We are writing in regards to the bias incident that occurred at the > Newman Catholic Center on November 6, 2008. As the executive board of > Newman Catholic Campus Ministry, we feel it is imperative that we > bring to your attention our concerns regarding this incident on behalf > of the Catholic community of Montclair State University.
The Newman Catholic Campus Ministry’s mission is to help the Catholic > students of Montclair State University develop their identity as > Catholic-Christians, and to have the opportunities to share and speak > about their faith with peers. As a Class II organization of the > Student Government Association, we do this in a variety of ways. Most > importantly we celebrate Mass on campus on Sunday evenings and offer > daily Mass and rosary. We create opportunities for social outreach: a > Bone Marrow Donor Drive, Canned Food Drives, Toys for Tots program, > and Action against Hunger project. We also offer faith-growing > activities such as: Bible studies, Lock-Ins, Retreats, Inter-faith > dialogues, and Faith Sharing. Furthermore, we have many social > opportunities for fellowship, which help to foster lasting > relationships between our members.
The bias crime that took place on November 6 involving a used condom > placed on the doorknob of the Newman Catholic Center was a direct > attack on our Catholic beliefs and teachings, as well as an attack on > a student’s residence and our place of worship. As Catholics, we value > life and in turn do not believe in the use of contraceptives. In > saying this, it is obvious that placing such an item on the doorknob > of our place of worship is extremely offensive and outright disgusting.
As students of Montclair State University, we are often told of the > University’s openness and acceptance of diversity. However, the > cavalier reactions of many people on this campus–including both > students and staff–have led us to believe otherwise. Many have > laughed off the attack, dubbing it a prank and thereby diminishing the > gravity of the incident. Some have even used the incident as a means > to further mock and demean our faith, criticizing the Catholic Church > for reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with this issue. The > fact remains that to a Catholic student on this campus, what happened > was an attack on our belief system, and to laugh it off is to belie > the very ideas–of diversity, of acceptance–on which this university > is founded.
As students and leaders of Newman Catholic Campus Ministry we are > saddened that such an incident has placed us in this situation, but > grateful to have the opportunity to bring our concerns regarding the > incident to the greater campus community. We realize that each student > on this campus is a unique individual and it is our hope that as we > bring this issue to each of you, we can learn to appreciate our > differences and stand beside one another to truly create the diversity > our campus prides itself in.
We thank you for your time and consideration,
Newman Catholic Campus Ministry
Executive Board
