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

Fordham Petition Against Honor for Baby Killing Breyer

Fordham Students Rise, Petition University President to Revoke Award Offer to Justice Breyer

Manassas, Va. - Less than two weeks after The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) broke the story that pro-abortion Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is the intended recipient of the Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize, Fordham University students are working feverishly to collect signatures petitioning President Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J. to rescind the honor. The Fordham Respect for Life club penned an open letter to Father McShane, and is now asking the general public to join them in their petition.

At the request of Respect for Life, an electronic petition has been added to The Cardinal Newman Society website. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to add their support. All names and emails submitted will be presented to Fordham President, Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J. by Respect for Life.

A month from today, on October 29, The Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize is scheduled to be bestowed upon Justice Breyer at a dinner in New York City.

In review: Justice Breyer infamously wrote the majority opinion in 2000 for Stenberg v. Carhart, which struck down state laws banning the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. The Cardinal Newman Society wrote to Father McShane five weeks ago informing him of Justice Breyer's record. No response was given. Since then many have expressed outrage at Fordham's silence.

Patrick J. Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, highlighted the deep contradiction implicit in Fordham's offer of the award to Justice Breyer. In a CNS press release from Sept. 5, Reilly cited the U.S. Bishops’ consistent opposition to pro-abortion public figures being given awards and platforms.

"If Fordham truly aspires to follow its own mission statement and be 'Guided by its Catholic and Jesuit traditions,' then it must rescind the offer of this award to Justice Breyer," said Reilly.

Student leaders from Fordham's Respect for Life club attempted several times to meet with University administrators, but their requests were met with more silence. The students needed official permission to set up tables to collect signatures for their petition. Without this green light their options have been limited.

Fordham Respect for Life and CNS are therefore appealing to everyone who shares the conviction that Fordham University must rescind the offer of the Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize to Justice Breyer to add their names to the electronic petition.

Fordham Law to Honor Justice Breyer

The article states the specific case Breyer wrote the opinion for. But his overall record is one of hostility to Catholic moral issues, natural law, and the US Consititution itself. His record is hardly one deserving of recognition for "ethics".

Fordham Law to Honor Justice Breyer Who Wrote Majority Opinion Supporting Partial-Birth Abortion

In a brash move defying the U.S Bishops' speakers policy, Fordham University's Stein Center for Law and Ethics announced that proabortion Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer is the 2008 recipient of the Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize. Breyer infamously wrote the majority opinion in Stenberg v. Carhart, which struck down state laws banning the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion.

The Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize is scheduled to be bestowed upon Justice Breyer at a dinner in New York on October 29, 2008.

Three weeks ago The Cardinal Newman Society President Patrick J. Reilly wrote to inform Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., President of Fordham University, of Justice Breyer's record. Reilly urged him to rescind the offer of the Fordham-Stein Ethics Prize to Breyer. No response was given.

"This amounts to nothing less than Fordham University thumbing its nose at the US Bishops, whose opposition to such honors is clear." said Reilly.

Earlier this year The Cardinal Newman Society led a coalition of prominent Catholic organizations and released a statement in support of the US Bishops' speakers policy. In the 2004 statement, "Catholics in Political Life," the Bishops stated: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

In the 2000 decision Stenberg v. Carhart, Supreme Court Justice Breyer wrote in the majority opinion: "this Court, in the course of a generation, has determined and then redetermined that the Constitution offers basic protection to the woman's right to choose."

In contrast, New York Archbishop, Edward Cardinal Egan recently lambasted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for defending the so-called "right to choose." Egan said: "Anyone who dares to defend that they [children in the womb] may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name."

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, in his dissenting opinion in Stenberg, wrote: "I am optimistic enough to believe that, one day, Stenberg v. Carhart will be assigned its rightful place in the history of this Court's jurisprudence beside Korematsu and Dred Scott. The method of killing a human child . . . proscribed by this statute is so horrible that the most clinical description of it evokes a shudder of revulsion."

"The choice by Fordham University of Justice Breyer to receive this prestigious award," said Patrick Reilly, "is a far cry from an award established to recognize the 'positive contributions of the legal profession to American society.' Justice Breyer did not act objectively in Stenberg, but rather overstepped his authority and legislated from the bench."
“"f Fordham truly aspires to follow its own mission statement and be 'Guided by its Catholic and Jesuit traditions,' then it must rescind the offer of this award to Justice Breyer," said Reilly.

