Hot Topic: Bishop warns Irish planners in Scranton | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune

"In a letter to the heads of three local Irish-American organizations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton has threatened to close St. Peter’s Cathedral during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations if the groups feature elected officials who support abortion rights at their annual events.
The letter, which was signed by Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty, reports that Bishop Joseph F. Martino is “determined to prevent scandal,” which would be caused if the organizations “in any way” should “honor pro-abortion officials” by giving them parade or dais positions or opportunities to speak and “the Catholic Church is seen to be involved in this honoring.”"

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Scranton Diocese priests read abortion position letter to parishioners | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune

The Scranton Times reports that a letter from the Bishop of Scranton,Joseph Martino, concerning the church's position on abortion, will be read at all the Masses this weekend in the Diocese of Scranton.
"Jesus Christ ... does not ask us to take up his Cross only to have us leave it at the voting booth door,” Bishop Martino says in the two-page pastoral letter, which will also be circulated with all parish bulletins on Saturday and Sunday. In it, he criticizes the laws that protect abortion rights and takes particular aim at political candidates who express support for those rights" The article continues: Scranton Diocese priests read abortion position letter to parishioners | News | thetimes-tribune.com - The Times-Tribune: