Mass. College Backs Off Invite To Kennedy Widow

PAXTON, Mass. (AP) — A Roman Catholic college in Massachusetts has withdrawn an invitation to the widow of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy to speak at graduation after the bishop of Worcester (WUS’-tur) raised concerns about her views.

Victoria Reggie Kennedy was scheduled to speak at Anna Maria College’s May commencement. The Paxton school announced Friday that “concerns were expressed about the college being in conflict with the bishop.”

The college did not cite Bishop Robert McManus’s specific concerns.

A diocese spokesman says the bishop has followed directions that Catholic institutions should not honor Catholics who take positions contrary to church principles, “particularly on the dignity of life from conception and the sanctity of marriage.”

In a statement to The Boston Globe, Kennedy called it “a sad day for me and an even sadder one for the church I love.”