WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-NY's Cuomo no stranger to church-state friction
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Associated Press - November 22, 2009 3:55 PM ET
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo (KWOH-moh) says church leaders should be cautious about pressuring Catholic politicians over issues such as abortion because people might not vote for someone they think is guided by religion.
Cuomo's comments come as Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy spars with a bishop over his public stance on moral issues including abortion. Kennedy says Bishop Thomas Tobin has asked him not to receive communion.
In 1984, Cuomo delivered a speech at the University of Notre Dame saying Catholic lawmakers shouldn't be pressured by church leaders to work for anti-abortion legislation.
He tells The Associated Press that asking Catholic leaders to force their faith on everybody they represent would alienate people.
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