Howard Dean, Obama Campaign at Saint Louis University

Howard Dean, Obama Campaign at Saint Louis University

Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will bring presidential hopeful Barack Obama's Register for Change tour to Saint Louis University tomorrow. It is only the latest incident of a Catholic college hosting a campaign event for the pro-abortion presidential candidate.

Howard Dean, who is also the former Governor of Vermont, is notorious in American politics for his support of legalized abortion. In addition to campaigning for pro-abortion Obama, in 2002 Dean defended the legality of the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion, in which a third trimester half-delivered baby's skull is evacuated. "The notion of 'partial birth abortion' is nonsense," said Dean. "This is a rare procedure used only to save the life or health of the mother."

"The Bishops have been very clear," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). "Catholic institutions must not give a public platform to politicians who are publicly opposed to Catholic teaching. The Obama Campaign should not be welcome at Saint Louis University."

This is not the first time this year that Saint Louis University has come under criticism for abusing its Catholic identity. In January, Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis, Missouri, urged the university to discipline its basketball coach for public statements in support of abortion and stem cell research, while campaigning for pro-abortion candidate Hillary Clinton.

During this presidential campaign season, The Cardinal Newman Society has lamented other appearances of pro-abortion politicians on Catholic university campuses. In February, Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke at St. Norbert College in Wisconsin as well as St. Mary's University in Texas. In January, Saint Peter's College in New Jersey hosted a rally for Sen. Barack Obama. And in March 2007 Loras College did the same, while Michelle Obama spoke at Villanova University in March 2008.

The Cardinal Newman Society also opposed appearances of Sen. John McCain at Catholic Xavier University and Villanova last spring because of his support of embryonic stem-cell research.

Last February, CNS led a coalition of 18 Catholic organizations in support of the US Bishop’s speaker policies. They issued a statement urging Catholic institutions to "refrain from all activities that provide a public platform to, or imply support or even neutrality toward, political leaders and candidates who advocate positions on serious moral issues that are clearly contrary to Catholic teaching."

Pro-Abortion/Same-Sex "Marriage" Belinda Stronach to be Keynote Speaker at Catholic College in Western Canada

Pro-Abortion/Same-Sex "Marriage" Belinda Stronach to be Keynote Speaker at Catholic College in Western Canada

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

MUENSTER, Saskatchewan, August 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - St. Peter's College, a Benedictine liberal arts school affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and which describes itself as being deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition, has invited Belinda Stronach, known for her support of abortion and same-sex marriage, to be the keynote speaker at its fund-raising dinner to be held September 16, 2008.

A spokeswoman at St. Peter's college told LifeSiteNews.com that Stronach was chosen to speak at their Gala dinner because of her business experience and fund-raising acumen, but declined to comment on whether the college was concerned about Stronach's position on issues which put her in direct opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Stronach has a lengthy history of actively promoting abortion and homosexual "marriage." Earlier this year LifeSiteNews.com reported that the Liberal MP was one of a handful of Canadian politicians photographed marching in the raunchy Toronto Gay Pride Parade. She has also participated in the parade in previous years.

In 2006 LifeSiteNews reported that Stronach told the Toronto Star that she believed that only pro-abortion women's groups should receive government funding. Stronach said, "[Pro-life women's groups] should be rejected because they're anti-choice and they're also anti-equal rights. They don't support equality."

Stronach's comments to the press closely resembled those she made in the House of Commons the day before the Toronto Star published its story. Stronach slammed the government for even hearing the opinions of REAL Women, a pro-life and pro-family women's group. "This is a group that is anti-choice, anti-gay, does not support equality for women and wants to obliterate the Department on the Status of Women," said Stronach. "This group's website even has links to sites that suggest that day cares do not care and homosexuality is a psychological disorder."

The politician has made numerous other statements throughout the years affirming her support for numerous issues that run directly in opposition to fundamental Catholic moral teachings.

A request for comment to the president of St. Peter's College was not answered by press time.

No one was available for comment at the office of the Bishop of Saskatoon.

To express your concern to St. Peter's College please contact:

Robert Harasymchuk, President
St. Peter's College
Phone: 306.682.7888
Fax: 306.682.4402
Email: spc@stpeters.sk.ca
Website: http://www.stpeterscollege.ca/
Mailing Address
RPO Box 40
Muenster, SK S0K 2Y0

To express your concern to the Bishop of Saskatoon please contact:

Most Reverend Albert Francois LeGatt, Bishop of Saskatoon
100 - 5th Avenue North
Saskatoon, SK S7K 2N7
Phone: (306) 242-1500
Toll Free: 877-661-5005
Fax: (306) 244-6010

In addition, the following may be contacted:

