Posted on 03/25/2004 9:57:24 PM PST by Coleus
We're looking for your action on a number of urgent issues! On the heels of a successful protest of "The Vagina Monologues" on Catholic campuses, your e-mails, letters and phone calls to Catholic colleges can have a tremendous impact. As always, please be courteous and respectful in your correspondence.
EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Catholic Youth and Homosexuality Conference
* 'Monologues' Campaign a Success
CATHOLIC CAMPUS NEWS
* Archbishop Keleher Bans Pro-Abortion Speakers
* Seton Hall Waffles on Homosexual Club, Student Sues
* Notre Dame (IN) Rejects Gay-Straight Club
* Georgetown Researchers Use Aborted Fetal Tissue
* Women's Ordination Advocate at Gonzaga
* Hillary Clinton Featured at St. Bonaventure Event
* ACLU Chapter Seeks Villanova Approval
* Jesse Jackson Promotes Same-Sex Marriage at Holy Cross (MA)
* Barry Honors Chris Matthews
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[Announcement]
CATHOLIC YOUTH AND HOMOSEXUALITY CONFERENCE
Courage, a faithful Catholic ministry to homosexuals, will present "By Brother's Keeper IV: Catholic Youth and Homosexuality," a conference for college chaplains, teachers, priests, youth ministers, and parents on May 15 in Queens, New York. For information, see http://couragerc.net/MBK%20IV.htm.
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[Announcement]
'MONOLOGUES' CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS
Cardinal Newman Society has placed full-page advertisements in USA Today, the national edition of The Washington Times, and the National Catholic Register as part of a nationwide protest of "The Vagina Monologues," a vulgar and sexually explicit play that has been performed or is planned for at least 28 Catholic campuses in February, March and April. The ads call on readers to contact the presidents of these colleges and protest the play.
The USA Today ad, which was published on February 17, can be viewed at www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/pdf/vmad.pdf.
The list of planned performances announced by V-Day, the national group that has licensed campus productions at more than 500 schools this year, includes prominent institutions like Boston College (MA), DePaul University (IL), Georgetown University (DC), the College of the Holy Cross (MA), Loyola University of Chicago (IL), and the University of Notre Dame (IN).
The campaign has had an impact. Plans for productions announced by V-Day have been canceled at 17 Catholic colleges and universities, several prompted by letters, phone calls and e-mails urging administrators to ban "The Vagina Monologues." Cardinal Newman Society praised college officials who interceded and banned the play at the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC), Loyola University of New Orleans (LA), St.
John's University (Jamaica, NY), St. Joseph's College (Rensselaer, IN), the University of Portland (OR), the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL), and Wheeling Jesuit University (WV).
Several colleges have indicated that they have been flooded with e-mails, phone calls and letters. For instance, a campus newspaper at John Carroll University (OH) reported that university president Rev. Edward Glynn had received more than 1,000 e-mails. Sr. Mary Ann Flannery, Communications Department chairwoman and organizer of "The Vagina Monologues," called Cardinal Newman Society the "Catholic police," compared the Society to the Taliban, and accused us of "harassment and terrorist tactics." But in response to the Society's concerns that proceeds from the John Carroll University performance were promised to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, a member organization of the pro-abortion Freedom of Choice Cleveland Coalition, the university redirected the funds to a charity in Mexico. (See http://carrollnewsonline.com/files.php?id=491.)
At least one bishop was motivated to publicly criticize the performances. Bishop John D'Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, wrote in a public statement published in the diocesan newspaper: "'The Vagina Monologues' is offensive to women; it is antithetical to Catholic teaching on the beautiful gift of human sexuality and also to the teachings of the Church on the human body relative to its purpose and to its status as a temple of the Holy Spirit. ...The consistency which one looks for, and so often finds at [the University of] Notre Dame, is sorely missing in the decision to present this play."
Writing in the University of Notre Dame campus newspaper, The Observer, Law Professor emeritus Charles Rice called on "all the responsible administrators, from the top down, [to] resign their administrative positions." Students and staff from Notre Dame's campus ministries and pro-life club were in prayerful protest during the campus performance. Students also protested the performance at Loyola Marymount University (CA).
Cardinal Newman Society's campaign was covered in major news publications including USA Today, the Baltimore Sun, the Chronicle of Higher Education and the National Catholic Register.
"The Vagina Monologues" presents women discussing their sexuality and sexual encounters, replete with vulgarity, explicit language, and graphic descriptions of lesbian activity and masturbation. One scene describes
the seduction of a sexually inexperienced 16-year-old girl by a 24-year-old lesbian, who first intoxicates the girl with vodka. Instead of presenting the incident as sexual abuse that would be illegal in many states, the play declares it the girl's "surprising, unexpected and politically correct salvation."
