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Catholic Church Leaders Call For Casino Repeal

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The state’s four Roman Catholic Bishops are urging Massachusetts voters to repeal the state’s casino law.

   The bishops urged voters to support Question 3, which would repeal the 2011 casino law. The church leaders in a statement drew a distinction between gambling in moderation, which they said was acceptable entertainment and casinos, which they described as predatory gaming that weakens the moral fabric of society.  James Driscoll, executive director of the Massachusetts Catholic Conference said the bishops intend the casino referendum to be a prominent issue within the church.

  "On the referendum question a couple of years ago on assisted suicide the bishops had an impact. I am not saying they are going to be involved as much as they were on that fight."

   A spokesperson for the casino-funded group opposing repeal said it respectfully disagreed with the bishops.

The record-setting tenure of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The 2011 tornado and its recovery that remade the largest city in Western Massachusetts. The fallout from the deadly COVID outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Those are just a few of the thousands and thousands of stories WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill has covered for WAMC in his nearly 17 years with the station.