Catholic Colleges Gone Bad

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16 Catholic Colleges Defy Catholic Bishops Ban on Dissident Speakers

MANASSAS, VA (May 10, 2005) – At least 16 Catholic colleges and universities—which this spring have invited 17 commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients who are public opponents of fundamental Catholic teachings—are at odds with the U.S. bishops who forbade such honors and platforms in a statement last June.

“We are blowing the whistle on any Catholic college or university that blatantly disrespects the bishops by defying their clear command and teaching,” said Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), a national organization dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity at America’s 219 Catholic colleges and universities. **“After decades of scandal at secularizing colleges, last June the bishops drew a line in the sand. No college that crosses that line deserves the label ‘Catholic’ or the support of the faithful—most especially monetary support.” **

In June 2004 by a near-unanimous vote, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the statement “Catholics in Political Life” including the following mandate: *“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
more…
 
Thank God about time something got done…I know of more then a few colleges in Washington that need thier attention…
 
this was sent to me:

**St. Lawrence University Defies **

**Bishops’ Ban on Honors for Pro-Abortion Pols **

***Sen. Hillary Clinton Invited to Speak ***

MANASSAS, VA – St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, has invited pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton to speak on campus, publicly defying the U.S. bishops who forbade such honors in a statement last June.

Sen. Clinton has consistently supported legalized abortion, speaking at gatherings of abortion-rights advocates and voting against a ban on partial-birth abortion.

“We are blowing the whistle on this and any other Catholic college that blatantly disrespects the bishops by defying their clear command and teaching,” said Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), a national organization dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity at America’s 220 Catholic colleges and universities. **“After decades of scandal at secularizing colleges, last June the bishops drew a line in the sand. No college that deliberately crosses that line deserves the label ‘Catholic’ or the support of the faithful—most especially monetary support.” **

CNS has written St. Lawrence University, urging them to immediately cancel the speaking invitation “in order to restore fidelity to the College’s Catholic mission, obedience to your bishop and public trust in your commitment to not lead astray the College’s students, your employees and the general public.”

CNS has also written Buffalo Bishop Kmiec suggesting “immediate action to prevent scandal in the Diocese of Buffalo.” CNS asked Bishop Kmiec to consider advising the College privately to withdraw Clinton’s invitation, but also cautioned against waiting “until it is too late to inform the public that the invitation is in direct conflict with the U.S. bishops’ statement and the Church’s expectations for Catholic colleges, as presented in the 1990 apostolic constitution for Catholic higher education, Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

In June 2004 by a near-unanimous vote, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the statement “Catholics in Political Life” including the following mandate:

“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

In December 2003, CNS wrote a letter to all the U.S. bishops urging them to consider diocesan policies banning inappropriate speakers and honorees at Catholic institutions.

“While sanctions against pro-abortion politicians are welcome, we urge you to implement diocesan policies that forbid all public advocates of legal abortion—regardless of whether they are Catholics or politicians—from speaking at Catholic facilities or receiving Catholic honors,” CNS wrote to the bishops on December 9, 2003.

Reilly points to precedent for such action. Three historically Catholic colleges have been declared no longer Catholic by their local bishops since Ex Corde Ecclesiae was issued in 1990. They include NazarethCollege and St. JohnFisherCollege, both in Rochester, New York, and MaristCollege in Poughkeepsie, New York. The latter college was singled out by CNS in 2003 for inviting pro-abortion New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer to deliver a commencement address. Cardinal Egan, already well aware of Marist’s long path of secularization, resolved the issue definitively by declaring Marist “no longer Catholic.”

St. Lawrence University can be contacted by emailing Lisa M. Cania at lcania@ stlawu.edu

The Buffalo Catholic Diocese can be emailed at: dob@ buffalodiocese.org

*For more information about Cardinal Newman Society and updates on Catholic college commencement speakers and honorees, see www.cardinalnewmansociety.org. *
 
St Lawrence University is NOT a Catholic University, nor was it ever, to my knowledge, associated with the Catholic church. SLU is located in Canton, NY, which is the county seat of St Lawrence County, the largest county geographically in New York State.
 
Canton, NY is located in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. The previous ordinary was Paul LoVerde, now bishop of Arlington, VA.
 
lifenews.com/state1027.html

Here’s another Story about Loyola University in New Orleans. Loyola in Chicago did the same thing not too long ago by honoring our pro-choice attorney general Lisa Madigan with an award. I wrote them, and they said, she has done so much by way of addressing child abuse in our country, and my response was abortion is the greatest form of child abuse and Loyola has definitely strayed from his stated & published mission of the school. It certainly does not uphold the values and beliefs spoken by St.Ignatius of Loyola. Why do they call themselves Catholic is beyond me!
 
