Gonzaga University will cover contraception but promises to clearly communicate Church teaching

[_Abyssinia]

ignatiusinsight.com/features2011/ecunningham_gonzaga_mar2011.asp

Is Gonzaga still a Jesuit, Catholic university? The ruminations of a bewildered witness | Dr. Eric Cunningham, Department of History, Gonzaga University

During my seven-and-a-half years as a faculty member at Gonzaga, I have participated in numerous campus conversations on Catholic mission and identity, and I have always taken what I think is a strong and outspokenly pro-Church position…. I have often found myself at odds with 1) Catholic colleagues who don’t share “my opinion” of what Catholic means, 2) non-Catholic colleagues who are generally indifferent to the question, and find all of the “mission” talk something of an irritation, and 3) the occasional student who doesn’t appreciate—to quote one anonymous respondent on a recent instructor evaluation—”having religion shoved down my throat.” As frustrating as it’s been to try to defend a mainstream Catholic worldview at Gonzaga, particularly when my opponents have so often been Jesuit priests, my career as a reluctant culture warrior has provided me with great opportunities for personal growth. I have learned the meaning of William Blake’s assertion that “a fool who persists in his folly will become wise.” The wisdom I have attained is the full awareness of the folly of feverishly trying to shore up Catholic culture at a campus that will probably soon either abandon, or be forced by circumstances to drop its Catholic identity

…

At present Gonzaga has only two full-time Jesuit professors under the age of sixty, and the American Society of Jesus is not replacing its retired priests with new vocations. This deficit has been looming since the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), and has, in a sense, been prepared for. As any Jesuit will tell you, it has long been the goal of the Oregon province, and the Society as a whole, to transfer an increasing share of the administration of its various apostolates to the laity. While this is a good and probably necessary expedient, it begs at least two questions, 1) which members of the laity are going to be given the task of administering the apostolates?, and 2) how are they going to do it?

As a concerned lay companion in a vital Jesuit ministry, I think it would be helpful to see the establishment of a real lay formation program, so that those of us who have come to love the Jesuit Catholic tradition, in all its dimensions, can learn how we can best serve in the apostolic work, providing of course, that it continues.

 

[JimG]

Complying with a government mandate and choosing not to close, or be subjected to fines, is not the same thing as endorsing a product. In fact, by keeping their doors open, staying under the radar, and teaching their employees the Catholic teachings regarding ABCs, they are making more of a contribution than a business entity that stubbornly closes their doors, which results in their employees losing their jobs.

This is a good teaching opportunity for Gonzaga University to spread the teachings of the Church. Business that throw their employees under the bus over this will only make people hate the Church more.

Suppose the HHS mandate required coverage of infanticide up to 3 months post-birth by all employers. Gonzaga’s position would be something like this: “We firmly oppose infanticide, and we will make Church teaching quite clear on the subject. We don’t want any of our teachers, students, or employees to practice infanticide. But this is the law, so while making Catholic teaching clear, we will provide insurance which covers the full cost of infanticide without copays.”

It starts small. It’s easier to cooperate with evil that way.

 

[Swiss_Guy]

How is this any different?

 

[meltzerboy]

I heard of somebody that attended the unviersity that said they send nursing students to Planned Parenthood and as far as they know, still do.

1. 
   *]Archbishop Desmond Tututo have a commencement speech at the university and he supports gay marriage and abortion
   
   *]Campus production of the Vagina monologues which is known for glorifing lesbianism and masturbation was allowed
   
   *]Jane Goodall spoke at the university who previously said
   
   *]New York times columnist Thomas Friedman spoke at the university has credited the 1 child Chinese policy and backs population group Population Matters that says it believes that contraception is preferable but abortion has be available and Chairman Roger Martin said
   
   *]Discussion of Homosexuality in Student Paper Omits Full Church Teaching
   
   *]Lesbian Rabbi is teaching in religious studies department
   
   *]Officials have allowed a ‘sexual awarenewss committee’ on campus
   
   *]University advertised for an LGBT coordinator
   
   Anybody who cooperates with the HHS mandate is cooperating with sin
   
   Excerpt from interview with Cardinal Raymond Burke
   
   lifenews.com/2012/04/10/catholic-cardinal-a-sin-to-cooperate-with-obama-mandate
   
   My emphases

1. 
   Impressive documentation, as always. I just have one point to make about the reference to a lesbian rabbi, and that is, I don’t think the fact she is lesbian should disqualify her as a faculty member, so long as she does not introduce lesbian politics into her religion classes. After all, the mere fact the rabbi is a woman would, for those in the Orthodox Jewish community, disqualify her standing as a rabbi, let alone her not being Orthodox. In a Catholic university, however, none of these things should be a determinant factor.
   
