Archbishop's stance on Sheryl Crow gets celebs joking

ST. LOUIS -- Roman Catholic Archbishop Raymond Burke didn't attend a fund raiser headlined by singer Sheryl Crow this weekend because he disagrees with her support of abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.

But his name sure came up just the same.

At the fund raiser Saturday for the Bob Costas Cancer Center at Cardinal Glennon Medical Center, Costas joked that Crow was appearing for three reasons: to help children, put on a good show and "get me excommunicated."

Comedian Billy Crystal said of the archbishop, "I respect his right to choose -- his right to choose not to be here."

Crystal added, "After all, charity begins at home because that's where he is."

Burke resigned last week from the board of the Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center Foundation because Crow was providing entertainment at the annual fund raiser and concert.

Costas said before the event he respected Burke's position, but disagreed with it.

Crow has not commented directly on the matter, but the Missouri native joked that her dad was at the show in case there was trouble. Audience members gave her a standing ovation, and she thanked them for their support.

Crow, who grew up in Kennett in the Missouri Bootheel, appeared in a commercial last year in support of Missouri's Amendment 2, which protects embryonic stem-cell research in the state. Burke campaigned against the measure, which passed.

Burke also called Crow "a well-known abortion activist" at a news conference last week.