PC bans fmr. congressman's speech

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - When former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo comes to Rhode Island this week, he won't be speaking at Providence College as initially planned. The school blocked his appearance because of his stance on illegal immigration.

In a statement released Monday, the Roman Catholic college said Tancredo's opposition to illegal immigration "directly contrasts" with those of Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence. Tobin is a member of the school's Board of Trustees.

"If a similar request to host a speaker on this topic is made in a future semester, the College will encourage and facilitate a format that allows for multiple points of view to be expressed," the statement said.

PC also said "Youth for Western Civilization", the group that invited Tancredo to speak, was not officially sanctioned by the school.

The group Rhode Islanders for Immigration Law Enforcement or RIILE has invited to speak at its headquarters Wednesday.

The group's founder, Terry Gorman, pointed out during a radio interview Monday morning that Providence College has had Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Patrick Kennedy speak at the school. Both of those politicians are pro-choice, which is in direct contrast to Catholic teachings.

Tancredo was previously a presidential candidate. He dropped out of the race in December 2007. A student protest interrupted his speech at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earlier this month.