Although most of the productions are organized by students, several are sponsored or co-sponsored by faculty in a wide range of academic departments including Communications, English, Political Science, Social Work, Theater and Women's Studies. At Nazareth College (NY), the play was co-sponsored by Campus Ministry. Student attendance at the performance at Stonehill College (MA) was counted toward "merit points" used to assign campus housing the following year.
Proceeds from the event at St. John Fisher College (NY) were given to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the U.S., for its rape crisis center.
CONTACT: For a list of colleges hosting "The Vagina Monologues" and
contact information, see www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/monologues_04.htm.
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[Catholic Campus News]
ARCHBISHOP KELEHER BANS PRO-ABORTION SPEAKERS
Archbishop James Keleher of Kansas City, Kansas, has urged all Catholic institutions in his diocese to stop hosting pro-abortion politicians and abortion advocates as speakers or special guests at public events. Although other dioceses have banned pro-abortion speakers on Church property, Keleher's action is significant because it affects Catholic colleges and other institutions that are Catholic but not owned by the Church.
"It is imperative that our Catholic churches, schools and institutions make every effort not only to support the pro-life movement, but especially to ensure that the public understand our unequivocal stand on this issue," Keleher wrote. The statement was made in response to a campus lecture by pro-abortion Gov. Kathleen Sebelius at the University of St. Mary (KS) on February 12.
CONTACT: Sr. Diane Steele, President, University of St. Mary, 4100 S. 4th
St., Leavenworth, KS 66048; (913) 758-6102; steeled@stmary.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
SETON HALL WAFFLES ON HOMOSEXUAL CLUB, STUDENT SUES
Seton Hall University (NJ) has denied official recognition for TRUTH, described as a support group for homosexual, bisexual and transgender students. But the university has offered a "memorandum of understanding" that would allow the club to operate on campus, apply for student affairs funding, and host educational programs. It could not host social events or religious activities.
"No organization based solely upon sexual orientation may receive formal university recognition," announced Laura Wankel, vice president for student affairs.
TRUTH leader Anthony Romeo rejected the offer for "special standing" and has filed a discrimination lawsuit against Seton Hall.
CONTACT: Rev. Msgr. Robert Sheeran, President, Seton Hall University, 400
S. Orange Ave., S. Orange, NJ 07079; (973) 761-9620; sheeraro@shu.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
NOTRE DAME (IN) REJECTS GAY-STRAIGHT CLUB
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has denied official recognition to Unity in Diversity, described as a gay-straight student club to create a welcoming atmosphere for homosexual students. "We prefer that students
walk with faculty, administrators and ministers in dealing with these issues," Student Activities director Brian Coughlin told a campus newspaper. In response, students and employees donned bright orange t-shirts proclaiming, "Gay? Fine by me."
But the same logic wasn't applied to a Queer Film Festival held on campus from February 11 through February 14. The films shown in Hesburgh Library condoned homosexual activity and failed to present homosexuality according to Catholic moral teaching.
Also on Valentine's Day, Notre Dame hosted the play, "The VaginaMonololgues," which includes strong lesbian themes.
CONTACT: Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., President, University of Notre
Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556; (574) 631-3903; malloy.5@nd.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
GEORGETOWN RESEARCHERS USE ABORTED FETAL TISSUE
Georgetown University (DC) officials and Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C., have confirmed that 14 researchers at Georgetown's Medical Center are experimenting on cells derived from aborted fetal
tissue. The cells -- not stem cells but lung and kidney cells -- were developed 25 to 40 years ago by multiplying cells derived from aborted fetuses.
Georgetown ethicists, Cardinal McCarrick, and noted Catholic bioethicist John Haas have found no wrongdoing, because Georgetown was unaware of the cells' origins when the research began, the cells are developed but not taken directly from fetuses, the abortions were not performed for the purpose of harvesting tissue for research, and the Church historically has distinguished between the morality of research on individual cells (which in themselves are not labeled human "tissue") and human organs or tissue. But Rev. Joseph Howard, director of the American Bioethics Advisory Commission, an affiliate of the American Life League, nevertheless argues that the research violates the U.S. bishops' directives for Catholic health care services, which forbid "use of human tissue obtained by direct abortions even for research and therapeutic purposes."
Acknowledging respected opinions that the research may be ethical, it is Cardinal Newman Society's position that the research nonetheless has the appearance of endorsing commercial efforts to derive cells and tissue from
aborted fetuses for experimentation -- a violation of Catholic teaching -- and ought to cease, sending a clear message about the Church's respect for human life in the midst of an important debate over stem-cell research.
At a minimum, Georgetown should pledge to discontinue further use of the cells after the current research is completed.
CONTACT: Dr. John DeGioia, President, Georgetown University, 37th & O Sts.