   Also, would you really not allow Jane Goodall to speak at the University based on her personal beliefs and statements? How far then should the screening process go?

 

[_Abyssinia]

Impressive documentation, as always. I just have one point to make about the reference to a lesbian rabbi, and that is, I don’t think the fact she is lesbian should disqualify her as a faculty member, so long as she does not introduce lesbian politics into her religion classes. After all, the mere fact the rabbi is a woman would, for those in the Orthodox Jewish community, disqualify her standing as a rabbi, let alone her not being Orthodox. In a Catholic university, however, none of these things should be a determinant factor.

Also, would you really not allow Jane Goodall to speak at the University based on her personal beliefs and statements? How far then should the screening process go?

Being a lesbian should not disqualify a person from being employed in a Catholic university but given Elizabeth Goldstein’s relationship with another woman and them raising two children I question whether it is appropriate she teach at a Catholic university

Regarding Jane Goodall, I do not believe people that espouse views that go against Catholic teaching should be given a platform in a Catholic institution to vocalise their views. If she were invited to debate a topic that is one thing, but she was not invited to debate, she was invited to give a speech and given her anti Catholic comments I do not think it is right to give her a platform

 

[_Abyssinia]

How is this any different?

I do not know about the mortality of them covering it even though they told their employees to follow Church teaching, or the specifics of Wisconsin law but the Diocese did not want to offer the policy. Gonzaga said they are compelled by the government to offer the policy but they are not, they could launch a lawsuit which Catholic dioceses, businesses, and universites have done

apnews.myway.com/article/20120203/D9SLSUPO0.html

Wisconsin’s 2009 contraception mandate did not include a religious exemption, but allowed an exception for employers who self-insure. While some dioceses in the state were able to self-insure, others couldn’t afford to do so. The Diocese of Madison, Wis., ended up offering a policy with birth-control coverage, but asked employees to follow church teaching and not use the benefit. Local bishops continued to lobby state lawmakers for an exemption. But leaders knew a national health care overhaul was in development and hoped the federal law would be an improvement, said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops

USSCB

Claim: “Over half of Americans already live in the 28 States that require insurance companies cover contraception: Several of these States like North Carolina, New York, and California have identical religious employer exemptions.Some States like Colorado, Georgia and Wisconsin have no exemption at all.”

Response: This misleads by ignoring important facts, and some of it is simply false. All the state mandates, even those without religious exemptions, may be avoided by self-insuring prescription drug coverage, by dropping that particular coverage altogether, or by taking refuge in a federal law that pre-empts any state mandates (ERISA). None of these havens is available under the federal mandate. It is also false to claim that North Carolina has an identical exemption. It is broader:It does not require a religious organization to serve primarily people of its own faith, or to fulfill the federal rule’s narrow tax code criterion.Moreover, the North Carolina law, unlike the federal mandate, completely excludes abortifacient drugs like Ella and RU-486 as well as “emergency contraceptives” like Preven.

usccb.org/news/2012/12-020.cfm

 

[meltzerboy]

Being a lesbian should not disqualify a person from being employed in a Catholic university but given Elizabeth Goldstein’s relationship with another woman and them raising two children I question whether it is appropriate she teach at a Catholic university

Regarding Jane Goodall, I do not believe people that espouse views that go against Catholic teaching should be given a platform in a Catholic institution to vocalise their views. If she were invited to debate a topic that is one thing, but she was not invited to debate, she was invited to give a speech and given her anti Catholic comments I do not think it is right to give her a platform

I assume Elizabeth Goldstein is a Reform rabbi, or possibly a Conservative rabbi, rather than an Orthodox one. In Reform Judaism, such behavior is permitted. If a Catholic university does not allow a Reform female rabbi to teach on this basis, what about other views held by rabbis of all movements, concerning contraception and abortion, for example, which are contrary to Catholic beliefs? Or the fundamental core issues of dogma in Judaism that rabbis and other Jews maintain, such as a non-Trinitarian G-d? The question arises whether ANY rabbi should be allowed to teach religious studies in a Catholic university.

 

[iloveangels]

Complying with a government mandate and choosing not to close, or be subjected to fines, is not the same thing as endorsing a product. In fact, by keeping their doors open, staying under the radar, and teaching their employees the Catholic teachings regarding ABCs, they are making more of a contribution than a business entity that stubbornly closes their doors, which results in their employees losing their jobs.

This is a good teaching opportunity for Gonzaga University to spread the teachings of the Church. Business that throw their employees under the bus over this will only make people hate the Church more.

You mean, LIE.

On the other hand, if they just admit the truth: that they’re not really a Catholic college anyway anymore, and shut down their theology department, and go secular, they can probably get away with it. It won’t make it right, but they can probably get away with it.

