N.Y. cardinal backs invitation to Obama
8/18/2012NEW YORK -- Cardinal Timothy Dolan is standing by his decision to invite President Obama to a prominent annual charity dinner even though the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York is suing the administration.
Cardinal Dolan said he has received "stacks of mail protesting" Mr. Obama's inclusion in the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner on Oct. 18.
Mr. Smith was the first Roman Catholic nominee for president. It is customary for presidents and candidates to attend the event in an election year. The cardinal said some critics had told him "the invitation is a scandal."