University in hot water with Bishop Brandt for inviting Kmiec to speak

Kmiec demonstrates just how slippery a slope you can get on by stretching Catholic teaching to fit your political ideas. The DNC removed the term "rare" from the sentence about what they would do with abortion at the insistence of Planned Parenthood. Blood money has filled their coffers for years. Kmiec is free to support whomever or whatever he wants but to distort Catholic teaching to do so is dishonest and worthy of condemnation. That he has run afoul of the Church's shepherds, the bishops, shows how far he has gone. Let's pray that he comes back to the fold soon.

University in hot water with Bishop Brandt for inviting Kmiec to speak

Greensburg, October 23 (CNA).-The U.S. presidential election is having influence in ways previously not imagined. Upon learning that Prof. Douglas Kmiec, a Catholic professor who has endorsed Barack Obama for president, was invited to speak at Seton Hill College, Bishop Lawrence Brandt issued a statement expressing his displeasure and saying that Kmiec "distorts Catholic teaching."

According to Bishop Brandt, he received word on October 21 that Seton Hill University had extended an invitation to Prof. Douglas Kmiec to speak on its campus regarding faith and politics.

Although Seton Hill is in his diocese, Bishop Brandt said that he tried "in vain to reach the President of Seton Hill, Dr. JoAnne Boyle."

Bishop Brandt took issue with inviting Kmiec because he believes that the professor "distorts Catholic teaching by making it synonymous with his own personal views."

Kmiec has made the case that it is possible for Catholics to support Barack Obama in good conscience, in spite of the senator's stance on abortion. The law professor argues that Obama's plan to reduce abortions by supporting pregnant mothers and promoting sex education is a legitimate plan that Catholics can support.

In answer to Kmiec's claim, the Bishop of Greensburg said, "There is no 'other' Catholic position except the one which appears in authentic Church documents. His misrepresentations of Catholic doctrine do a grave disservice to the Catholic community and far beyond."

Bishop Brandt also criticized the university for giving a platform to Kmiec, citing the U.S. bishops' document "Catholics in Political Life," which says that "the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles."

He further added, "I seriously question the good judgment of the University administration in allowing him a platform on campus." "Is it any wonder then that not only the demonstrators at the event, but many others as well, consider his presentation an offensive trivialization of the institution's declared Catholic identity!"

CNA was able to reach Becca Baker, the Associate Director of Media Relations for the university, who said that the university was aware of the bishop's statement. Ms. Baker said that statement would be issued, but it was not received by CNA before press time.

Santa Clara Law to Honor Pro-Abortion Clinton Chief of Staff

Note: I'll bet ol' Leon has deep pockets and can really help with this year's captial program in a down economy. Too much to resist for one of the more dissenting law schools still calling itself "Catholic".

Santa Clara Law to Honor Pro-Abortion Clinton Chief of Staff

At a celebration tomorrow evening, October 21, Santa Clara School of Law will bestow its Justice and Human Rights Award upon pro-abortion former congressman and White House chief of staff Leon Panetta, who serves on the University's board of trustees. The award will be presented at the University’s fifth annual "Diversity Gala: A Celebration of Diversity in the Legal Profession."

Leon Panetta’s terms as a US Congressman were stained by his pro-abortion voting record. He co-sponsored the dangerous Freedom of Choice Act in 1990.

During his tenure as White House Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997, Panetta defended President Bill Clinton's veto of H.R 1833, the partial-birth abortion ban.

"A leading advocate for the Culture of Death is no friend of justice or human rights," said Patrick Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society. "With so many admirable defenders of the Culture of Life in our country to select from, it is despicable that Santa Clara University has chosen to award a Catholic who is so clearly opposed to the pro-life work of the Catholic Church—even worse, to put him on their board of trustees."

Leon Panetta graduated from Santa Clara University with his B.S. in 1960 and J.D. in 1963. He continues to have strong ties to the University: he has served on the University’s Board of Trustees since 1988, teaches a political science course each year, has given lectures on ethics, delivered the keynote address for a Jesuit education conference, and acted as Master of Ceremonies for a Santa Clara fundraising event.

