Diocese of Spokane: Bp. Cupich does allow priests to participate in "40 Days for Life"

From Catherine Harmon, on the Catholic World Report blog:

In an effort to dispel rumors that have been circulating around the Internet this week (including here and here), the Diocese of Spokane has released a statement on its policy for clergy participation in pro-life efforts, specifically 40 Days for Life. In response to reports from several Spokane priests that their bishop had ordered them to refrain from praying in front of Planned Parenthood and from participating in 40 Days for Life vigils in particular, an online petition was launched by the coordinators of Spokane's 40 Days for Life campaign requesting that bishop reverse this position. More than 500 people signed the petition, including prominent pro-life advocate Abby Johnson.

She goes on to report to that while the statement from the Diocese of Spokane is rather ambiguous, a "clarifying email from the Diocese of Spokane's director of communications stated that yes, priests in Spokane may in good conscience participate in 40 Days for Life vigils without being considered disobedient to their ordinary." What remains unclear is whether it was a matter of miscommunication (doubtful, it seems, based on the evidence) or a complete change of direction by the Bishop. Read the entire CWR blog post.