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MisterMagister:
St Lawrence University is NOT a Catholic University, nor was it ever, to my knowledge, associated with the Catholic church. SLU is located in Canton, NY, which is the county seat of St Lawrence County, the largest county geographically in New York State.
Click to expand...
Correct! SLU was founded in 1856 by the Universalist Church. It was the first co-educational college in New York.

Why is the bishop upset about what they do?
 
COLLEGE OF ST. CATHERINE TO HOST DRAG SHOW

The radical feminist professor of a course on lesbian literature at the
College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, is sponsoring a “Drag
Show” on campus this evening, May 12. This is the third year that the
event featuring lesbian themes and sexuality will occur on the Catholic
campus. The event is co-sponsored by a group called PRIDE and the student
government, with funding from the St. Kate’s Activities Team.

Announcements of the event identify the main sponsor as “Lesbian Texts in
Context,” an English and Women’s Studies course taught by the chair of the
English Department, Cecilia Konchar Farr. In Farr’s syllabus for the
course, which requires reading homosexual-themed books including Oranges
Aren’t the Only Fruit and The Dyke and the Dybbuk, she informs students
that the course “may appear to more political to you than others.
…Please be assured that your views… will not affect your grade (except
when they are poorly articulated).” The spring semester course ends with
a “Queer Graduation Party” held on May 10 and a “Final Exam: Queer Coffee”
on May 17.

The recipient of a 1992 National Organization for Women “Women of
Courageous Action” award, Farr received national attention in 1993 when
she was dismissed from the faculty of Brigham Young University, a Mormon
institution. Although herself a Mormon, Farr provoked the ire of Brigham
Young officials by advocating abortion rights and other tenets of radical
feminism. She spoke at a 1992 abortion rights rally in Salt Lake City,
Utah, identifying herself as a faithful but “pro-choice” Mormon, and later
published her speech.

CONTACT: Sr. Andrea Lee, IHM, President, College of St. Catherine, 2004
Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105; Phone: (651) 690-6525; E-mail:
ajlee@stkate.edu
 
Since the Vatican is going to audit the seminaries in the US, maybe they sould create another commission to do the “Catholic” colleges. It would also be a good way to bring wayward Religious Orders (which run most of the “Catholic” colleges) back in line.

PF
 
Reply to letter sent protesting pro-death commencement speaker.

May 17, 2005 To whom it may concern:

You were one of the parties who objected to the presence of Amory Houghton, Jr. on our campus and his reception of an honorary degree from St. Bonaventure. I am sending this statement which we prepared to respond to your concerns. I realize that our rationale may not satisfy your personal conviction about this action. I do hope that you will understand that we made this recognition after serious reflection.

We believe that we can and must find ways to engage with those who do not hold the totality of our moral positions, but who nonetheless promote values and choices that have a positive impact upon our society. A university differs significantly from other parochial or diocesan entities in that it is bound to promote constructive dialogue between opposing views and is bound to provide a climate of academic freedom in its internal and external relations.

Our efforts to reinforce Catholic and Franciscan identity and values continues. and our commencement exercises were marked by special events honoring students entering religious life and voluntary service to the poor. Our baccalaureate Mass and Franciscan community blessing was a highpoint for all. Local newspapers stressed this in their reporting and photos.****
STATEMENT BY SR. MARGARET CARNEY

REGARDING AMORY HOUGHTON’S AWARD

St. Bonaventure University presented an honorary doctorate to Amory Houghton at commencement on May 15th. The intent was to honor his service to Western New York as a congressional representative who provided many social and economic benefits to his region. He deserves special recognition for his leadership of the Faith and Politics Network and his role in addressing the need for civility and respect between political adversaries. Mr. Houghton is an Episcopalian with close ties to his church. He currently works with Bishop Shaw of Boston as an intern. He has given substantial assistance to St. Bonaventure University during his tenure in Congress.

The Cardinal Newman Society sent letters of protest to to the university President’s office and to Bishop Kmiec of Buffalo. The same letter was sent to Mr. Houghton.

Several persons who are stranger to the university wrote or sent e-mails. A number of alumni and friends objected as well. We do not minimize the concerns of these persons and that it the reason for this communication.

Throughout his public career, Mr. Houghton embraced the challenge of reconciling differences through respectful dialogue. Such action, along with his significant help to the university in achieving governmental support for future science education, motivated us to honor him. Our policy forbids recognition of politicians holding elected office. However, Mr. Houghton recently retired from Congress. Our focus in the citations read publicly was on his work as a Christian dedicated to respect, civility, development of porr nations (African in particular) and his reluctance to authorize armed intervention in Iraq.

