Church no sanctuary from Truth

An Andover, Mass., priest has courage, and one of his parishioners has gall.

A Catholic priest at St. Augustine Parish in Andover has asked state Representative Barbara A. L'Italien to step down as cantor and leader of the children's choir because of the legislator's support for abortion rights and gay marriage.

''He said because of my views, he did not want to have me on the altar at church anymore," L'Italien said yesterday, adding that she had refused the request from the Rev. William M. Cleary nearly two weeks ago. L'Italien has been attending Wednesday night children's choir practices and plans to act as cantor again during the holidays, unless she receives a written order from Cleary, she said.

Forget for a moment that she is already disobeying the direct request of a priest -- a very un-Catholic breach of conduct in and of itself -- and consider her next statement:

''I'm trying to be a good Catholic," L'Italien said. ''But this should be a separate issue. Church should be a sanctuary for me and my faith and not have anything to do with my work."

Sanctuary? The Church is no sanctuary for those seeking to hide from the truth. Perhaps Rep. L'Italien should consider the state capitol of Massachusetts her sanctuary since obviously she gives greater weight to her political views than she does the clear moral teaching of the Catholic faith.

Now is the time for Catholic bishops and priests to step forward to draw firm lines against disobedient laity, at least those who are role models because of their public profiles, who want to disobey and yet be considered members in good standing. With the elections no longer an issue with which to whack the church, this is the moment where discipline can and should be administered. Those who agree (and comply) with church teaching should firmly provide backup for the priests and bishops who are willing to make a stand.

That includes the Archdiocese of Boston, which as yet has made no statement on this case. What has been said is not reassuring:

A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston said the church would not comment on the Andover priest's actions. ''The archdiocese is gathering facts, and so it would be premature to make any comment," spokeswoman Ann Carter said.

Father Cleary is keeping a low profile.

A man who answered the phone at St. Augustine's rectory said Cleary would not comment on the matter, which was first reported in The Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence. Cleary was quoted yesterday as saying that he has no objection to L'Italien receiving communion or working with children ''behind the scenes."

''In this particular case, we're dealing with a person who is against the church's position" on abortion, The Eagle-Tribune quoted Cleary as saying. ''I can't allow her to be in a public posture, to be standing up at the pulpit singing or directing singing."

It could be argued that his is a lenient position given that many in the Church are now taking a much tougher stance on dissident politicians and holy communion. Of course Rep. L'Italien doesn't seem to view it that way. She's even employing an old familiar tactic: offer half a loaf.

''I tried to point out that I am against the death penalty, that I've worked with the poor," said L'Italien.

Just not the death penalty for the inconvenient and unwanted unborn.