Peter Novecosky OSB - Abbot of St. Peter's Abbey, as he is Chancellor for the College
Phone: 306.682.1777
Fax: 306.682.1766
RPO Box 10
Muenster SK S0K 2Y0
abbotpeter@stpeters.sk.ca,

Demetrius Wasylyniuk OSB, as he is the Chair of St. Peter's College Board of Governors
Phone: 306.682.1777
Fax: 306.682.1766
RPO Box 10
Muenster SK S0K 2Y0

State's Most Pro-Abortion Judge on the Board of Catholic University

State's Most Pro-Abortion Judge on the Board of Catholic University
By Tim Waggoner

MINNEAPOLIS, July 10, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews has learned that a notorious abortion advocate and Appeals Court Judge is holding an executive position at a large Catholic university in Minneapolis.

Judge Diana Murphy is the chairwoman of the Executive Committee for the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of St. Thomas. However, throughout her tenure as a judge with the Eight Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals, she has consistently overturned legislation seeking to further the Culture of Life.

On September 11, 2000, the appeals court judge ruled against multiple legislators, pro-life groups, physicians and citizens, who objected to the State of Minnesota paying for abortions with their tax dollars. The federal government had banned such use of taxpayer funds and so had the Minnesota legislature. Murphy and the State Supreme Court, however, found the State ban on funding to be unconstitutional and ruled the plaintiffs had no standing, preventing the case from being reviewed at higher levels.

On October 25, 2006, Judge Murphy ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, striking down legislation that would have required doctors to inform women that an abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being.

Judge Murphy is also a donor and Vice Chair of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB), which, according to Dr. David Pence of the DocSociety, is intent on severing the university's ties with the Church. According to its website, DocSociety is "a brotherhood of Catholic men working to restore fatherhood and fraternity among Catholic priests and laymen."

Dr. Pence and the DocSociety have been for years closely monitoring the questionable happenings at St. Thomas University.

"Why is a notorious pro-abortionist judge holding a executive position at a Catholic University?" asked Pence in a LifeSiteNews interview.

Pence said that one might expect that given that the chairman and vice-chairman of the university Board of Trustees are the former Catholic bishop of the diocese, Archbishop Flynn, and former Vicar General of the diocese, Rev. Kevin McDonough, the board of the Catholic university would be composed of members who preserve Catholic teachings.

But considering the track record of Archbishop Flynn and Rev. McDonough, Pence said he is not surprised that pro-abortion Judge Murphy is chairing the Executive Committee for the Board.
Archbishop Flynn retired from the diocese after years of complaints by faithful Catholics over his handling of a host of scandals involving homosexual activists both within and without the archdiocesan administration. Under his rule, a notoriously pro-homosexual parish, St. Joan of Arc, was allowed to continue openly supporting the Gay Pride parades and the homosexual lifestyle. The parish's opposition to Catholic teaching was so brazen that it resulted in a 2004 rare direct intervention by the Vatican. Flynn was named by homosexual political activists as one of the US's four most "gay friendly" bishops.

McDonough came under fire in 2006 after he attempted to brush off the rampant homosexuality in the diocese, stating, "I don't believe in this archdiocese there has ever been an active subculture of homosexual priests who were sexually active and justifying their behavior."
McDonough's public assertion was surprising, especially since his own brother William McDonough, a priest (active as such at least until 1998) in the diocese, is on public record going against Church teaching on homosexuality.

To add to the controversy, LifeSiteNews covered a story in November of 2007 that saw the board vote unanimously to remove a 125 year-old bylaw that declared the chairman and vice-chairman of the board should be the sitting Bishop and Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis. The board, headed by Flynn and McDonough, made this strategic move just five months before Archbishop Nienstedt was to be installed as the new archbishop of the Minneapolis diocese, thereby preventing him from assuming the position of chairman of the Board of Trustees of St. Thomas University.

The board of directors also voted to re-install Flynn and McDonough as chairman and vice-chairman for an extended five year term. The move was feared to be an effort by the university to override the authority of and possible reforms by Archbishop Nienstedt, Flynn's more orthodox Catholic coadjutor bishop who has since succeeded him as head of the archdiocese.

The vote thereby extended the contracts of chairman Flynn and vice-chairman McDonough for five more years, after which the board could vote in whomever they desire to fulfill the roles - essentially eliminating the Church's and, more specifically, Nienstedt's role in the university.
Archbishop Nienstedt's authentic Catholicity was not welcomed by the Board of Trustees after he said he would not accept a proposed plan by one of the board members that sought to merge the school with a medical association, because the move would involve teaching abortion procedures as part of the curriculum. This happened only weeks before the vote was cast that saw the removal of the bylaw.

