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Boston College defends commencement speaker choice

NEWTON, Mass. (AP) - Boston College is defending its selection of Ireland's prime minister to be its commencement speaker despite criticism from a local conservative Catholic group.

The Boston-based Catholic Action League said the Jesuit school should not have invited Prime Minister Enda Kenny to speak because of his support for legislation that would permit abortions if there is a real and substantive threat to the mother's life, including from suicide.

Executive Director C.J Doyle called it "a terrible scandal."

Boston College spokesman Jack Dunn tells The Boston Globe the school invited Kenny to celebrate its heritage and relationship with Ireland.

The college is scheduled to award Kenny a doctor of laws degree at the May 20 ceremony.

Kenny says the measure would clarify Ireland's strict abortion laws, not alter them.