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Vicki Kennedy Tells BC Law Grads To Find Common Ground

BOSTON (AP) — The widow of U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has called on Boston College Law School graduates to use training from their Catholic education to work for justice.

Catholic attorney Victoria Reggie Kennedy gave the keynote speech at Friday's graduation ceremony. She also urged graduates to make progress by finding common ground with people as she said her late husband did.

Kennedy had been scheduled to deliver this year's commencement speech at Anna Maria College in Paxton. But the Catholic college rescinded the invitation under pressure from a bishop who objected to Kennedy's public support for abortion rights and gay marriage.

Seven protesters picketed outside, carrying signs saying: "BC Honors Abortion Defender."

School officials say they weren't conferring an honorary degree on Kennedy, whom they say is committed to social justice.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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