The spokesperson for St. Thomas University did not respond to calls by press time.

'No' to Pro-life 'Yes' to Transgender Speakers

Note: Something really wrong is happening here that we've seen at other schools. It appears more and more that radical feminists with a left-wing agenda are getting themselves appointed to decision-making positions at Catholic colleges for the exact purpose of undermining Catholic teaching. St. Thomas is in danger of losing its Catholic identity as a result.

Liberal at Catholic Univ. of St. Thomas Says 'No' to Pro-life 'Yes' to Transgender Speakers
David M. Bresnahan
April 10, 2008

St. Paul, MN - The largest private university in Minn., the Univ. of St. Thomas, has refused to allow Star Parker, a pro-life black woman, to address students on campus about Planned Parenthood in a free and open presentation, even though the university web site claims the Univ. of St. Thomas "educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good."

A liberal administrator at the Catholic school, VP of Student Affairs, Jane Canney, is the gatekeeper who seems to be permitting extremist liberal points of view, but denying conservative opinions that are in keeping with Catholic teachings, even though St. Thomas is a dedicated and respected Catholic institution. School policy states that all points of view should be presented.

The school maintains a Center for Catholic studies. "The program was designed to engage students and faculty interested in a study of the Catholic intellectual tradition as a whole and how it shapes our understanding of politics, psychology, history, science, literature, theology and other aspects of contemporary culture," according to the school web site.

The Catholic Church maintains a strong stand in opposition to abortion, so it is surprising to students that their university has banned nationally syndicated columnist Star Parker from a planned presentation on the campus. Parker was expected to speak on "The Origins of Planned Parenthood," which many students and members of the local community would like to hear.

Parker seems to be more than qualified to speak to the students at any college or university. She has testified before the United States Congress, has appeared as an expert commentator on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and other television programs. She is also frequently quoted in major national publications such as the Washington Times, Christianity Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. Parker is the author of three books, and runs a non-profit conservative think tank, CURE, organized to "fight poverty and restore dignity through faith, freedom and personal responsibility."

"Bringing Star to St. Thomas would not only be beneficial for all who hear her, but also enjoyable, educational, and a wonderful inspiration to our Catholic university,"said a report in the independent student newspaper the St. Thomas Standard.

The article explains the many qualifications of Parker, and why students at the university would like to attend the presentation. The article was written by editor Amie Kieffer. The St. Thomas Standard along with the St. Thomas Students for Human Life, and the Young America's Foundation (YAF) are the sponsors of the lecture by Parker.

Kieffer reported to the YAF that she and her sister Katie, founder of the paper, were told by Canney that any speaker sponsored by the YAF is not allowed on campus. Canney ignored efforts to obtain her reaction by phone or by E-mail for this report.

The vision statement of the university says: "We seek to be a recognized leader in Catholic higher education that excels in effective teaching, active learning, scholarly research and responsible engagement with the local community as well as with the national and global communities in which we live."

Interestingly, liberal speakers at St. Thomas receive full support from the school's administration and the Student Life Committee overseen by Canney. During the current school year, Canney has approved the appearances of outspoken liberal commentator Al Franken, as well as a transgendered activist, Debra Davis.

It appears that Canney and school administrators may be ignoring their own policy regarding speakers at the school, which states: "Another factor governing speakers on campus is our concern that a wide variety of issues and viewpoints be given expression. We take pride in the scope and quality of programs on campus during the past years. The value of freedom in the classroom is reflected in the campus forum..."

Most schools have such a tight budget that they seek to find sponsors who will underwrite the cost of bringing informative speakers to their campus. Hundreds of lectures are given at colleges and universities each year that are sponsored by the YAF, but apparently Canney will not approve a speaker who is sponsored by YAF, although she has not responded to requests to confirm or deny this claim by students.

Young America's Foundation sponsors more than 500 lectures annually featuring a wide array of the very best in the conservative movement, including John Ashcroft, Michelle Malkin, Dinesh D'Souza, Sean Hannity, Bay Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Star Parker, and many others.

Dr. Peter Kreeft: "We are living in a spiritual Hiroshima"

Dr. Peter Kreeft has a recording on his website byt this title and i encourage you to visit at http://www.peterkreeft.com/home.htm. He is obviously one of the few devout Catholic teaching on a "Catholic" campus today and likely suffers much for it.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Why do you use the word "jihad"? Is that really appropriate?

