BOSTON CARDINAL SEAN O’Malley has said that he will not be attending an event in the city next week because Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be going, who, the cardinal says, is “aggressively promoting abortion legislation”.

The two had been due to attend a Boston College graduation ceremony next week, where the Taoiseach is to address graduates and receive an honorary degree.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley said Catholic bishops in America have asked Catholic institutions – such as Boston College – not to confer honours on politicians who promote abortion with their laws and policies.

“I am sure that the invitation [to Enda Kenny] was made in good faith, long before it came to the attention of the leadership of Boston College that Mr Kenny is aggressively promoting abortion legislation,” Cardinal O’Malley said.

“Since the university has not withdrawn the invitation and because the Taoiseach has not seen fit to decline, I shall not attend the graduation,” he said.

Cardinal O’Malley said it was his ‘ardent hope’ that the college will ‘work to redress the confusion, disappointment and harm caused by not adhering to the Bishops’ directives.’

The Boston archbishop traditionally delivers the final benediction at graduation ceremonies at Boston College every year.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said the issue was a personal matter for the cardinal.

The Taoiseach has repeatedly said that his government will legislate for the X case, which would allow for abortion in cases of risk to the life of the woman.

The Boston Globe reports that Boston College has defended the invite to the Taoiseach and said he was chosen to celebrate the institution’s heritage and relationship with Ireland.

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