In a 1992 constituent letter cited by National Review Online editor Kathryn Jean Lopez (www.nationalreview.com), Panetta attributes his "pro-choice" views to a Santa Clara professor, Jesuit Father Austin Fagothey, who argued that "there should be no laws on abortion."

A similar decision by Fordham Law to honor pro-abortion Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has been met with a large outcry from hundreds of Fordham University alumni, priests, and others, who have signed a student-sponsored petition opposing the honor scheduled for October 29.

Those interested in signing the petition may still do so at www.CardinalNewmanSociety.org.

Notre Dame Law/Theology Prof Announces Support for Obama

Note: So much for Ex Corde Ecclesiae and its requirement for a teaching mandatum. Now you know why it was a key part of the requirement, to keep rogue theology professors from formulating their own theology. Subsituting one's own viewpoint for the authority of the magisterium is a good starting point for the definition of pride. Let's see where it gets her...

Notre Dame Law/Theology Prof Announces Support for Obama

Cathleen Kaveny, University of Notre Dame professor of Law and Theology and a member of Sen. Barack Obama's National Catholic Advisory Committee, is the latest Catholic college professor to make a conspicuous endorsement of pro-abortion Obama for president. In a recent article in America Magazine, Kaveny argues that the Church's language of "intrinsic evil" is not strong enough to impede Catholics from voting for pro-abortion candidates.

"This latest occurence of a Catholic professor sowing confusion among Catholics about the bishops' teaching on the sanctity of life demonstrates the lengths to which some are willing to go to get Obama elected - as well as the urgent need for reforming many of our Catholic colleges and universities," said Patrick Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society.

Catholic professors Douglas Kmiec and Nicholas Cafardi made headlines in past months also by offering their support for Obama, while maintaining that abortion is wrong.

Together with Kaveny on the Obama campaign's National Catholic Advisory Committee are Nicholas Cafardi of Duquesne University, Sister Margaret Gannon of Marywood University, Lisa Cahill of Boston College, and other professors at Catholic colleges. Last week Cahill attacked the US bishops for damaging the "rich faith tradition" of the Catholic Church by preaching that Catholics cannot vote for pro-abortion candidates because of their position on abortion.

Kaveny argues for a distinction between "intrinsically evil" and "gravely evil" acts. She proposes that since intrinsically evil acts deal with objects, not intentions, other evil actions can sometimes outweigh abortion.

Referring to the Vatican II document Gaudium et Spes, Kaveny says that the Church does not lay out a specific plan of action to apply life principles to society, rather, "the prophetic use of the term 'intrinsic evil' is meant to start an urgent discussion among people of good will about grave injustices in the world...The language of intrinsic evil does not help us here. Only the virtue of practical wisdom, enlightened by charity, can take us further."

Kaveny states: "in this fallen world, moral character alone is not enough. Political competence and other practical skills are also required. The person with the best moral character may not be the best president."

The Notre Dame professor joined Kmiec and Cafardi in a joint response to a Newsweek article published by George Weigel. They criticized McCain’s pro-life platform as merely a "brand," and argued that Obama’s policies would promote life "in actuality."

Notre Dame Tenured Theologian McBrien Blasts Bishops

My take: If you read this closely, a tenured theology professor, safe with a lifelong position on a college campus a.k.a. ivory tower, is criticizing the papacy because it is a lifelong appointment where popes can appoint whomever they choose, kind of like tenured theology professors. What courage it must have summoned to deliver this talk at a Unitarian "Church"!

Notre Dame Tenured Theologian McBrien Blasts Bishops

Father Richard McBrien, the Crowley-O'Brien Professor of Roman Catholic Theology at the University of Notre Dame, ripped into the hierarchy of the Catholic Church at a talk given at a Unitarian church in Kansas City recently. According to an article today, October 7, 2008 in the National Catholic Reporter, McBrien said Pope John Paul II's greatest failing was naming bishops.

