Archbishop 'disappointed' by Xavier's commencement speakers

[_Abyssinia]

Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans has told Xavier University he does not support its decision to award honorary degrees to “some” of the four speakers who are scheduled to appear during its graduation ceremonies in May. The four are former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, basketball legend and entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corp. of New Orleans.

Aymond did not identify which speakers concerned him. But on matters of abortion and contraception, Landrieu, Holder and Johnson all have taken positions that could be seen to be at odds with the church.

“I am saddened to inform you that some of those to be honored do not represent the values and teachings of the Catholic Church,” the New Orleans archbishop wrote to the Catholic university on Feb. 20, the day the speakers were announced. “I was not consulted on the proposed candidates and remain disappointed in this decision by the university administration.”

nola.com/education/index.ssf/2015/03/archbishop_disappointed_by_xaviers_commencement_speakers.html

 

[PietroPaolo]

Yeah, but what is His Excellency prepared to do about it? If he is only prepared to be “sad” and “disappointed” I doubt anyone at the University is going to really care.

 

[Ignatius]

It would be a far stronger statement if he told them not to do it!

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Teddy Roosevelt advised: “Speak softly but carry a big stick.”

One prays that someday our bishops will learn that that big stick they carry isn’t just there to lean on when the mass gets too long.

 

[SouthCatholic]

As a graduate of Xaxier University in New Orleans, I promise you no one at Xavier gives one care that Archbishop Aymond has taken this position. In fact, this is the University’s official response that was emailed to all alums and current students:

Xavier University of Louisiana
Official Response to Archbishop Aymond’s Concern
Regarding Xavier’s Selection of Honorary Degree Recipients
March 4, 2015

Xavier University of Louisiana remains committed to our Catholic identity and to
the principles of Ex Corde Ecclesia, both of which promote respect for the dignity
of all of God’s creation. The University followed its traditional process for
selecting honorary degree recipients and firmly believes that our pending
honorees are strong leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to
humanity. We honor them based on their individual accomplishments and
steadfast commitments, especially in the areas of civil rights and social justice. We
are pleased that they have accepted our invitation to participate in this year’s
commencement exercises.

And Archbishop Aymond knows better than to try anything with Xavier. Pope Francis himself would have to come down here and put out that fire if he tries!

 

[commenter]

As a graduate of Xaxier University in New Orleans, I promise you no one at Xavier gives one care that Archbishop Aymond has taken this position. In fact, this is the University’s official response that was emailed to all alums and current students:

And Archbishop Aymond knows better than to try anything with Xavier. Pope Francis himself would have to come down here and put out that fire if he tries!

To the credit of the Archdiocese, the Archbishop’s statement is prominent on their website. But so is the link to XU, as one of the New Orleans Catholic institutions! I realize the Archbishop can’t control a rogue university, but he can control the Archdiocesan directory of Catholic institutions.

I don’t know New Orleans, but in my diocese the local “Jesuit” college gets a lot of indirect support by falsely claiming to be still Catholic. The diocese keeps listing it in their directory; the diocese gives them free publicity in the diocesan paper, in diocesan emails about upcoming “Catholic” events, etc, etc. Alumni keep pouring in money, partly because the Church seems to regard it as Catholic. Catholic parents still pay Catholic college tuition for what is really a public college education.

When a formerly Catholic college (or other institution) gradually becomes non-Catholic, local Church officials have a responsibility to publicly correct the inaccurate perception many Catholic people have. I’m not saying they should condemn institutions, just communicate to people that this is now a secular institution; that the Archdiocese respects XU, the same way it respects LSU. Catholics in New Orleans could communicate their concerns to the Alumni Association, and to major donors for the university. I would hope the Archdiocese itself will NEVER sponsor an activity at XU. It would be better to try to sponsor something at the local public college.

 

[SouthCatholic]

To the credit of the Archdiocese, the Archbishop’s statement is prominent on their website. But so is the link to XU, as one of the New Orleans Catholic institutions! I realize the Archbishop can’t control a rogue university, but he can control the Archdiocesan directory of Catholic institutions.

I don’t know New Orleans, but in my diocese the local “Jesuit” college gets a lot of indirect support by falsely claiming to be still Catholic. The diocese keeps listing it in their directory; the diocese gives them free publicity in the diocesan paper, in diocesan emails about upcoming “Catholic” events, etc, etc. Alumni keep pouring in money, partly because the Church seems to regard it as Catholic. Catholic parents still pay Catholic college tuition for what is really a public college education.

When a formerly Catholic college (or other institution) gradually becomes non-Catholic, local Church officials have a responsibility to publicly correct the inaccurate perception many Catholic people have. I’m not saying they should condemn institutions, just communicate to people that this is now a secular institution; that the Archdiocese respects XU, the same way it respects LSU. Catholics in New Orleans could communicate their concerns to the Alumni Association, and to major donors for the university. I would hope the Archdiocese itself will NEVER sponsor an activity at XU. It would be better to try to sponsor something at the local public college.

What I’m telling you is that Archbishop Aymond doesn’t have the guts to do anything except issue a statement and move along! He knows if he does anything more it will BLOW ALL THE WAY UP IN HIS FACE! You really have to know the dynamics of that institution, that city, and the tenuous relationship between black Catholics and the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Archbishop Aymond does not want those kinds of problems! So, he’s going to issue his statement, stay home, and keep it moving! And, no one will care that he’s not there just as when Archbishop Hughes (Archbishop Aymond’s predecessor) boycotted Xavier’s commencement because they invited Donna Brazile to speak.

 

[ProVobis]

I don’t know New Orleans, but in my diocese the local “Jesuit” college gets a lot of indirect support by falsely claiming to be still Catholic. The diocese keeps listing it in their directory; the diocese gives them free publicity in the diocesan paper, in diocesan emails about upcoming “Catholic” events, etc, etc. Alumni keep pouring in money, partly because the Church seems to regard it as Catholic. Catholic parents still pay Catholic college tuition for what is really a public college education.

How do you know it’s false? Have you checked out the diocesan financial statements? Or are you talking CINO? Just curious.

 

[Havard]

Yeah, but what is His Excellency prepared to do about it? If he is only prepared to be “sad” and “disappointed” I doubt anyone at the University is going to really care.

As far as I’m aware the only thing bishops can do to such universities is very extreme - revoke consent to use any Catholic identifiers. I think disassociating a school from the Church completely may be proper in some cases, but I’d want to know the whole history, not a snapshot.