Website picks O'Malley for honor

Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley, who has served just five months as leader of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, today is to be named the most inspiring person of 2003 by Beliefnet.com, a multi-faith Internet religion site.

The website's producers chose O'Malley over Pope John Paul II and the year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi, as well as the two people favored by the website's viewers, President George W. Bush and Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who is the first gay Episcopal bishop.

"O'Malley is a rare religious leader who has managed to unite and inspire a wide variety of people," the website said. "Even those who dislike his conservative views on sexual or moral issues appreciate his heartfelt efforts to restore spiritual credibility to the church."

The website, www.beliefnet.com, said it had been granted an interview with O'Malley which would be published online late today.

MICHAEL PAULSON