Religion News Service: McCain, Obama to attend Catholic dinner in New York |
Site last published: 01/06/10
Religion News Service: McCain, Obama to attend Catholic dinner in New York
September 18,2008
WASHINGTON Presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain will both attend a high-profile political dinner hosted by the Archdiocese of New York next month.
The annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner, scheduled for Oct. 16, is a must-attend event for politicians and New York society. Master of Ceremonies Alfred E. Smith VI called it an "evening of camaraderie and good-natured political parrying."
Obama's invitation comes four years after the last Democratic nominee for the White House, Sen. John Kerry, was not invited because of his support for abortion rights. In 1996, then-President Bill Clinton was not invited after he vetoed a ban on so-called "partial-birth" abortions.
This year, despite Obama's support for abortion rights, New York Cardinal Edward Egan said he is "delighted" to have the two presidential candidates speak at the white-tie event.
The 63rd annual dinner honors former New York Gov. Al Smith, who in 1928 became the first Catholic nominated for president by a major political party. Although he lost the election, he is said to have paved the way for John F. Kennedy to become the nation's first, and so far only, Catholic president.
"It is my fervent hope that his (Smith's) example will continue to inspire those who hold elected office to provide compassionate care for our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the Lord," Egan said.
McCain said he was honored to be a part of the event. "The most important lesson I have learned is that, to sustain my self-respect for a lifetime, it would be necessary for me to have the honor of serving something greater than my own self-interest," he said.
Obama said he was looking forward to addressing an organization "with such a remarkable history of compassion and commitment to helping those in need."
The annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner, scheduled for Oct. 16, is a must-attend event for politicians and New York society. Master of Ceremonies Alfred E. Smith VI called it an "evening of camaraderie and good-natured political parrying."
Obama's invitation comes four years after the last Democratic nominee for the White House, Sen. John Kerry, was not invited because of his support for abortion rights. In 1996, then-President Bill Clinton was not invited after he vetoed a ban on so-called "partial-birth" abortions.
This year, despite Obama's support for abortion rights, New York Cardinal Edward Egan said he is "delighted" to have the two presidential candidates speak at the white-tie event.
The 63rd annual dinner honors former New York Gov. Al Smith, who in 1928 became the first Catholic nominated for president by a major political party. Although he lost the election, he is said to have paved the way for John F. Kennedy to become the nation's first, and so far only, Catholic president.
"It is my fervent hope that his (Smith's) example will continue to inspire those who hold elected office to provide compassionate care for our less fortunate brothers and sisters in the Lord," Egan said.
McCain said he was honored to be a part of the event. "The most important lesson I have learned is that, to sustain my self-respect for a lifetime, it would be necessary for me to have the honor of serving something greater than my own self-interest," he said.
Obama said he was looking forward to addressing an organization "with such a remarkable history of compassion and commitment to helping those in need."