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Belmont Abbey College Removes Employee Benefits for Abortion, Sterilization and Contraception
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Abbey_for_Truth
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xsuasox
Guest
It must be growing, because I can’t find a seat at a table in the carfeteria during lunch or dinner to save my life!
Now, back to our regularly scheduled threading.
On another note, the college does offer a program in motor sports management, which is drawing in many many students from the NASCAR crowd. Of course, being in the South, and the Bible Belt, most of these NASCAR loving students are going to be Protestant, not to mention the large number of Adult Degree Program students who live in the immediate area. They all still have to take the classes of the core curriculum, which includes two Theology courses. Even though I am a Theology major, I still have to take these classes as well because they are the core curriculum. So I am in there with these students, mostly Catholic (The majority of resident students are Catholic), but some Protestant, and the Protestant students are saying things like “Huh, never thought of that” and “Hey, that makes more sense than what I was told.”
Maybe they won’t graduate as Catholics, but you bet the school is making an impression on them. One can not walk outside one’s room without being reminded of Catholicism, and even if one stayed in one’s room, the ringing of the basilica bells would still get through. Both the Catholic and Prostestant students benefit from being around the monks, as it is hard to have men walking around in black robes and not notice, and in turn, not ponder why they are living this way. This college will leave a lasting impression on all who attend, and the Protestant students will have it on their minds and it won’t leave them. Their experience here may be what encourages them to swim the Tiber. It will certainly encourage the Catholic students to take greater care of their own faith as well.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled threading.
On another note, the college does offer a program in motor sports management, which is drawing in many many students from the NASCAR crowd. Of course, being in the South, and the Bible Belt, most of these NASCAR loving students are going to be Protestant, not to mention the large number of Adult Degree Program students who live in the immediate area. They all still have to take the classes of the core curriculum, which includes two Theology courses. Even though I am a Theology major, I still have to take these classes as well because they are the core curriculum. So I am in there with these students, mostly Catholic (The majority of resident students are Catholic), but some Protestant, and the Protestant students are saying things like “Huh, never thought of that” and “Hey, that makes more sense than what I was told.”
Maybe they won’t graduate as Catholics, but you bet the school is making an impression on them. One can not walk outside one’s room without being reminded of Catholicism, and even if one stayed in one’s room, the ringing of the basilica bells would still get through. Both the Catholic and Prostestant students benefit from being around the monks, as it is hard to have men walking around in black robes and not notice, and in turn, not ponder why they are living this way. This college will leave a lasting impression on all who attend, and the Protestant students will have it on their minds and it won’t leave them. Their experience here may be what encourages them to swim the Tiber. It will certainly encourage the Catholic students to take greater care of their own faith as well.
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Formosus
Guest
So a school that is so rule laden like Christendom that you can’t even own certain types of CDs or movies is a better alternative to Belmont ? Likewise are you suggesting a school that lacks accredidation, Wyoming Catholic, is better then a college that has been around since 1876? Or perhaps Liturgical hetrodoxy at its best, such as found at Franciscan, is also a much better alternative?
I am currently a student at BAC, and I will admit that the administration is not spectacular, but this is most definetely the WRONG issue to take up to go against them. Our school may also not be the most Catholic school out there, but you know what, you have to start somewhere. This school is just now recovering from the damage caused by the 60s, 70s, and 80s. If you look , Franciscan almost fell apart completely at one point in its past, would you have suggested people go there then? Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was not easy, and to rebuild a Catholic school is not an easy task. This is something I think you need to take into consideration.
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Abbey_for_Truth
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It appears that Mr. Carter is only interested in hit and run smears- detractions at best. He does not appear to be interested in informing himself, or anyone else for that matter, of facts.
He suggests he is close to the situation, and knows the complainers, but will not say what his connections to the Abbey, or to another institution, actually are.
He suggests he is close to the situation, and knows the complainers, but will not say what his connections to the Abbey, or to another institution, actually are.
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William_Carter
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Having been away for several days, I returned to find the rantings of Abbey for Truth scattered across this blog. How tiresome! He doesn’t respond to many of the issues I raised, but you have to give him credit for earning his pay by spin-doctoring. I will make one final reply to these remarks, and then leave the field entirely. My motive here is to warn parents against sending their children to Belmont Abbey College, thinking it is a faithful Catholic college run by people of good will. It is NEITHER, and the sooner its leaders either undergo moral reform or stop pretending the college is what it is not, the better for us all.