In choosing to honor Mr. Houghton, we do not ignore the important differences in our positions in regard to legalized abortion. President Carney discussed this point with Mr. Houghton. However, as an institution functioning in a diverse society that is increasingly polarized on political, cultural and religious grounds, we are determined to find ways to be instruments of peace through deliberate and constructive dialogue.

It is essential, as a Franciscan Catholic institution of higher education in the 21st Century, to prepare our students to be effective leaders in society by helping them to engage in meaningful dialogue with persons of differing opinions on controversial moral, spiritual, and political issues. St. Bonaventure University offers this kind of life preparation to our students. We best serve our students when we insist upon their adult participation in the most difficult ethical questions of our times. We welcome this challenge.

Sent by :
Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D.

President

St. Bonaventure University
 
The question is: where are the alumni when you need them? Who else will put up a stink about a good Catholic college going bad if the alumni will not step up to the plate and rescue their Alma Mater?
 
UPDATE: ST. ELIZABETH COLLEGE PRESIDENT TOLD BOEHLERT HE COULD NOT SPEAK
AT COMMENCEMENT

Last Thursday, “Catholic Higher Education Alert” reported that Rep.
Sherwood Boehlert had voluntarily turned down an invitation to deliver the
commencement address at St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, New
York, which occurred on Saturday, May 21. We noted that Bishop James
Moynihan of the Diocese of Syracuse opposed the invitation to Boehlert,
and the invitation violated a diocesan ban on such speakers at Catholic
institutions.

Sister Marianne Monahan, MS, president of the college, has contacted the
Cardinal Newman Society to clarify a few points that were not clear in our
report or in articles published by local newspapers and the Associated
Press. According to Sr. Monahan, she did, in fact, take action in
response to the Bishop’s concerns by informing Boehlert that he could not
speak at the commencement ceremony.

Sr. Monahan writes that it was she who contacted Bishop Moynihan to ask if
it was appropriate to have Boehlert as a speaker. She did so only after
the college had already invited Boehlert to speak without regard for his
pro-abortion voting record, and after the college came under protest.
When informed of the diocesan policy against “pro-choice" politicians
speaking at Catholic institutions, she “immediately” called Boehlert “and
informed him that he would not be able to speak at the graduation. At
this time he graciously withdrew his acceptance to be the speaker, and we
made arrangements for another speaker. At no point during this process
did the College go against the Bishop once we were made aware of the
policy.”

It stands to reason that either the college disinvited Boehlert, or he
voluntarily withdrew as commencement speaker. But Sr. Monahan’s choice of
words is confusing, suggesting that both happened. Asked in a follow-up
letter to clarify whether she “disinvited” Boehlert, Sr. Monahan responds:
“When I contacted the Bishop and was notified that the Congressman could
not speak, I called Congressman Boehlert and informed him that he would
not be able to be our graduation speaker. During the conversation he said
that he was withdrawing his acceptance. His withdrawal came after I
informed him that he was not to be the speaker.”

Media articles, relying on Boehlert’s spokesman, have reported that
Boehlert had made the decision alone in order to avoid protests, not in
deference to Bishop Moynihan. Until now, Sr. Monahan’s role has not been
disclosed.

Although Sr. Monahan claims that she was unaware of the diocesan policy
against honors to pro-abortion politicians prior to contacting Bishop
Moynihan’s office, the Diocese of Syracuse says the November 2003 policy
was mailed to all clergy, religious and lay leaders in the diocese.
Danielle Cummings, Director of Communications, acknowledged that the
diocese cannot control who reads their mail. The College also ignored the
bishops’ national ban on publicly dissident speakers that was approved
last June with widespread media coverage.

** We encourage letters to St. Monahan congratulating her for her role in
causing Congressman Boehlert to withdraw as commencement speaker. **
Although the fact that the invitation was issued in the first place
remains a concern, Sr. Monahan’s action to correct the mistake at the
urging of Bishop Moynihan was praiseworthy – and an excellent example for
the presidents of 18 Catholic colleges and universities who have allowed
their commencement plans to go forward in direct violation of the U.S.
bishops’ ban on honors to individuals who publicly oppose fundamental
Catholic teachings.

CONTACT: Sr. Marianne Monahan, MS, Dean, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing,
2215 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13501; Phone: (315) 798-8253; E-Mail:
mmonahan@stemc.org
 
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katiejean984:
The question is: where are the alumni when you need them? Who else will put up a stink about a good Catholic college going bad if the alumni will not step up to the plate and rescue their Alma Mater?
Click to expand...
On the sub-forum “ecclesia mundi” another thread was started by Contemplative with the heading “Catholic Colleges defy bishops with graduation honors” If you go there you will see that I indeed did write to my college president and he answered me by saying that Marquette was in full conformity with authentic Catholic teaching when they invited Cokie Roberts to deliver the commencement speech. (whatever that means???)
 
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