San Francisco Archbishop Won't Attend Rally Against Same-Sex Marriage, Made Appearance Last Year
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco said he will not attend a march in Washington, DC rallying same-sex marriage opponents, days before the U.S. Supreme Court hears a crucial case.
In a written statement, the Archdiocese of San Francisco said other Catholic bishops from around the country will attend the March for Marriage, saying it allows Cordileone to "remain home and attend to the pastoral needs of the Church here at this time."
Cordileone has helped lead the church's opposition to same-sex marriage. The archbishop attended last year's rally in the nation's capital over objections from local groups.
The archbishop's announcement comes amid an ongoing debate over proposed "morality clauses" in teacher contracts at four schools in the archdiocese. The proposal would require teachers to affirm church teachings on several issues, including teachings on abortion and homosexuality.
Last week, a group of 100 prominent Catholics in the Bay Area signed an open letter urging Pope Francis remove Cordileone from his post.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the same-sex marriage case next week.