Help! If you work at a Catholic school, how would you handle this?

[stellina]

I guess this is related to my other post on the apologetics forum about working at a Catholic university where a lot of people vocally criticize the Church. My job involves advising student groups & helping them plan events, & the faculty (supposedly with the approval of the president of the university) voted to allow a group that states social justice & advocacy as its chief purpose, but in its public “mission statement” lists promotion of abortion rights & gay rights among its objectives. Therefore, I could very well be in a position where I have to help them organize & publicize a pro-abortion rally, etc. and it’s really bothering me.

I also asked the advice of a senior colleague, also a practicing Catholic, about what do to given this still hypothetical situation, and he basically told me to keep quiet & do my job since those in authority made the decision. Several other unrelated things have been happening lately that have made me decide to leave here, but right now I’m committed for another school year & I need my paycheck. Short of standing in the unemployment line, what can I do? Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

 

[mlchance]

stellina:

I guess this is related to my other post on the apologetics forum about working at a Catholic university where a lot of people vocally criticize the Church. My job involves advising student groups & helping them plan events, & the faculty (supposedly with the approval of the president of the university) voted to allow a group that states social justice & advocacy as its chief purpose, but in its public “mission statement” lists promotion of abortion rights & gay rights among its objectives. Therefore, I could very well be in a position where I have to help them organize & publicize a pro-abortion rally, etc. and it’s really bothering me.

Hello again!

You don’t have to do anything. You always have the choice to refuse to cooperate in activities that are (according to Church teaching) absolutely inappropriate for a Catholic university to engage in (i.e., a pro-abortion rally).

For example:

Boss: “Stellina, next month we’re having a pro-abortion rally. You’re responsible for arrangements needed by the speaker from Planned Parenthood.”

Stellina: “Sorry, but such activities are contrary to Church teaching. I refuse to participate. In fact, I’ll be notifying the bishop about the rally and your request as soon as I get home tonight.”



– Mark L. Chance.

 

[felra]

My job involves …Therefore, I could very well be in a position where I have to help them organize & publicize a pro-abortion rally, etc. and it’s really bothering me.

This is your Catholic conscience speaking to you, listen to it.

I also asked the advice of a … practicing Catholic… he basically told me to keep quiet & do my job since …

Here is an example of a"faithful" Catholic denied his Catholic conscience.

I need my paycheck

Is this the crux of the matter? How much is one’s soul worth?

Short of standing in the unemployment line, what can I do?

Bring a sandwich and a good novel to make the wait less bearable.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

For anyone who chooses to become a disciple of Christ, this is the norm for living, not the exception, whether closely or remotely resembling in context. Sounds like your faith and allegiance to Christ is being tested.

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8: 34-38)

 

[stellina]

Thanks again, Mark! Since you mentioned the local bishop (who has had some run-ins with this place on some other matters), perhaps you would know - does the bishop of a diocese where a Catholic college happens to be have any authority over these matters? The school is run by an order, not the diocese, but the administration has been totally lay for the past 15 years or so.

If the bishop does indeed have that authority, maybe I should try & talk to him sooner rather than later…

 

[gardenswithkids]

stellina:

If the bishop does indeed have that authority, maybe I should try & talk to him sooner rather than later…

I don’t know the answer to your question, but someone in the Church has authority over them, even if it’s not your bishop. I encourage you to find out who does and to pursue this.

If the situation arises that you are asked to promote something against Church teachings, remind yourself you only planned to stay for another year so you’re not risking much by refusing.

Thank you for trying to help keep (or get) Catholic colleges to be Catholic.

 

[timmyo]

I’m pretty sure they have authority over them. I’ve heard of some cases recently where Bishops have gotten invloved where schools were going against the church. It can’t hurt to contact him, you have nothing to lose. I would definitely recuse yourself from working with this group in any way. A decent boss will understand. Just to be safe though, start looking for other jobs to fall back on if things go sour at your current job. I applaud you for your courage!

 

[mosher]

Any institution that reports itself to be Catholic is under the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary (usually Bishop). Even in cases of autonomy such as a Benedictine Abbey in a Diocese the Local Bishop has the “right of vigilance” to ensure that in any public event where his parishoners may be that authentic catholic doctrine is taught. In the case of a University/College the local Bishop is usually the Chancellor if only in name and even if he does not he still has the right of vigilance. Also, american law allows for canon law in these matters to be followed.

 

[mlchance]

mosher:

Any institution that reports itself to be Catholic is under the jurisdiction of the local Ordinary (usually Bishop).

This is my understanding as well.

And, as has been pointed out, even if the bishop doesn’t have that authority, someone in the Church outside the university does. Pope John Paul II bandied no words in saying that Catholic institutions must be authentically Catholic.

– Mark L. Chance.