"Father McBrien's blatant disregard and contempt for the leadership of the Catholic Church is nothing new," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "Until Notre Dame and other Catholic colleges are rid of such jaded liberal theologians, the renewal of Catholic higher education can never be complete."

During the question and answer segment of his talk, Father McBrien sharply criticized the life-long office of the Papacy, characterizing it as tyrannical. He compared the pontificate of John Paul II to an imaginary lifetime Bush presidency, where as many appointments of jurists to US courts could be made as desired.

"That's exactly what Pope John Paul II -- or any other pope for that matter -- was able to do in his long term of office, and that is why the Catholic church finds itself today...with such a dearth of pastoral leadership," said McBrien.

The Notre Dame professor added that John Paul II's greatest failing as Pope lies in the bishops he named.

"Men were appointed bishops or promoted within the hierarchy on the basis of loyalty to the Holy See rather than on the basis of pastoral aptitude, theological sophistication and leadership skills," quipped McBrien.

McBrien attacked the US Bishops, who steadfastly urge Catholics to vote pro-Life, for supposedly violating guidelines set out in USCCB documents. Such guidelines specify that the bishops do not "wish to instruct persons on how they should vote by endorsing candidates."

St. Joseph College President Concerned About "Choice"

Note: From the sound of it, this college president was not the least bit concerned that her position was a contradiction to Church teaching. I'm willing to bet that fidelity to such teaching was not a part of her application of the trustees vetting of her for the job. Until CNS contacted her, she was likely unaware that she had even done anything controversial. Such is the environment she operates in, the typical Catholic college.

St. Joseph College President Concerned About "Choice"

Manassas, Va. - In an October 9 article, the Hartford Courant reports that Pamela Trotman Reid, president of St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Conn., "sees in [Sen. Barack] Obama a kindred spirit" and is concerned about future Supreme Court decisions affecting "the right of women to make choices about their own health."

The Courant reports that Reid, who is African American, thinks that she and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama probably had similar experiences of racial bias growing up. Not only does she regard Obama as "a kindred spirit," but she also "expects so much from an Obama presidency, should he win," reports the Courant.

One such expectation appears to support abortion rights: "And the next president is likely going to make appointments to the Supreme Court," Reid told the Courant. "That could affect the right of women to make choices about their own health. These are issues of incredible importance."

Reid is concerned that Obama's message will "be lost in the deluge of sound bites," according to the Courant.

Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society, called on Reid to clarify her statements.

"It is a serious scandal when a Catholic college president appears to publicly dissent on the non-negotiable issue of abortion," wrote Reilly yesterday in a letter faxed to Reid yesterday afternoon. "The Catholic Church expects educators to be role models, upholding Catholic teaching and values."

"Out of concern for the Catholic identity of St. Joseph College and the potential that your statements will mislead Catholics and others toward support for a 'pro-choice' position, we urge you to publicly clarify your support for Church teaching on the intrinsic evil of abortion and your opposition to legalized abortion," Reilly wrote.

Reid's office told The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) that she is out of town until Tuesday and conducted the Hartford Courant interview by phone. CNS has not yet received a response to Reilly's letter.

In November 2007, the U.S. bishops issued the statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," including this warning: "A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter's intent is to support that position. In such cases a Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in grave evil."

Catholic legal scholar Douglas Kmiec and Duquesne University law professor Nicholas Cafardi have argued that Catholics can in good conscience support pro-abortion Barack Obama for president. But both claim personal opposition to abortion and have not cited Obama’s pro-abortion positions as reason to support him.

Cafardi, who declared that "we have lost the abortion battle - permanently," offered his resignation from the Board of Trustees at faithfully Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville earlier this week. Fr. Terrence Henry, TOR, president of Franciscan University, accepted the resignation.

Extreme Pro-Abortion Feminist Heather Mallick Scheduled to Speak at Catholic St. Mary's University

Note: It's really time that Bishops crack down on some of the most wayward schools that still identify themselves as Catholic in fundraising drives but deviate from Church doctrine on a regular basis. Leading young people astray is not Catholic.

