MANCHESTER (NH)
The Union Leader
By RILEY YATES
Union Leader Staff
MANCHESTER — Nearly half of Trinity High School's graduating class signed a petition asking that Catholic Bishop John McCormack not celebrate tomorrow's baccalaureate Mass, a student who was part of the effort said.
The petition led to a meeting Friday at the school between McCormack and about 35 students, said Trinity's principal and senior Katie Bartlett. Students questioned the bishop about his role in the church's priest abuse scandals.
"I wouldn't describe it as tense," said Principal Denis Mailloux, who counted as many supporters of McCormack as detractors. "I would describe it as passionate."
Last night, the Rev. Edward Arsenault, a spokesman for the Manchester Diocese McCormack heads, said the bishop plans to celebrate the Mass. It will be held at 7 p.m. at Abbey Church at St. Anselm College in Goffstown.
"He doesn't go to baccalaureate Masses because he is picked," Arsenault said. "He goes because it's his ministry."
Posted by kshaw at June 7, 2005 05:52 AM