Posted on 03/21/2002 12:23:16 AM PST by kattracks
NEW ORLEANS, Mar 21, 2002 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Kim Gandy's return to her alma mater might not be noteworthy except for two things: Gandy is the president of the National Organization for Women, and her alma mater is Loyola University.
Gandy's arrival for several days of appearances at the Roman Catholic school has triggered sharp criticism from religious leaders, a conservative congressman and a $1 million donor.
About 50 protesters gathered outside the Loyola auditorium Wednesday, some holding signs saying the university was supporting abortion by allowing Gandy to speak. Inside, law school officials presented Gandy with a public service award.
"Loyola showed true courage by allowing me to speak in the face of such political and financial pressure," Gandy said at a news conference before the address.
Gandy only briefly discussed abortion during her speech, telling those in attendance that if too many conservative federal judges were appointed, their rulings would weaken laws protecting the environment, civil rights, and women's reproductive rights, particularly abortion.
Gandy's visit was opposed by local real estate developer Joe Canizaro, who has pledged $1 million to Loyola, and her arrival in New Orleans coincided with a two-column ad placed in The Times-Picayune by the local chapter of Priests for Life, which accused Loyola of "fostering a culture of death" by inviting the NOW leader.
It was among the latest condemnations of Loyola since the city's Catholic archbishop, Alfred Hughes, said he was upset Gandy was bringing a "pro-abortion agenda" to a local Catholic university.
Rep. John Cooksey also took part in the Loyola bashing, issuing a statement saying he condemned whoever allowed her to speak at the university. He noted that a 1999 NOW resolution called for the Vatican to be thrown out of the United Nations. Gandy became NOW president in August.
Cooksey intends to run against Sen. Mary Landrieu for her seat when it comes up for election in November. Landrieu was supported by NOW in her first campaign.
Isabel Medina, a law school professor, said Gandy's appearance should not be interpreted as a university-wide endorsement of her agenda. Universities have a responsibility to expose those in their community to a variety of views, Medina said.
Members of the law faculty and the university's Women's Resource Center see Gandy as an accomplished Loyola graduate who works for women and children, Medina added.
Gandy, a north Louisiana native who graduated from Loyola law school in 1978 and worked in New Orleans for a decade, said she was surprised by the uproar her visit has caused.
"I speak at law schools and universities all over the country ... and have literally never received a reception like this," Gandy said at the news conference.
None of the anti-abortion protesters gathered outside the auditorium identified themselves as Loyola students. Most appeared to be adult activists, a number of whom brought their children.
"If this were a debate, where we could sit around a table and discuss both sides of the issue, it would be great," said one of the protesters, Jim Garcia, 32. "But a Catholic school should not be giving someone who has fought against life, especially on abortion, an open forum."
Outside, several law students gawked at the protesters.
"Fanatics all have the same problem: their fanaticism creates an environment that's not very conducive to resolution of problems," said Matthew Kinney, 26, a second-year law student.
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By BRETT MARTEL Associated Press Writer
Copyright 2002 Associated Press, All rights reserved
As opposed to moderates like Ms. Gandy, I guess. Now there's a problem-solver for you!
There are, of course, a handful of actually Catholic colleges remaining, almost all of them created in the last thirty years: Christendom; St. Thomas Aquinas; St. Thomas More; Magdalen; the new Campion Junior College in San Francisco of all places, etc.
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