NW, Washington, DC 20057; (202) 687-4134; president@georgetown.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
WOMEN'S ORDINATION ADVOCATE AT GONZAGA
On March 25, a vocal advocate for women's ordination delivered the annual Flannery Lecture at Gonzaga University (WA), sponsored by the Religious Studies Department. Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, is a theology professor at Fordham University (NY).
In 1996, as president of the Catholic Theological Society of America, Johnson convened a commission to "study" the issue of women's ordination following Pope John Paul II's declaration that the all-male priesthood
could not be changed. The commission's final report, in the words of Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, "raise[d] questions about the authority of this teaching. ...For members of the CTSA to revisit this teaching at such a late date, when so many other urgent issues face the Church, is more than just disappointing. It will not solve the vocations problem. It creates unnecessary and belated confusion. And it raises questions about the CTSA's continuing usefulness for the life of the Church."
In a 1996 article in Commonweal, Johnson rebutted the Holy Father's arguments against women's ordination, claiming "Jesus never ordained anyone" and the sacrament of holy orders is equivalent to other Church
traditions that have changed over time.
CONTACT: Rev. Robert Spitzer, S.J., President, Gonzaga University, 502
East Boone, Spokane, WA 99258; (509) 328-4220; president@gonzaga.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
HILLARY CLINTON FEATURED AT ST. BONAVENTURE EVENT
On March 25 in Washington, D.C., St. Bonaventure University (NY) presented the first national Gaudete Medal to Don Aldo Brunacci, who rescued Italian Jews during the Nazi Holocaust. Invitations to the ceremony listed "special guests" Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Charles Schumer, both advocates of abortion rights with pro-abortion voting records. Ironically, the event was held at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where one cannot help but notice the parallels between the Nazi Holocaust and the American slaughter of preborn children.
CONTACT: Rev. Dominic Monti, O.F.M., President, St. Bonaventure
University, Hopkins Hall, Rm. 203, St. Bonaventure, NY 14778; (716)
375-2222; dmonti@sbu.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
ACLU CHAPTER SEEKS VILLANOVA APPROVAL
The Villanova, a campus newspaper at Villanova University (PA), reports that students are reestablishing the Villanova Civil Liberties Union (VCLU), which has been defunct for six years. The VCLU has applied to the
Office of Student Development for official club status. VCLU will be affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which advocates abortion rights and special homosexual rights.
CONTACT: Rev. Edmund Dobbin, O.S.A., President, Villanova University, 800
Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085; (610) 519-4511;
edmund.dobbin@villanova.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
JESSE JACKSON PROMOTES SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AT HOLY CROSS (MA)
On February 16, Rev. Jesse Jackson made headlines by announcing his support for homosexual "marriage" at the College of the Holy Cross (MA). The lecture by the pro-abortion politician and activist was sponsored by
the Black Student Union.
CONTACT: Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J., President, College of the Holy
Cross, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610; (508) 793-2011;
mmcfarla@holycross.edu
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[Catholic Campus News]
BARRY HONORS CHRIS MATTHEWS
On March 8, Barry University (FL) presented the David Brinkley Award for Excellence in Communication to political commentator Chris Matthews. The host of MSNBC's "Hardball" has publicly advocated abortion rights during
his television appearances and in newspaper columns. While claiming to dislike abortion, he has declared himself "pro-choice", opposed attempts to criminalize abortion, endorsed "keeping abortion constitutionally
protected", and expressed sympathy for supporters of partial-birth abortion in cases of severely handicapped babies.
CONTACT: Sr. Jeanne O'Laughlin, O.P., President, Barry University, 11300
N.E. 2nd Ave., Miami Shores, FL 33161; (305) 899-3000.
"Catholic Higher Education Alert" is a free service of the Cardinal Newman Society to supplement the Society's quarterly newsletter, "MISSION". To receive "MISSION" and other mailings from the Cardinal Newman Society, send a donation of $25 or more to the address below.
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Phone (703) 367-0333
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http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org
The Cardinal Newman Society is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization listed in the Official Catholic Directory. Donations are tax-deductible.
Freep Catholic Colleges Who Invite Pro-Aborts to Speak
Catholic Higher Ed. Alert, Vagina Monologues, Homosexuality Clubs
Catholic Colleges Honor Those who Condone: Abortion, Homosexuality and Cloning
Georgetown not acting in accordance with Church doctrine - American Bioethics Advisory Commission
NCBC: “Cell-Line Research at Georgetown” with Response from CoGForLife.org
Take your bigotry elsewhere.
If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.
St. John Fisher was the only English bishop to remain loyal to the Pope and the faith when Henry VIII apostasized. He must be sighing in Paradise to see what is being done at his eponymous college.
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