BOSTON, May. 6, 2008 (CWNews.com/LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts has criticized state leaders of the Knights of Columbus for refusing to allow a vote at their annual convention on a measure that would have required suspension of the membership of politicians who support abortion or same-sex marriage.
A resolution proposed at the state K of C convention would have directed the state deputy “to summarily suspend those members of the Knights of Columbus who are public officials, present or former, or candidates for public office, who through their votes, campaign literature, web sites or public statements openly support abortion or homosexual marriage.” Joseph Craven, who introduced the resolution, cited the rules of the K of C, which require suspension or expulsion for members “giving scandal, scandalous conduct or practice unbecoming a member of this Order.”
Two-thirds of K of C members who serve in the Massachusetts legislature recently voted in favor or a proposal to expand “buffer zones” outside abortion clinics, while more than three-quarters voted against a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.
Supreme Advocate Paul Devin, who was attending the Massachusetts convention, ruled the measure “unconstitutional.” The Catholic Action League called the ruling “a disgraceful example of the disconnect between rhetoric and policy when it comes to the Knights of Columbus and Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life and the integrity of marriage.”