Priest asks lawmaker to quit choir post
Views on abortion, gay marriage cited
A Catholic priest at St. Augustine Parish in Andover has asked state Representative Barbara A. L'Italien to step down as cantor and leader of the children's choir because of the legislator's support for abortion rights and gay marriage.
''He said because of my views, he did not want to have me on the altar at church anymore," L'Italien said yesterday, adding that she had refused the request from the Rev. William M. Cleary nearly two weeks ago.
L'Italien has been attending Wednesday night children's choir practices and plans to act as cantor again during the holidays, unless she receives a written order from Cleary, she said.
''I'm trying to be a good Catholic," L'Italien said. ''But this should be a separate issue. Church should be a sanctuary for me and my faith and not have anything to do with my work."
A spokeswoman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston said the church would not comment on the Andover priest's actions. ''The archdiocese is gathering facts, and so it would be premature to make any comment," spokeswoman Ann Carter said.
A man who answered the phone at St. Augustine's rectory said Cleary would not comment on the matter, which was first reported in The Eagle-
Cleary was quoted yesterday as saying that he has no objection to L'Italien receiving communion or working with children ''behind the scenes."
''In this particular case, we're dealing with a person who is against the church's position" on abortion, The Eagle-Tribune quoted Cleary as saying. ''I can't allow her to be in a public posture, to be standing up at the pulpit singing or directing singing."
It is not the first time that area politicians have clashed with clergy members because of their professional views. In April, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley warned that political figures should not seek to receive the Eucharist if they support abortion rights. The archbishop also encouraged parishioners to voice the church's stance in the legislative debate earlier this year over whether to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.
L'Italien -- who represents parts of Andover, North Andover, Methuen, Haverhill, Boxford, and Georgetown -- said Cleary had telephoned her on Nov. 3, the day after she was reelected, and asked to meet.
The following day, at her kitchen table, Cleary told her that four people had complained about her leading the choir as cantor and about her leading the children's choir, in which her three children sing, because she had voted against the gay marriage ban, L'Italien said. The cantor is the chief singer in a church's choir and leads the congregation in singing.
''I tried to point out that I am against the death penalty, that I've worked with the poor," said L'Italien.
At a second meeting last Thursday, the priest reiterated his plea that L'Italien step down. Again she refused. Cleary said he would send her a written notice this week saying her services are no longer welcome, she said.
''I'm surprised, and I'm saddened," L'Italien said. ''It feels like a big loss."
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report. Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com. 