LORETTO, Pa., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A Catholic university in Pennsylvania has withdrawn a speaking invitation to columnist Ellen Goodman because she supports abortion rights.
Goodman, who retired last year after more than 40 years as a columnist with The Boston Globe, was to speak on civility, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The lecture was scheduled for Oct. 12 at St. Francis University in Loretto.
"Imagine my disappointment at having my plea for civility returned with a pie in the face," Goodman said in a reply to the university's letter telling her some of her statements "are not in close enough alignment with some Catholic teachings."
Goodman was invited to give the William Furlong Lecture, which honors the longtime adviser of the student newspaper. Kelly Rhodes, an assistant professor of English and head of the lecture committee, said Goodman was invited because the committee wanted a distinguished newswoman to give the 25th anniversary lecture.
The Cardinal Newman Society, a Virginia group that monitors Catholic colleges, objected to the Goodman invitation Sept. 13.