 

[iloveangels]

ignatiusinsight.com/features2011/ecunningham_gonzaga_mar2011.asp

Is Gonzaga still a Jesuit, Catholic university? The ruminations of a bewildered witness | Dr. Eric Cunningham, Department of History, Gonzaga University

They’re run by a lay board and have a lay president, Abyssinia. They’ve had a lay board for many years in fact. Probably part of the profit goes to the Jesuits for retirement expenses.

This is actually the situation that exists in most of these universities, hospitals and other institutions run by religious orders. The average age of religious in the US is OOOOOLD. The average age of sisters, for instance, is more than 75. Most of them don’t work in these institutions anymore and haven’t for at least a decade. Many of these things are run by lay boards and have policies very like secular universities and hospitals. The general attitude for that decade or so has been: yes, Catholic, yeah that’s it…wink. wink. This is part of the picture that most people aren’t picking up on.

There are exceptions but they’re in the minority. The big ones people think about when they think about Catholic universities & hospitals are like I’ve described above. Remember the Georgetown thing earlier this year? Remember the Obama thing at Notre Dame a few years ago? Right. This is what you were looking at.

 

[Dawnia]

Can you explain why? If you pay federal income tax at least part goes to Planned Parenthood.

There is nothing sinful about paying taxes. Once that money is taken, you as an individual have no control over those funds. Just as you no longer have control over the money you pay to stores, give to charity or give to others. You’re participation ends at the point the money leaves your hands (or bank account).

You are actively participating when you, with money you have control of, put that money towards intrinsic evils (even if the government says you have to).

Honestly wouldn’t want to have to explain to God why doing the Government’s bidding was more important than his bidding.

 

[JimG]

You mean, LIE.

On the other hand, if they just admit the truth: that they’re not really a Catholic college anyway anymore, and shut down their theology department, and go secular, they can probably get away with it. It won’t make it right, but they can probably get away with it.

You are right. There’s no point in pretending to be Catholic while caving in to the HHS mandate. Any university which caves in to the mandate should simply declare that it is no longer a Catholic university. It is not fair to mislead parents into thinking they are sending their children to a Catholic university.

 

[_Abyssinia]

They’re run by a lay board and have a lay president, Abyssinia. They’ve had a lay board for many years in fact. Probably part of the profit goes to the Jesuits for retirement expenses.

This is actually the situation that exists in most of these universities, hospitals and other institutions run by religious orders. The average age of religious in the US is OOOOOLD. The average age of sisters, for instance, is more than 75. Most of them don’t work in these institutions anymore and haven’t for at least a decade. Many of these things are run by lay boards and have policies very like secular universities and hospitals. The general attitude for that decade or so has been: yes, Catholic, yeah that’s it…wink. wink. This is part of the picture that most people aren’t picking up on.

There are exceptions but they’re in the minority. The big ones people think about when they think about Catholic universities & hospitals are like I’ve described above. Remember the Georgetown thing earlier this year? Remember the Obama thing at Notre Dame a few years ago? Right. This is what you were looking at.

Something I note consistantly is that Catholics that take differing positions to the Church on various issues like some at Gonzaga and LCWR are old. They have few if any young members. Traditionalist religious orders and parishes are thriving

 

[Swiss_Guy]

I do not know about the mortality of them covering it even though they told their employees to follow Church teaching, or the specifics of Wisconsin law but the Diocese did not want to offer the policy. Gonzaga said they are compelled by the government to offer the policy but they are not, they could launch a lawsuit which Catholic dioceses, businesses, and universites have done

apnews.myway.com/article/20120203/D9SLSUPO0.html

USSCB

usccb.org/news/2012/12-020.cfm

Thank you.

 

[iloveangels]

You are right. There’s no point in pretending to be Catholic while caving in to the HHS mandate. Any university which caves in to the mandate should simply declare that it is no longer a Catholic university. It is not fair to mislead parents into thinking they are sending their children to a Catholic university.

The Obamacare thing is just an indicator of what’s been going on anyway. I mean the behavior of these places hasn’t changed. This decision to go along with Obamacare is completely coherent with other pieces of policy and practice at some of these places.

The difficulty is this: If you have this kind of decision-making and this kind of culture at a university (or hospital, etc), how can you pretend to be upholding Catholic teaching, and how can you have a theology department that expects to be taken seriously? You can’t.

This is the issue. Obamacare has shown that some of these places are no longer Catholic institutions.

 

[jwinch2]

You are right. There’s no point in pretending to be Catholic while caving in to the HHS mandate. Any university which caves in to the mandate should simply declare that it is no longer a Catholic university. It is not fair to mislead parents into thinking they are sending their children to a Catholic university.

