Menino fires back at critics over issues of faith, politics

(Correction: Because of a reporting error, a Page One story in yesterday's Globe gave an incorrect location for the Catholic Charities Greater Boston Christmas dinner on Friday night. It was held at the Boston Harbor Hotel.)

Mayor Thomas M. Menino, responding to critics who have questioned his Catholicism, last night offered an unusually pointed and personal address, saying that Jesus didn't showcase his piety or ''tell us to go around talking up God."

As a dozen pickets protested against him in front of the Catholic Charities Greater Boston Christmas dinner, Menino distanced himself from Christian politicians who seek to put God ''on courtroom walls." He said that ''a lot of political God talk makes me a little uneasy."

But the mayor, as the dinner's keynote speaker, put forward his own notion of what it means to be a Catholic in public life, saying that he draws on the values of humility and mercy in his daily work as an elected leader.

''Tonight is a rare public event outside of my parish church in which it is appropriate for me to say quite simply -- I believe in Jesus Christ," Menino said in a prepared text of his comments, which was released by aides.

''And what moves me most about being a Christian is what Jesus taught us about being religious," Menino said. ''He did not give priority to piety. He didn't make holiness the big thing. And he did not tell us to go around talking up God, either."

The speech was a relatively rare discussion of faith for Menino. It also underscored the intensifying debate nationally and in Boston about the role of faith in politics and recent efforts by more liberal and moderate Catholics to counter conservatives' success in defining Catholic values.

Conservative Catholics locally have been protesting the decision by Catholic Charities to honor Menino at the $500-per-plate event, because of the mayor's support for gay rights and abortion rights. They have also hit Catholic Charities for allowing 13 children to be adopted by gay or lesbian couples in the past two decades. The agency's president, the Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, has said his agency had to comply with state regulations that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Just before Thanksgiving, Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley announced that he would not attend, citing a policy adopted by US bishops against Catholic organizations honoring those who do not support church teachings.

In a statement issued last month, Catholic Charities stressed that it differs from the mayor on issues of gay marriage and abortion rights, but also finds common ground with Menino in a wide range of programs to help the disadvantaged.

Despite the protest campaign and O'Malley's withdrawal, Catholic Charities officials said that last night's dinner was sold out, and the $200,000 raised was a slight increase over previous years.

The event was not open to the news media, but a Catholic Charities spokesman said the mayor's remarks were ''warmly applauded" inside the function room at the Seaport Hotel.

In the speech, Menino did not discuss his positions on social issues. He told the group that he is never far from ''thinking of what the nuns taught me."

''What Jesus said, and what he showed with his life, was that the way to follow him was to take care of people," Menino said. ''He told us in the Gospel of Matthew -- the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the sick, and yes, the imprisoned."

He added: ''How much clearer could the Lord have made it?"

Terrence C. Donilon, a spokesman for the archdiocese, applauded the speech. ''Mayor Menino's remarks clearly demonstrate this is a person who loves his city and is dedicated to helping others," Donilon said. ''We appreciate his many good deeds on behalf of the needy. In fact, the archbishop is very thankful for the efforts of so many who contributed to the support generated tonight for the programs that Catholic Charities runs to serve children and families in need."

Outside, a small group of protesters stood in front of the hotel, holding signs -- including one that said '' 'Charities' Honors Abortion Advocate" -- and stamping their feet occasionally to keep warm.

''This is a tragedy. This is a very sad day for Catholic Charities," said C.J. Doyle, executive director of the Catholic Action League. ''It's very disturbing to have Catholic Charities honor the mayor, when he's spent his whole career working against Catholic principles."

Another protester, 54-year-old Bill Cotter of Braintree, said those boycotting the event believe that Catholic groups ''need to maintain their integrity" by following the church's moral teachings.

Nationally, more moderate and liberal Catholics are trying to reassert their values publicly, with some expressing frustration that conservatives have dominated public debate over social issues. In the recent gubernatorial election campaign in Virginia, Democrat Timothy Kaine spoke openly about his Catholic faith, including his missionary work, and some observers said that helped to blunt Republican criticism of his opposition to the death penalty.

At a speech in New Hampshire last month, US Senator John F. Kerry, who had been criticized for failing to articulate his personal values during the presidential campaign, told a group of 200 Democrats: '' 'As a Christian, as a Catholic, I think hard about those responsibilities . . . and how to translate them into public life."

After the protest group quietly disbanded at about 7:15 p.m., Catholic Charities chairman Peter Meade said that the people both inside the event and outside had much in common. ''Despite a few folks outside who have some differences, this is a family," Meade said. ''There shouldn't be a belief that the archbishop somehow isn't an ally and an advocate for Catholic Charities."

Catholic Charities is the largest private social services agency in Massachusetts, and the money raised last night will be given to a variety of charities.

They include Sunset Point Camp, a residential summer camp in Hull for disadvantaged children, the Teen Center at St. Peter's, an afterschool program for teens, and the Friendly Visitor program, which links volunteers with elderly people for companionship and assistance.

Last night's dinner attracted prominent Catholics from the city's business, media, and political circles, including construction magnate Jack Shaughnessy Sr., WBUR radio general manager Paul LaCamera, former lieutenant governor Thomas P. O'Neill III, businessman Neil F. Finnegan, former city councilor Lawrence DiCara, and former state Senate president William Bulger.

''It's a great event," Hehir said.