Boston College Theology Dept. Hosting “Jesus Christ as Grand Marshall of Queer America”

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It’s time for Catholics including alumni to quit supporting such ‘Catholic’ universities in any way.

(Let them get their funding from George Soros, with whose ideals they seem to have more in common.)
 
I promise I will not hijack the thread, but I have to say that I would never attend any lecture that had as its stated mission, an intent to interpret scripture from the framework of an intellectually phony and anachronistically modern “theology” such as “liberation theology.” For the record, there is no “liberation theology” in the Christian Gospels. Not as described in the hopelessly ungrounded liberation theology texts that we used to devise new ways to destroy in theology school. Jesus was not a radical political liberator, and he was explicit about this several times. Neither Jesus’ contemporaries nor Ann Russo can get him to back their causes. And there is also a mistaken notion floating around some Catholic circles that the church’s social justice imperatives derive from “liberation theology.” They do not. They derive directly from the gospels and are supported by the NT and OT in general. (There is a strong social justice component in Judaism which similarly derives directly from OT.)

Ann Russo also has a facebook page that I visited.
 
I have grandchildren that are 12 and under. I wonder if there will be any CATHOLIC Universities they can go to and still remain CATHOLIC.:confused::(:confused:😦
 
Academic freedom is important on any university campus, and I do understand the need to study comparative theology, particularly if you are a doctoral theology student.

As a BC student though, I do think that such a talk, which asserts points of view clearly in direct conflict with Catholic teaching, should be accompanied by another lecture which explains and defends the Church’s teaching on homosexuality.

As a side note, I am also proud that The Observer, BC’s more conservative newspaper, broke this story on its front page.
 
bobzills said:
On March 28, the Boston College Theology Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Jesuit Interreligious Advisory Board, is hosting a talk by Loyola Marymount University graduate student Ann Russo entitled, “Jesus Christ as Grand Marshall of Queer America.”
cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/488/ItemID/442/Default.aspx
**I thought that Boston college was a Catholic Jesuit college, and the local bishop permits it to advertise as a Catholic college?/**QUOTE]
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The bold is mine.

I see comments and questions like this on this forum all the time and am amazed at the fact that so many Catholics do not understand that role of a bishop and that of a Major Religioius Superor or a religious community of Pontifical Right. When I went to school, this was very clearly explained to us in Church history classes.

The Jesuits own and run Boston College, not the Archdiocese. Therefore, the only authority over Boston College is the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits, not the Archbishop. If any bishop in any diocese becomes involved with a member or members of a religious order of Pontifical Right to discipline them, their mitres would spin faster than the head of John the Baptist. These Orders are protected by the pope. He is their highest superior.

The hierarchy of orders and congregations of pontifical right goes this way.

Lowest level: local superior
Regional level: regional superior or provincial superior
National level: national superior or general counselor
International level: superior general
Universal Church level: Pontiff

The bishop is nowhere in this hierarchy. They do not answer to him and he has no jurisdiction over what happens in their houses and their institutions. The bishop is only responsible for what happens on diocesan property and diocesan ministries.

Please, let’s stop demanding that bishops do things that they are not allowed to do. A male Major Superior of any religious order has the same power as a bishop, even if that major superior is not ordained. Any male major superior is an Ordinary, equal to a bishop.

Therefore, only the Pope has authority over that superior and all commands to the members of that community have to trickle down from the Holy Father through the Congregation for Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life. It does not even come directly from the Holy Father. There is a protocal that is followed, before the Holy Father becomes personally involved.

As to the bishop, he may NEVER get involved with a religious of Pontifical Right unless that person or persons work for him.

That’s why the Bishop of Stubenville said that he could not ask the Franciscans at Franciscan University to celebrate the EF. The Holy Father had told the bishops that they were not to impose this on religious of pontifical right.

Certain decisions, such as this one, the Holy Father leaves to the Major Superiors of the orders. In this case, the Society of Jesus and the Board of Governors of the University.

