Another Catholic University Fails a Litmus Test

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From the “Wall Street Journal”, article by Anne Hendershott

online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704324304575306812634791910.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEFTThirdBucket

“Marquette University’s decision to withdraw an offer to Jodi O’Brien, a self-described “sexuality scholar” to become Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Jesuit-led institution continues to divide the faculty.”

“Of the three finalists for the position, Ms. O’Brien was the first choice, even though her publication record was minimal in comparison with the others. Though all three had led academic departments, the two male candidates also had grant-writing success and prestigious publication records.”

“Ms. O’Brien published articles such as “How Big is your God? Queer Christian Social Movements.” One of the male finalists wrote a book on the French Revolution that won an award from the American Historical Association. Ms. O’Brien published a “gender switching” article describing online homoerotic behavior entitled “Changing the Subject.” One of the other finalists received funding for 17 major research grants and listed dozens of publications on his 19-page vita.”

“But the real story here is that in the upside-down world of Catholic higher education, there is more status in hiring a sexuality scholar who denigrates Catholic teachings on sexuality and marriage than in choosing a serious scholar who might actually support Catholic teachings”
 
But they didn’t hire her. Shouldn’t that mean they passed the litmus test? 🤷
 
But they didn’t hire her. Shouldn’t that mean they passed the litmus test? 🤷
From what I gather, Professor O’Brien is already a department head at Seattle University, a Jesuit institution. Marquette offered her the position. However, the Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki privately intervened after Professor O’Brien’s anti-Catholic positions became known.

So, if the Archbishop had said nothing, she would have been hired. :rolleyes:

Here’s another article on the same subject that provides a bit more insight on the hire & rescind process:
thecatholicspirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3762&Itemid=33
 
From what I gather, Professor O’Brien is already a department head at Seattle University, a Jesuit institution. Marquette offered her the position. However, the Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki privately intervened after Professor O’Brien’s anti-Catholic positions became known.

So, if the Archbishop had said nothing, she would have been hired. :rolleyes:

Here’s another article on the same subject that provides a bit more insight on the hire & rescind process:
thecatholicspirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3762&Itemid=33
Ah. Thank God for Archbishop Listecki!
 
There DOES seem to be a growing number of bishops in this country who recognize that the shepherd’s staff is more than a ceremonial decoration. What a difference for Milwaukee from earlier eras!
 
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