A: Primarily, the word "jihad" means "spiritual struggle." It is an accurate word per se for what Christians are facing today.

Q: Is Boston College a Catholic university?

A: No, Boston College is a Jesuit university that used to be Catholic. My mother says that I should not say anything about someone if I can't say something good; my mother would not like the Theology Department at Boston College. The Philosophy Department is pretty solid. In many ways, Boston College is still Catholic. BC is not so far gone as Georgetown, but it is farther gone than Notre Dame. Like New York City, Boston College is both great and ugly.

Q: When asked whether heart disease or cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States, it's correct to say "neither." The leading cause of death in the United States is murder by abortion.

A: Thank you.

Q: Could you please comment on the sexual revolution?

A: The sexual revolution did not just change lives, it changed the sources of life.

Q: When will the tide turn on our "Catholic" college campuses?

A: It is turning now. Students today are a sort of "populist groundswell" for orthodoxy, but "Catholic" college administrators/establishments "haven't heard about that yet."

Q: How happy are today's "liberated" people?

A: Not very. The best measure is the suicide rate. Since the 1950s, the suicide rate among teenagers has gone up 500%.

Q: How can people today "not get it?"

A: They kill their consciences. And to kill your conscience, you must go insane.

Q: How do you convert the insane?

A: You love them; you be honest with them; you talk with them; you be their friend; you pray for them.

Q: Would you ever allow one of your children to go to Boston College?

A: Three of my four children did go there, and they emerged "unscathed." Seriously, some of my best friends are Jesuits. There is hope for Boston College.

Hilary Clinton Rally at Eerie PA Catholic College Causes Bishop to Cancel Appearance

Note: Our critics say that politicians should be allowed to speak on Catholic college campuses so students may explore different points of view. There are a couple of things wrong with this idea. For one, this candidate's 'point of view' regarding morals and opposition to Catholic teaching are about as well known and vetted as can be. For another, there is no critical debate of the issues as part of the talk. In fact, Mrs. Clinton insulates herself from ad-hoc questioning even at secular events. And most importantly, if the college actually taught and promoted Catholic faith and morals, what is known as objective truth, then there would be nothing to fear from guest speakers opposed to it. There would also be no point.

Hilary Clinton Rally at Eerie PA Catholic College Causes Bishop to Cancel Appearance
Pro-Life Group Plans Demonstration

By John-Henry Westen

ERIE, PA, March 31, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Hillary Clinton is going to hold a campaign rally at Mercyhurst College tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, 2008. The Catholic College boasts of the pro-abortion Senator and Presidential candidate's appearance on its web page.

LifeSiteNews.com has also learned that Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman has cancelled his scheduled appearance at the upcoming Mercyhurst graduation ceremony in protest.

Ad on college website's main page at http://www.mercyhurst.edu/

Tim Broderick of the pro-life group People for Life is urging "all pro-life people to make whatever sacrifices are necessary to be at Mercyhurst for a pro-life informational demonstration from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM, Tuesday -- rain or shine." Broderick is urging pro-life individuals who are unable to attend to contact the university with their concerns.
University President Thomas Gamble permitted the Clinton appearance despite a directive from the United States Conference of Bishops which specifically forbids pro-abortion politicians from such engagements.

Broderick told LifeSiteNews.com that Clinton's appearance at the Catholic institution would "mislead the general public about Hillary and Bill Clinton's extreme commitment to actively promoting abortion in America and around the world." Moreover, he said that it would "mislead the public in general and Catholics in particular about the Catholic Church's very cogent recognition that abortion is precisely the murder of an innocent human being, and that establishing legal protection for the unborn is a matter of tremendous urgency."

Demonstrators are being asked to meet at the Parade Blvd. entrance to the Mercyhurst Campus. Broderick will be on hand with picket signs from 4 PM.

"We are hoping the Erie Catholic Diocese will be able to force a cancellation of this event," said Broderick.

To politely express concerns contact:
Dr. Thomas J. Gamble
President of Mercyhurst College
Main 111
Office: (814) 824-2311
Fax: (814) 824-3333
E-mail: tgamble@mercyhurst.edu

Sue Johnson
Administrative Assistant to President Gamble
Main 111
Office: (814) 824-2311
Fax: (814) 824-3333
Email: sjohnson@mercyhurst.edu

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08033103.html

Jesuit University President Attacks George Weigel

by Deal W. Hudson
3/20/08

The February 20 issue of the Denver Catholic Register published a column on the Jesuits titled "Some Questions for Father General" by George Weigel. In response, the president of the University of San Francisco, Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., published "Attack on Jesuits Out of Place" in Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.