Let’s give the bishops a break and not expect them to get their heads chopped off by the Holy See or some Congregation in the Curia.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
 
This is giving scandal on a level that is hard to imagine. It would be disrespectful to use the name of Our Lord that way, even if it were not in opposition to the Church’s teaching.

BTW, people at a university level should learn to spell the word “marshal”. They used the spelling of a surname in place of the word they wanted.
 
Georgia said:
This is giving scandal on a level that is hard to imagine. It would be disrespectful to use the name of Our Lord that way, even if it were not in opposition to the Church’s teaching.

BTW, people at a university level should learn to spell the word “marshal”. They used the spelling of a surname in place of the word they wanted.
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You may be right. But this is a problem for the Society of Jesus to resolve with the leadership of the university, not the bishop. He is out of his element here.

I was just wondering why so many Catholic want bishops to do things thatt they are not allowed to do and would get their heads knocked off by the Pope Benedict. :eek:

We had a similar situation with a Catholic College in our diocese. I won’t mention the order, because it has blown over and there is not need to hurt a community’s reputation. The case was brought to the Archbishop and his answer was

“I’m not about to get involved with religious of Pontifical Right and get my head chopped off by the Pope. The only bishop allowed to interfere with the affairs of these orders is the Bishop of Rome. To interfere, I would be usurping the role and authority of the Bishop of Rome. The best that I can do is to write Rome about this and let them decided if they want to do something or not.”

The reply that he received from the Holy Father, which he later shared in the local Catholic paper was, “This is an internal affair of an Order that is directly responsible to the Apostolic See. Do not intervene.”

The issue was resolved in a rather nice manner too. The Major Superior did know what was happening and when he found out, he dealt with it in quiet an dignified manner. The religious were obedient to their major superior and the one who was not was reassigned.

Sometimes, these things take time to solve,but they get solved without scandal and making the Church look undignified.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
 
No matter who has authority over the operation of Boston College, BC alumni and others certainly have power to cut off their personal funding of the university. It’s an authority they need to exercise.
 
Let’s look at that quote again:

"On March 28, the Boston College Theology Department, in cooperation with the U.S. Jesuit Interreligious Advisory Board, is hosting a talk by Loyola Marymount University graduate student Ann Russo entitled, “Jesus Christ as Grand Marshall of Queer America.”

I attended a Jesuit university many years ago. Had such an announcement been made, I along with at least half of the student body would have been transferring to other schools the following semester.
 
JimG said:
No matter who has authority over the operation of Boston College, BC alumni and others certainly have power to cut off their personal funding of the university. It’s an authority they need to exercise.
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To say a bishop has no power in this situation is, IMESHO, naive or an attempt to abrogate the local responsibility. A bishop can prepare an article regarding the nature of the school action, as well as how it is in contradiction with church teaching for publication in the diocese newspaper. A letter to all Catholic periodicals with the same information as well as a plea to parents to not send their children to the college and to alumni to cease contributions could also be done.

It is my understanding the diocese could petition Rome to have the matter investigated and if deemed appropriate, Rome could order the recalcitrants to leave the diocese.
 
maggiemay2u said:
To say a bishop has no power in this situation is, IMESHO, naive or an attempt to abrogate the local responsibility. A bishop can prepare an article regarding the nature of the school action, as well as how it is in contradiction with church teaching for publication in the diocese newspaper. A letter to all Catholic periodicals with the same information as well as a plea to parents to not send their children to the college and to alumni to cease contributions could also be done.

It is my understanding the diocese could petition Rome to have the matter investigated and if deemed appropriate, Rome could order the recalcitrants to leave the diocese.
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You are right that the diocese can write to Rome. You are also right that the diocese can make a public statement divorcing themselves from the event.

The diocese may not make a plea to parents not to send their children to BC or any school run by religious onf Pontifical Right. That would be a bishop undermining the status of the religious order. He cannot legally do that. He mut let Rome act.

He cannot ask or encourage people not to contribute to the college. Again, that would be contrary to the rules that define the relationship between a bishop and a community of Pontifical Right and that community’s ministry.