Agreed. However, that would require a level of intellectual honesty that does not seem readily apparent these days.

 

[AnotherVoice]

I am interested to see what Bishop Blase Cupich, Spokane dioceses, has to say. I hope that he with support of the USCCB take a firm stance in line with their pre-election statements.

 

[iloveangels]

I am interested to see what Bishop Blase Cupich, Spokane dioceses, has to say. I hope that he with support of the USCCB take a firm stance in line with their pre-election statements.

He won’t be able to do anything administratively to them. The diocese doesn’t run Gonzaga; a lay board does, and the proceeds are retirement money for the Jesuits who are mostly too old and rare to actually run the place or have much active (name removed by moderator)ut into it (compared to the past).

About the only thing he can do is make Gonzaga renounce their status as a Catholic university in public, aka their affiliation with his diocese. He may or may not have trouble bringing himself to do this, for a lot of reasons. He may perceive that it might be a loss of influence, loss of money, loss of outreach–but most of these are almost completely illusory at this point, and if he’s a wise man he will already know this. The university may lobby him a bit too, because the university may or may not perceive that there is a lot of money to be lost if they pronounce such a thing in public and in their literature.

Maybe the bishop will man up and do it. If he’s smart he’ll realize that it will only be harder when the next controversy hits, rather than easier. And that “manning up” is only recognizing what’s already happened, in any case. It’s not giving anything away. Not really. You can’t lose what you don’t have.

This is the picture we’re going to see throughout the country over the next 8 months or so.

 

[ishii]

I heard of somebody that attended the unviersity that said they send nursing students to Planned Parenthood and as far as they know, still do.

1. 
   *]Archbishop Desmond Tututo have a commencement speech at the university and he supports gay marriage and abortion
   
   *]Campus production of the Vagina monologues which is known for glorifing lesbianism and masturbation was allowed
   
   *]Jane Goodall spoke at the university who previously said
   
   *]New York times columnist Thomas Friedman spoke at the university has credited the 1 child Chinese policy and backs population group Population Matters that says it believes that contraception is preferable but abortion has be available and Chairman Roger Martin said
   
   *]Discussion of Homosexuality in Student Paper Omits Full Church Teaching
   
   *]Lesbian Rabbi is teaching in religious studies department
   
   *]Officials have allowed a ‘sexual awarenewss committee’ on campus
   
   *]University advertised for an LGBT coordinator
   
   Anybody who cooperates with the HHS mandate is cooperating with sin
   
   Excerpt from interview with Cardinal Raymond Burke
   
   lifenews.com/2012/04/10/catholic-cardinal-a-sin-to-cooperate-with-obama-mandate
   
   My emphases

1. 
   Have you looked at the faculties of some of these Catholic universities lately? They are bastions of secular leftism (with a smattering of liberation theology types thrown in). And this has been the case for years. They have sold out to left-wing ideology so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see this happening at Gonzaga. If young adults don’t enter college with a solid foundation and understanding of the faith - then they are in danger of losing it - either from the influence of the teachers or their fellow students. I have a relative who was a faithful catholic before going away to college, then on return had substituted Emily’s List and Obama for the Catholic faith.
   
   Ishii

 

[_Abyssinia]

Have you looked at the faculties of some of these Catholic universities lately? They are bastions of secular leftism (with a smattering of liberation theology types thrown in). And this has been the case for years. They have sold out to left-wing ideology so it shouldn’t be a surprise to see this happening at Gonzaga. If young adults don’t enter college with a solid foundation and understanding of the faith - then they are in danger of losing it - either from the influence of the teachers or their fellow students. I have a relative who was a faithful catholic before going away to college, then on return had substituted Emily’s List and Obama for the Catholic faith.

Ishii

Some of these Catholuc universities in my opinion need reform from the ground up or they should be revoked of their Catholic status. They need a shake up, they can not be allowed to continue as they are

 

[iloveangels]

Have you looked at the faculties of some of these Catholic universities lately? They are bastions of secular leftism (with a smattering of liberation theology types thrown in). And this has been the case for years.

Ishii

Of course, they are. They are secular institutions who are using the Catholic Church for the purpose of new student recruitment. That’s what it amounts to.

These places are usually run by lay boards, members of which may or may not be Catholic. Although many of these places were originally founded by religious congregations, the spirit of the congregation usually exists only in a remote and somewhat symbolic way without genuine Church teaching attached to it. There is usually some kind of financial agreement with the nearly-defunct religious congregation, so that they receive money for the use of the name. This money serves as retirement income for the surviving members of the congregation. Most of these people are too old to work and the congregations are in dramatic decline. Most Catholics don’t realize all this.