Father Privett not only attacked what he termed the "mean-spirited assault" of Weigel, but he was also sharply critical of the Denver archdiocese for publishing it. Father writes,

The readership of Catholic diocesan newspapers deserves more civil, balanced, and professional fare than that served up and passed around by the Denver Catholic Register.

I don't know of a single instance in the history of this country's Catholic Church when one diocesan newspaper attacked another by name.

Weigel asked the new Jesuit Superior, Rev. Adolfo Nicolas, S.J., questions on four issues: Jesuit obedience, the Catholic identity of Jesuit educational institutions, the Jesuit attitude toward the Church's teaching on homosexuality, and the order's theological commitment to the "unique salvific role of Jesus Christ."

Anyone even superficially familiar with the history of the Catholic Church since Vatican II would not be surprised by these questions. The issues of Jesuit obedience and Catholic identity were raised by the secular media in its coverage of the recent election of the new Father General. In addition, the Vatican pressure that led to the resignation of Rev. Thomas Reese, S.J., from his editorship of America magazine got national attention.

Father Privett's outrage suggests that he is unaware that Weigel is merely speaking aloud questions that are shared by Catholics around the world. He specifically charges Weigel with making unfounded allegations about two Jesuits in particular, Rev. James Keenan, S.J., and the late Rev. Robert Drinan, S.J. Wiegel puts both forward as examples of Jesuit attitudes toward basic Church teachings on abortion and marriage.

About Father Drinan, Weigel writes, "He did more than anyone else to convince Catholic legislators that the settled teaching of the Church on the grave immorality of abortion had no bearing on their legislative work." Father Privett's reply to Weigel: "His stunningly sweeping statement . . . lacks any supporting evidence."

I'm sure that Weigel would be surprised to hear that he needed to document the career of Father Drinan, whom I call in my recent book the "Jesuit priest who invented the pro-abortion Catholic politician." Perhaps Father Privett needs to be reminded that, after being elected to Congress in 1970, Father Drinan wrote in support of Roe v. Wade and Clinton's veto of the ban against partial-birth abortion. After being forced by John Paul II to leave Congress in 1981, Father Drinan continued as a pro-abortion lobbyist both within the Democratic Party and as head of Americans for Democratic Action.

Father Privett also takes issue with Weigel's description of Father Keenan's highly publicized testimony before the Massachusetts legislature in support of homosexual marriage. Father Keenan's argument, according to Weigel, was " that the principles of Catholic social doctrine did not merely tolerate 'gay marriage,' they demanded it." But again, Father Privett objects: "He did not do so. Father Keenan testified against unjust discrimination against gay couples. He did not testify in support of gay marriage or approve homosexual activity."

What Father Privett does not make clear is that Father Keenan, a moral theologian at Boston College, argued for gay marriage on the basis of homosexuals' possessing a "right" to be married. Weigel is correct.

The most sensitive issue raised by Weigel is the attitude toward homosexuality among the Jesuits. He rightly calls it the "third-rail" issue, as anyone who raises it can expect some kind of thrashing.

What must have provoked Father Privett is one example Weigel supplies from the Jesuits' California province:

[I]t was not that long ago, after all, that the Web site of the Jesuits' California Province featured photos of "Pretty Boy" and "Jabba the Slut" in gay drag at a novices' party.

Father Privett explains that these photos are not "gay drag"; rather, they were "taken at a Halloween party seven years ago at the novitiate" and were "mistakenly put on-line and immediately taken off for fear it would be malevolently misinterpreted by the likes of Mr. Weigel."

Let me add to this discussion a story I heard, and verified, on a recent trip to San Francisco. A graduate student at the University of San Francisco was rejected for a position in the resident halls because, as he put it, "Father said I do not have the right attitude toward homosexual conduct, as I disapprove of such conduct." After being turned down for the position, it was suggested by a Jesuit that he read Gays and Grays: The Story of the Gay Community at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Parish, written by Rev. Donal Godfrey, S.J., a professor at USF.

On page 134 of Gays and Grays, Father Godfrey posits the question, "Is it less appropriate for gays to imagine Jesus as gay than for African Christians to picture him as black, Asian Christians as Asian?" This,shortly after acknowledging on page 132,"I will not feign academic objectivity: if such a thing really exists. I firmly believe in a new approach and a new vision in this area of ministry. In this I do have an 'agenda.'"

Not surprisingly, the graduate student has been hesitant to pursue "some questions" he has about the USF Jesuit community's doctrinal approach to homosexuality, for fear that his questions might be wrongly construed as an "attack on the Jesuits." It's not difficult to see where he might have gotten that impression.

