BOSTON (AP) – Disagreement over Mayor Thomas Menino’s views on abortion and same sex marriage has prompted Archbishop Sean O’Malley to cancel plans to attend the annual Catholic Charities Christmas dinner next month.

The fund-raising dinner is honoring Menino, an outspoken advocate of abortion rights and gay marriage.

The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, a conservative Catholic group, has called for a boycott of the dinner to send a message that Catholic leaders in public office should not be honored if they ignore the Vatican’s teachings on major social issues, The Boston Globe reports.

O’Malley’s decision puts him among those who argue that to honor Menino would contravene the basic principles of the church.

Catholic Charities provides discounted fuel, food and other services to 150,000 needy people every year.