Extreme Pro-Abortion Feminist Heather Mallick Scheduled to Speak at Catholic St. Mary's University
By Kathleen Gilbert

CALGARY, Alberta, October 2, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - St. Mary's University College in Calgary, a Catholic institution, has invited Heather Mallick, a virulently pro-abortion and anti-Catholic author and columnist to address students as part of their 2008-09 speaker series.

Ms. Mallick is scheduled to deliver her talk, "A Liberal Arts Education: Worth Its Weight in Gold" to St. Mary's students on January 22, 2009.

Mallick, a well-established feminist column writer, has an undisguised antipathy toward Catholic teaching and morals, particularly concerning abortion and sexuality.

In an article published last year on CBC News, Mallick railed against the Vatican's refusal to support abortion for African women, saying the Church has "no pity" for African women whom the Church thinks "don't matter as much as a clump of cells." Therefore, Mallick says, Catholics choosing to disobey the Church are "inevitable" and more rational than Church officials, whom she called "folks who don't get out much."

Mallick advocates an extremely liberal approach to sexuality. In another CBC column she celebrated abortion as the "Get out of Jail Free card" that allows men and women to engage in uninhibited sex:

"Birth control and abortion rights have been a sexual volcano for men, one of those volcanoes that never stops erupting. So much more, and better, sex has been had. Men have been having a giant fling for decades, and women, able to relax about the terror of an unwanted pregnancy, have had more and better sex too.

"Professional disapprovers ... can cross their legs and 'tsk' away in the background till they meet their maker," she added, "but the fun will go on."

Mallick is also an ardent admirer of abortionist Dr. Henry Morgentaler, with whom she has met frequently in the effort to spread abortion in Canada. Mallick has called Morgentaler "a fighter, survivor, lover of women and friend."

Most recently, Mallick made international news when she penned an article attacking Republican VP-candidate Sarah Palin, in which she said Palin's style was a "toned-down version of the porn actress look" and referred to the Republican vote as the "hick vote," amongst other incendiary statements. The article was denounced by numerous commentators for its raunchy and bitter personal attacks against Palin and her family. In the end the CBC, not known for its friendliness to conservatives, issued an apology and retracted Mallick's piece.

In December of 2007 Mallick attacked a Crisis Pregnancy Center in Ottawa in another one of her columns, with the end result that the center, "First Place," was forced to pull out of a fundraiser in order to spare the foundation that was hosting the fundraiser the negative publicity caused by Mallick's denunciations.

In their statement of educational philosophy, St. Mary's University College website says that the College in its tradition of Catholic education "values this rich heritage of academic freedom, rigorous intellectual inquiry, respect for diversity of opinion and belief, and social responsibility." It also states that "St. Mary's promotes dialogue between faith and reason so it can be seen more profoundly that faith and reason bear harmonious witness to the unity of all truth."

When LifeSiteNews.com questioned Dr. Terrence Downey, President of St. Mary's, about the choice to invite Mallick to speak at the university, he emphasized that Mallick was only invited to speak about the liberal arts, and not her views on religion or abortion. "I certainly don't agree with Heather Mallick, neither does this institution," said Downey. "This [the abortion issue] is serious business."

When LSN asked Dr. Downey if he thought inviting Mallick could give scandal, he expressed concern about the "controversial" nature of Mallick, but noted that "part of our philosophy here [at St. Mary's] is that we reach out to people who don't agree with us, don't believe in us, and let them see what a good Catholic place looks like.

"We didn't deliberately go out and get somebody who was controversial, by the way - in this case, and she is controversial enough - but you say: 'how can we best evangelize here, and do what we're doing?'"

To contact Dr. Downey:

14500 Bannister Road SE
Calgary, Alberta, T2X 1Z4
Phone: (403)254-3701
E-mail: Terry.Downey@stmu.ab.ca