A New Jersey bishop has begun a campaign against the inclusion of America's largest feminist group, the National Organisation for Women (Now), in one of New Jersey's largest St Patrick's Day parades because of its support for women's reproductive rights.
At least 18 priests have written protest letters to the organisers of the Morristown parade, calling on them to reconsider the inclusion of Now after Bishop Arthur J Serratelli wrote his protest letter to all priests in Morris County, where the parade takes place.
In his letter, Bishop Serratelli, whose diocese includes nearly 400,000 Catholics, said Now's support for "abortion, birth control and reproductive rights" was against the teachings of St Patrick.
The parade organisers have refused to remove Now, which has marched in the parade since 1992 accompanied by a small shamrock-decorated float which includes no political message.
Now marched in 2000 when the previous bishop, Frank J Rodimer, was grand marshal of the parade. In his recent letter, Bishop Serratelli asked priests in Morris County to express concerns that Now would be marching.
Robert Nace, of the Morristown Friendly Sons of St Patrick, which helps to organise the parade, said Now had always complied with the parade's strict rules against distributing political messages.