Abbey For Truth claims not to be an employee, yet makes “factual” claims about professors and students that could only be known by an employee, as does Riviera. Hmmmm… I AM a Catholic member of the Abbey community and can say that if there ARE more new professors coming who are orthodox Catholics, they are VERY quiet about it. Why aren’t they publicly siding with the administration on this health care issue, and every other part of the insincere though heavily marketed Catholic identity of this college? The only faculty voices anyone hears are from the supposed “professors of bad will,” as Abbey for Truth calls them. Well, why is that? Perhaps because almost every professor at the college fits Abbey for Truth’s narrow-minded category? If orthodox students are confronting these professors of “bad will,” why has Abbey for Truth not provided one example? Could it be because there are NO examples? Also, these “bad-willed” professors aren’t being confronted by supposedly orthodox colleagues. I see only a small group of orthodox Catholic students, and almost no orthodox professors. Is practically the entire faculty of “bad will,” Abbey for Truth? Who hired these bad-willed faculty members? Why aren’t they all dismissed from this assembly-line DIPLOMA MILL that Belmont Abbey College has become in the past four years?
My concern about the BAC administration goes beyond this specific health care issue. While I can agree with Dr. Thierfelder’s stated vision and strategic plan for the school, I can also disagree with his method of presenting and implementing that vision. There are many business case studies that demonstrate the best way for organizations to undergo significant changes is for the new leaders to take the time (sometimes up to a year) to understand the structure and people already there before executing any sweeping changes.
Dr. Thierfelder does not come from an academic background and did not take the time to understand the workings (good or bad) of this school. Even Formosus admits the administration is deficient. Unfortunately, Dr. Thierfelder continues to push ahead with running BAC as a BUSINESS (the only model he comprehends), rather than an academic institution. He now seeks to hire yet another highly paid administrator to a new position (see his newest job ad at ncregister.com/jobs/detail/8151)). Nowhere does this ad state a preference for someone with academic experience. Dr. Thierfelder seems to be terrified of interacting with students, staff and faculty unless in a highly structured way, much like presidential candidates. He walls himself off from the people he serves with layers upon layers of administrators at this tiny college (several of whom spend part of their workdays blogging, it seems), recycling tired speeches. It is a shame that, so far, Abbot Solari has allowed Dr. Thierfelder to get away with it, spending large amounts of money for these administrators and for buildings while the academic side goes begging.
However, what most disturbs me is that many articles and blogs make it sound as though Dr. Thierfelder and his administration are innocent saints persecuted by 8 evil faculty members. The fact is that the health care policy allowing abortion, sterilization and artificial contraception existed for the first 3 and a half years of Dr. Thierfelder’s administration. He was in charge and he permitted it. Period. Regardless of where he may be in his personal spiritual life (only God can judge that), Dr. Thierfelder and his administrators have made costly mistakes to contribute to the “bad will” among the vocal MAJORITY of faculty members. Even the best saints were humble enough to acknowledge and learn from their own faults and mistakes before pointing the finger at others (e.g. “professors of bad will” or the high turnover of previous administrators). I know of cases where Dr. Thierfelder’s claim of treating everyone “in persona Christi” with Benedictine hospitality vanishes the moment one questions him or his management decisions in the politest way. This is not Catholic virtue – it is insularity, vanity and an attempt to manage human beings by bulldozer.
Dr. Thierfelder’s well-paid spin doctors like Abbey for Truth will soon resume their distortions, trying hard to discredit my statements. They are paid for this work - I am not. Before they do, though, I leave with one final thought for any parent or student considering Belmont Abbey College – don’t be deceived by the marketing and the manipulation. Keep your eyes wide open, so that you can make an informed decision. I again recommend a handful of TRULY Catholic colleges to your attention – especially Christendom in Virginia, Franciscan in Ohio and Holy Apostles in Connecticut.
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xsuasox
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Are you transfering to any of these colleges, or do you just really really not like Belmont Abbey?
Yes parents, please, do your research. Christiendom and Franciscan are nice too. Tour every campus you consider, speak to all of the students you can, not just the student ambassadors. Meet the professors. And since I was interviewed for the article, I believe Catholic World Report has a review of 3 Benedictine colleges, one being Belmont Abbey. We seem to be Catholic enough for them, as well as Patrick Madrid who bases Envoy Magazine here too…but what do I know? I am just a Catholic student blinded by spin.
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Abbey_for_Truth
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Hi, Mr. Carter,
So, you are a “member” of the Abbey community, but not a professor-just an orthodox concerned parent/employee?
You must know something I do not-since I have yet to see any of those lucrative paychecks you claim I am receiving.
As to seeing my posts all over the internet, once again, you are projecting your actions onto others. I have seen your repeated attacks on other sites.
If you are a practicing Catholic, who is concerned for the well-being of impressionable young minds, then perhaps you should be consistent, and quit your job at the institution you so obviously despise.
If it is Christian charity which motivates you, perhaps you should refrain from detracting others, including the professors and staff at the Abbey.
As for me giving examples, to what end? You are in no position to confirm or deny my examples.