Local Catholics familiar with the situation at USF told me that this is not an isolated incident, and that some Jesuits in the community are deeply concerned.

For one, the theologians at USF were offered the mandatum, in accord with Ex Corde Ecclesiae, but none responded to the offer. In fact, Sacred Heart Sr. Theresa Moser, associate dean at the University of San Francisco, urged USF theologians to adopt a stance of noncompliance: "'The appropriate strategy is to do nothing' by way of requesting a mandatum, she said, or, if one is offered, to 'very respectfully decline."'

The questions asked by George Weigel about the future of the Jesuits shouldn't have been so shocking to Father Privett; they have been asked publicly, in both secular and Catholic media, for decades. Weigel's questions didn't surprise the Catholic residents of San Francisco, but Father Privett's outraged response did.

Deal W. Hudson is the director of InsideCatholic.com and the author of Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States (Simon and Schuster, March 2008).

"The Politics of Abortion" Book Review

From "The Politics of Abortion," By Anne Hendershott. Encounter Books. 179 pages. $25.95.

Doubtless the most painful chapter is the one in which Hender­shott shows that many Catholic colleges no longer foster a prolife culture. Two recent studies have demonstrated that support for abortion on Catholic campuses now increases between the freshman and senior years. Sadly, "abortion is rarely debated on Catholic college campuses, either from a reasoned secular viewpoint or from a theological perspective." True, the Culture of Life is heartily encouraged at the new, more faithful Catholic colleges, but a larger number of the older Catholic campuses actually promote participation in the Culture of Death, for example, with Planned Parenthood student internships and invitations to notorious pro-abortionists to speak on campus.

Recently, though, there have been a few hopeful signs: some pro-abortion lecturers were dis-invited -- Gloria Steinem from Trinity in Vermont, Frances Kissling from Holy Cross, and James Lawson from Christian Brothers University in Memphis. Yet Hendershott finds that the prolife movement in certain elite secular colleges and universities has more vitality today than that found in their Catholic counterparts. This shouldn't be. Our institutions should be the yeast raising the mass of dough.

As Reviewed in New Oxford Review

Infanticide Supporter at Villanova

Note: I made my headline include the word "infanticide" because Obama voted against the Born Alive Act which simply stated that a child born alive during an abortion procedure cannot be murdered. That such a law is even needed shows how perverse our society has become. Of course, he also supports partial birth abortion so the principle is the same separated by a birth canal and five minutes. That Villanova welcomes a supporter of such a crime shows how far they will go to cozy up to political power.

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY HOSTS ABORTION ADVOCATE MICHELLE OBAMA

Manassas, VA - In another example of a Catholic university hosting a pro-abortion political figure, Michelle Obama spoke before 2,500 people at a political rally for her husband, Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama, at Villanova University's Jake Nevin Fieldhouse on March 13.

Mrs. Obama, an abortion advocate, endorsed partial-birth abortion in a 2004 fundraising letter for her husband. Senator Obama supports Roe v. Wade, partial-birth abortion and embryonic stem cell research. He has voted against parental notification and for increased contraceptive funding for teenagers.

Joseph A. Esposito, director of the Cardinal Newman Society's Center for the Study of Catholic Higher Education, said, "The Obamas' record on abortion is clear and unequivocal. We are disappointed with Villanova University. For a Catholic university to provide a platform for a pro-abortion figure in the midst of a political campaign is simply wrong."

The Cardinal Newman Society had a lead role in drafting a "Statement of Principles Regarding Catholic Institutions, Sanctity of Life and Political Engagement" last month. The statement was endorsed by 18 major Catholic organizations, including the Cardinal Newman Society, Catholics United for the Faith, the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights and the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.

The statement reads, in part, "We call on Catholic institutions to join us in refusing to honor or provide a public forum for any political leader or candidate who acts 'in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.' This includes any politician who undermines a 'culture of life' by advocating public policies to permit or support abortion, physician-assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, or any other threat to human life."

This initiative was undertaken in response to an alarming trend of pro-abortion politicians using Catholic college campuses for political rallies during the presidential campaign. In January, Senator Obama appeared at a huge rally on the campus on Saint Peter's College, a Jesuit institution in Jersey City, N.J. Senator Hillary Clinton appeared at St. Norbert's College in Wisconsin and St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Tex., in February.

In objecting to Clinton's visit to St. Mary's University, Archbishop Jose Gomez said, "Our Catholic institutions must promote the clear understanding of our deep moral convictions on an issue like abortion, an act that the Church calls 'an unspeakable crime' and a non-negotiable issue."

