask them honestly to admit in the public forum that they are not in full union with the church."
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