This thread is about specific decisions at the Abbey, and the “bad will” response of eight employees. If you are frustrated with the administrators and professors at the Abbey for some other reason, you should be man enough to speak with them about it-not anonymously post smears against the entire Abbey community.
Pax Christi.
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So, you are a “member” of the Abbey community, but not a professor-just an orthodox concerned parent/employee?
You must know something I do not-since I have yet to see any of those lucrative paychecks you claim I am receiving.
As to seeing my posts all over the internet, once again, you are projecting your actions onto others. I have seen your repeated attacks on other sites.
If you are a practicing Catholic, who is concerned for the well-being of impressionable young minds, then perhaps you should be consistent, and quit your job at the institution you so obviously despise.
If it is Christian charity which motivates you, perhaps you should refrain from detracting others, including the professors and staff at the Abbey.
As for me giving examples, to what end? You are in no position to confirm or deny my examples.
This thread is about specific decisions at the Abbey, and the “bad will” response of eight employees. If you are frustrated with the administrators and professors at the Abbey for some other reason, you should be man enough to speak with them about it-not anonymously post smears against the entire Abbey community.
Pax Christi.
"
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DrPiano
Guest
So I just want to add my prayers for the Administration at Belmont Abbey College 
I read about this whole issue in my school paper (at a staunchly liberal public university several states north of NC media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2008/03/03/CampusLife/N.c-College.Ends.Birth.Control.Coverage.Policy-3247068.shtml ) and wanted to cheer for the decision to remove this from the health insurance coverage. Having gone to an undergraduate institution that is working hard to maintain its Christian Reformed identity in the current educational environment, I hope Belmont Abbey College succeeds in asserting their right to be a religious institution while obtaining public scholarships and financial aid for their students. This is probably going to end up setting a lot of precidents that will affect many other institutions in the years to come.
I read about this whole issue in my school paper (at a staunchly liberal public university several states north of NC media.www.michigandaily.com/media/storage/paper851/news/2008/03/03/CampusLife/N.c-College.Ends.Birth.Control.Coverage.Policy-3247068.shtml ) and wanted to cheer for the decision to remove this from the health insurance coverage. Having gone to an undergraduate institution that is working hard to maintain its Christian Reformed identity in the current educational environment, I hope Belmont Abbey College succeeds in asserting their right to be a religious institution while obtaining public scholarships and financial aid for their students. This is probably going to end up setting a lot of precidents that will affect many other institutions in the years to come.
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mdgspencer
Guest
This goes to show that a Catholic school should be careful not to hire cafeteria Catholics, that is, if these protesters are Catholic at all. I work at a secularized Catholic university and some of the things the faculty have done there would curl your hair, including their battles against making the school more Catholic at all.
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Abbey_for_Truth
Guest
Thinking of joining the Tiber Swim Team?
You are always welcome!
You might want to check out EWTN, on the web, and on tv and radio.
They have tons of info. and and a Coming Home Network for converts.
Pax Christi.
You are always welcome!
You might want to check out EWTN, on the web, and on tv and radio.
They have tons of info. and and a Coming Home Network for converts.
Pax Christi.
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Ringo
Guest
Here’s the other side of the issue.
Now that Belmont Abbey College has made public its decision to remove contraceptive coverage from its employee health plan, it will be up to federal and state authorities to determine whether the college is complying with the law. According to the president of the college, removing the coverage was a moral choice consistent with church doctrine made for all employees regardless of their religious beliefs. Yet, not all agree that there are clear moral and legal grounds. The college has argued successfully in the past that it is secular enough to receive state funds, but now it is suddenly too religious to comply with a state law that it finds unconscionable. Additionally, the actions of Belmont Abbey Monastery seem to directly contradict the very moral principle used to justify the decision.
In a letter to the faculty on Dec. 19, 2007, the president said, “Since, as you are well aware, the Church considers sterilization, contraception, and abortion to be seriously morally wrong, the Abbot and I immediately realized that the college could not, in good conscience, continue, even indirectly, to fund these medicines and procedures.” The second iteration in February 2008, went like this: “As a Roman Catholic institution, Belmont Abbey College is not able to and will not offer nor subsidize medical services that contradict the clear teaching of the Catholic Church.”
