The Supreme Court today overturned the Massachusetts law that set a buffer zone around abortion clinics as a violation of the First Amendment of protesters.

In its ruling, the court said the buffer zones prevented "personal, caring, consensual conversations with women about various alternatives" to abortion, in violation of the First Amendment and that, in fact, by pushing what the court said were not "protesters" back 35 feet, actually encouraged "vociferous opponents of abortion" with particularly loud voices to scream out their protests.

Associated Press reports the court will consider whether a law that bans anti-abortion activists from getting within 35 feet of people entering clinics violates their First Amendment rights.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley blogs about his participation in Ted Kennedy's funeral, defends his decision from Kennedy haters and adds that he used his brief time talking to President Obama to tell him the church will only support universal health care if it does not include abortion provisions.

There will be a vigil on Monday to honor the memory of George Tiller, the Kansas doctor gunned down in church today. Starts at 6 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 138 Tremont St.

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Domenico signs a petition asking Archbishop Sean O'Malley to either get Catholic Charities to disinvite Tom Menino from a banquet next week or fire its board. At issue: Menino's stances on abortion and gay marriage.

... While this is obviously a difficult request, we believe in our hearts that this is a necessary step that must be taken. The people of Boston have lost confidence in the spiritual leadership of Catholic Charities. ...