You’re asking a bishop to undermine a Pontifical institution. The order that runs the college is a Pontifical Order. That means that only the Pontif has authority over them, as long as they are not working in a diocesan ministry. The Archdiocese of Boston does not own BC.

We need to come up with better advice than a holy war between the Cardinal and the Society of Jesus and the Vatican. Let’s look for solutions that provide unity, not clashes between people in power. We have to remember that the Jesuit superior is equal to the Cardinal in juridical authority and power. They have to work together and if they cannot, then they Pope has to step in. But the Cardinal cannot undermine or sabbotage the Jesuits.

If this were a diocean college he would fire them. But it’s a Jesuit college. Rome will not be happy over a confrontation between two Ordinaries over one event when it can be resolved with dignity and without hostility.

There are also civil laws that govern colleges and universities that both sides have to comply with.

One of the Archbishops of Washington tried to get the Dignity movement out of Georgetown University and it almot cost him his episcopal see. Even though he was right and Rome agreed with his concern, they rebuked him for interfering with a religious order and its institution, which is subject only to the Major Superior and to the Pontif.

Eventually the Major Superior did order that Dignity not meet on the university campus and informed his subordinates at the university that they had to obey. But the bishop had to apologize to the order. The Major Superior was very uspet that the Bishop had not followed protocol and let him handle the situation.

We don’t need these kinds of conflicts. Bishops and Major Superiors already have their hands full. Let them dialogue through this.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
 
JReducation said:
You are right that the diocese can write to Rome. You are also right that the diocese can make a public statement divorcing themselves from the event. Are you saying he can’t say that it is contrary to Church teaching? Source, please.

The diocese may not make a plea to parents not to send their children to BC or any school run by religious onf Pontifical Right. Specific source dealing with assertion, please.That would be a bishop undermining the status of the religious order. He cannot legally do that. He mut let Rome act.

He cannot ask or encourage people not to contribute to the college. Source, please–I would like to see this specific assertion…not being snarky, it just runs counter intuitive.

You’re asking a bishop to undermine a Pontifical institution. No, I’m not. I’m saying the bishop has the authority, and the responsibility to call out evil, wherever it exists. The order that runs the college is a Pontifical Order. That means that only the Pontif has authority over them, as long as they are not working in a diocesan ministry. The Archdiocese of Boston does not own BC. Never said he did…

We need to come up with better advice than a holy war between the Cardinal and the Society of Jesus and the Vatican. Let’s look for solutions that provide unity, not clashes between people in power. We have to remember that the Jesuit superior is equal to the Cardinal in juridical authority and power. They have to work together and if they cannot, then they Pope has to step in. But the Cardinal cannot undermine or sabbotage the Jesuits. Yet the Jesuits appear to have no problem sabotaging Rome…

If this were a diocean college he would fire them. But it’s a Jesuit college. Rome will not be happy over a confrontation between two Ordinaries over one event when it can be resolved with dignity and without hostility.

There are also civil laws that govern colleges and universities that both sides have to comply with.

One of the Archbishops of Washington tried to get the Dignity movement out of Georgetown University and it almot cost him his episcopal see. Even though he was right and Rome agreed with his concern, they rebuked him for interfering with a religious order and its institution, which is subject only to the Major Superior and to the Pontif.

Eventually the Major Superior did order that Dignity not meet on the university campus and informed his subordinates at the university that they had to obey. But the bishop had to apologize to the order. The Major Superior was very uspet that the Bishop had not followed protocol and let him handle the situation.

We don’t need these kinds of conflicts. Bishops and Major Superiors already have their hands full. Let them dialogue through this.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
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Okay, let’s keep the angels from dancing on pins. The bishop can send a letter to all periodicals outlining the same information he has publicized in his diocese newspaper. Generally speaking, nominal “Catholics” don’t subscribe to orthodox Catholic publications, and wouldn’t care if there was a PP clinic on campus. Orthodox alum and parents would get the drift and take the appropriate action.