Yet, it is well known that Belmont Abbey is a landlord and as such, leases its land in Belmont to two entities that sell contraceptives: Wal Mart’s pharmacy in Montcross, and the Rite Aid pharmacy in the Abbey Plaza. Each sells the very same or similar contraceptive drugs at issue in the employee plan, plus in all likelihood emergency contraception, believed by some to be an abortifacient. These rental payments, a portion of which are generated by the sale of contraceptives, are benefiting the Abbey, and ultimately the college through the routine financial contributions to the college by the Monastery. So why then is it acceptable to receive revenue from the sale of contraceptives, but unacceptable to give partial financial support to the employees who are prescribed these drugs? Why is the revenue earned by the Abbey from the sale of contraceptives by its tenants morally right, and the use of these drugs by its employees morally wrong? Is it the proper role of the college to force a particular personal choice on its non-believer employees or even on its Catholic employees? It seems to me that there is a fundamental disconnect between practices “morally right” for the Abbey but “seriously morally wrong” for the employees of the college. Where is the moral outrage and indignation when the money is coming in? Is it possible that the interpretation of morality by this president and Abbot is contingent upon who benefits?
Now, it’s in the hands of state and federal authorities to determine whether the college in fact violated the law, and to answer some important questions. Does a college that qualifies for and receives federal funds have the right to discriminate in the coverage of prescription drugs on sex and religious grounds and continue to receive funding? And can a college that now claims to be a religious employer continue to receive state funds when in 1977 it fought for and won in federal court the status of a “non-religious” employer in order to keep its state funding? These legal questions will finally be decided by an entity other than the college management. The moral questions will have to wait until some higher authority rules. Until that happens, obeying the law must come first. After all, obeying the law is a moral good, even recognized by the Catholic Church.
Now that Belmont Abbey College has made public its decision to remove contraceptive coverage from its employee health plan, it will be up to federal and state authorities to determine whether the college is complying with the law. According to the president of the college, removing the coverage was a moral choice consistent with church doctrine made for all employees regardless of their religious beliefs. Yet, not all agree that there are clear moral and legal grounds. The college has argued successfully in the past that it is secular enough to receive state funds, but now it is suddenly too religious to comply with a state law that it finds unconscionable. Additionally, the actions of Belmont Abbey Monastery seem to directly contradict the very moral principle used to justify the decision.
In a letter to the faculty on Dec. 19, 2007, the president said, “Since, as you are well aware, the Church considers sterilization, contraception, and abortion to be seriously morally wrong, the Abbot and I immediately realized that the college could not, in good conscience, continue, even indirectly, to fund these medicines and procedures.” The second iteration in February 2008, went like this: “As a Roman Catholic institution, Belmont Abbey College is not able to and will not offer nor subsidize medical services that contradict the clear teaching of the Catholic Church.”
Yet, it is well known that Belmont Abbey is a landlord and as such, leases its land in Belmont to two entities that sell contraceptives: Wal Mart’s pharmacy in Montcross, and the Rite Aid pharmacy in the Abbey Plaza. Each sells the very same or similar contraceptive drugs at issue in the employee plan, plus in all likelihood emergency contraception, believed by some to be an abortifacient. These rental payments, a portion of which are generated by the sale of contraceptives, are benefiting the Abbey, and ultimately the college through the routine financial contributions to the college by the Monastery. So why then is it acceptable to receive revenue from the sale of contraceptives, but unacceptable to give partial financial support to the employees who are prescribed these drugs? Why is the revenue earned by the Abbey from the sale of contraceptives by its tenants morally right, and the use of these drugs by its employees morally wrong? Is it the proper role of the college to force a particular personal choice on its non-believer employees or even on its Catholic employees? It seems to me that there is a fundamental disconnect between practices “morally right” for the Abbey but “seriously morally wrong” for the employees of the college. Where is the moral outrage and indignation when the money is coming in? Is it possible that the interpretation of morality by this president and Abbot is contingent upon who benefits?
Now, it’s in the hands of state and federal authorities to determine whether the college in fact violated the law, and to answer some important questions. Does a college that qualifies for and receives federal funds have the right to discriminate in the coverage of prescription drugs on sex and religious grounds and continue to receive funding? And can a college that now claims to be a religious employer continue to receive state funds when in 1977 it fought for and won in federal court the status of a “non-religious” employer in order to keep its state funding? These legal questions will finally be decided by an entity other than the college management. The moral questions will have to wait until some higher authority rules. Until that happens, obeying the law must come first. After all, obeying the law is a moral good, even recognized by the Catholic Church.
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Formosus
Guest
Obeying the law at the expense of Catholic teaching is not a moral good. I am of the opinion that the Abbey needs to make it clear to Walmart and Rite Aid as well that they will not tolerate those sales on its grounds. One step in the right direction is not a bad thing. I do think the administration has some serious issues that need to be worked out so do not take me for a blind follower of Dr. T . I beleive many many changes in a Catholic direction need to be taken( including how the administration deals with faculty) but every little step counts.
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Formosus
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Well I talked with a friend of mine who spoke with Dr. T, and contraceptives are now being discontinued from the student health plan as well (which was not offered directly by the school) and they are in discussion on how to get Wal Mart and Rite aid to stop selling contraceptives. I guess there goes two arguements against them eh?
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