Archbishop Alfred Hughes has told Xavier University he will not attend its graduation ceremonies next month because he objects to the university’s decision to
award an honorary degree to a veteran Democratic political strategist who supports abortion rights. Hughes told Xavier President Norman Francis of his decision by letter, expressing disappointment with the university, even as he acknowledged its legacy of education among African-Americans. Hughes also praised Francis “for your remarkable record of public service.” The Catholic church opposes those policies, believing that both take human lives. Brazile is a familiar television face as a political analyst on CNN and ABC, and she writes for Roll Call and Ms. magazines. She is an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University, where she lectures in that Catholic university’s women’s and gender studies program. After years of political experience, Brazile managed Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign, becoming the first black woman to hold such a position. She is the founder of Brazile and Associates, a consulting, grass-roots advocacy and training firm a few blocks from the White House. “As a lifelong devoted Catholic, I am sorry the archbishop will boycott this celebration of the class of 2009, ” Brazile said by e-mail. “I will remain faithful to the Catholic Church and my Christian faith which keeps me grounded.”
Forest Whitaker, too