In light of their open dissent to the Holy Father and Church teachings in many, too many, IMO, Jesuit run schools could use a healthy dose of Papal intervention. I have toured campuses where GLT groups had socials and pro choice seminars were part of campus life. Masquerading as an entity of Christ’s Church is an abomination.
 
maggiemay2u said:
Okay, let’s keep the angels from dancing on pins. The bishop can send a letter to all periodicals outlining the same information he has publicized in his diocese newspaper. Generally speaking, nominal “Catholics” don’t subscribe to orthodox Catholic publications, and wouldn’t care if there was a PP clinic on campus. Orthodox alum and parents would get the drift and take the appropriate action.

In light of their open dissent to the Holy Father and Church teachings in many, too many, IMO, Jesuit run schools could use a healthy dose of Papal intervention. I have toured campuses where GLT groups had socials and pro choice seminars were part of campus life. Masquerading as an entity of Christ’s Church is an abomination.
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You’re probably right about the need for intervention from the Holy See in many of these issues. I agree with this 100%.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
 
That reminds me of my old diocese, which when I moved down here just got a new Bishop.

This Bishop has recently spoken boldly on many issues (some admittedly not so agreeable) but it seems that this time, it is in sync with this thread’s message:

catholic.org/collegiate/story.php?id=32730

God Bless,
Snert
 
Moslems would be rioting in the streets against such blasphemy, and yet this is coming directly from Catholics in Boston College.

What is against the rules at CAF to call each other it is now acceptable by Jesuits to stick onto the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

This is blasphemy.
 
JimG said:
It’s time for Catholics including alumni to quit supporting such ‘Catholic’ universities in any way.

(Let them get their funding from George Soros, with whose ideals they seem to have more in common.)
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Unfortunately, Boston College gets its funding from rich Catholics who get their moral guidance from their non-Catholic peers or from other Catholics like Ted Kennedy.
 
JReducation said:
One of the Archbishops of Washington tried to get the Dignity movement out of Georgetown University and it almot cost him his episcopal see. Even though he was right and Rome agreed with his concern, they rebuked him for interfering with a religious order and its institution, which is subject only to the Major Superior and to the Pontif. Yes, and we all know who runs Georgetown and their attitude towards “obedience”. I have many friends who are SJ’s. We disagree much of the time, especially when they do the wink when talking about obedience to Rome. I try to stick with neutral issues when we meet. Had I not met them in my radical youth, I probably wouldn’t waste my trying to convert them, but I’m following Ignatius’ admonition that first we have to convert the priests.

Eventually the Major Superior did order that Dignity not meet on the university campus and informed his subordinates at the university that they had to obey. But the bishop had to apologize to the order. The Major Superior was very uspet that the Bishop had not followed protocol and let him handle the situation. Geewillikers, just think, if the MS had just reigned in this foolishness to begin with, Rome, the bishops, nobody would have had to be upset… Isn’t it too bad Rome has to step in and tell these guys to follow the Faith…

We don’t need these kinds of conflicts. Bishops and Major Superiors already have their hands full. Let them dialogue through this. Keep me posted…this is Boston, after all:eek:.

Fraternally,

JR 🙂
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RobbyS said:
Unfortunately, Boston College gets its funding from rich Catholics who get their moral guidance from their non-Catholic peers or from other Catholics like Ted Kennedy.
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Well, if there are enough non-Catholic Catholics to support it, then I suppose there’s nothing to be done.
 
JimG said:
Well, if there are enough non-Catholic Catholics to support it, then I suppose there’s nothing to be done.
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The sad fact is, many parents send their kids off to “Catholic” colleges for a “Catholic” education, ya know, like the one they had, without ever bothering to study the campus, its ministries, outreaches, sub groups, mission and philosophy (real as opposed to stated) and adherence to Roman Catholic beliefs and practices. By the time they figure it out, junior or junette has become indoctrinated with the pro choice, everything is good that feels good, as long as we are saved, mentality. Or they’re the Chris Matthews “Catholics”(shudder) that extols the virtue of his “Catholic” education, while going all gooey for the most anti life president and agenda in history.

Prayers for them, one and all, especially the Jesuits who promote this tacit abandonment of the tenets of the faith.
 
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