Esposito added, "It is important to let Catholic college leaders know that such disregard for Catholic Church teachings is morally wrong and ultimately impugns the Catholic mission and integrity of the institution. Faithful Catholics may want to contact Father Peter Donohue, president of Villanova University, to indicate their outrage."

He also said, "It is important, too, to thank Catholic leaders who do stand up for Church principles regarding campus speakers. The Cardinal Newman Society recently praised the University of St. Thomas, Houston, for their top administrators barring the speech of a Latina activist with a record of abortion advocacy from speaking on campus."

Father Donohue, the president of Villanova University, can be reached at president@villanova.edu.

Catholic College Hosts Canada's Most Outspoken Abortion Advocate

Catholic College Hosts Canada's Most Outspoken Abortion Advocate

By Thaddeus M. Baklinski

LONDON, ONTARIO, March 7, 2008 - Yesterday evening Brescia Women's College at The University of Western Ontario hosted notorious abortion and homosexual "marriage" advocate Michele Landsberg, who gave a talk entitled, "The F-Word: Fearless, Funny, Fast-Forward and Fabulous...Feminism."

The talk was given as part of Brescia's 'Women Making Change' conference in conjunction with International Women's Day.

Landsberg is an extremely outspoken critic of orthodox Christianity and a venomous opponent of the pro-life movement.

Landsberg wrote a column in The Toronto Star a number of years ago, saying, "Will no priest or minister publicly resolve to stop the indoctrination of youth to view abortion as murder? Is none ashamed of the blood-drenched holocaust vocabulary used so cynically (and anti-semitically) to whip up fervor for the crusade? Where are the outspoken cries of conscience by bishops and cardinals who should be appalled by the evidence of links between anti-abortion fanatics and far-right militias, neo Nazis, and white supremacists? Is there no religious leader who regrets his church's role in feeding this blind frenzy? Will none of them repent of their excesses, will none call a halt to their sickeningly manipulative campaigns of 'precious little feet,' their fake 'documentaries' about screaming fetuses? You'd think that the world had enough lessons in the dangers of hate speech."

Landsberg is married to Stephen Lewis, who has a long record of outspoken opposition to Catholic moral principles and has unequivocally placed himself on the side of the Culture of Death.

Kim Young Milani, director of The Circle Women's Centre at Brescia, which sponsored the lecture, said, "She's one of Canada's feminist icons. We're really excited to have her," in an interview with the London Free Press.

Loretta Dubrick, an alumna of Brescia, told LifeSiteNews.com she is saddened at the news. "It seems so far from the Catholic heritage of that College, and a total departure from the traditional Catholic spirituality on which it was founded," she said. "It shows a lack of discernment about their Catholic identity to encourage their students to accept dissenting ideologies. It's really disappointing and I do deeply wish they had reconsidered."

Brescia was established in 1919 by the Ursuline Sisters and has been affiliated with The University of Western Ontario since its founding.

Calls by LifeSiteNews.com to the administration of the college were not returned.

To express your concern please contact:

Brescia University College at The University of Western Ontario
1285 Western Road
London, Ontario, Canada, N6G 1H2
Tel: (519) 432-8353
Fax: (519) 858-5137
Email: brescia@uwo.ca

Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B.
Bishop of London
1070 Waterloo Street
London, Ontario N6A 3Y2
Phone: (519) 433-0658 Ext 224
Fax: (519) 433-0011
E-mail: bketelaars@rcec.london.on.ca

A look at a Catholic university hosting a pro-abortion candidate

A look at a Catholic university hosting a pro-abortion candidate
Elaine Kolodziej
20.FEB.08

The dynamic personality and unquestioned influence of more than two decades of leadership by Archbishop Patrick Flores were all traits we had come to know so well. Flores was admired and respected by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and he got along very well with the media.

His successor is the more unassuming Jose Gomez, whose style has been quite low-profile compared to that of Flores. In fact, even as a Catholic, I must admit that I know very little about him.

Last week, however, Gomez showed his chutzpa and, as could be expected, he's received flack from all corners. He was chastised in the secular press for going public with his "personal" opinions, and taken to task by those strict Catholics who thought this should never have happened under his watch.

But his actions proved that he is not afraid to speak out for what he believes is right and accepts as his responsibility.
The controversy arose over the scheduled appearance as Sen. Hillary Clinton campaigns for the Democrats' presidential nomination. Unbeknownst to Gomez, her much-heralded appearance was at none other than St. Mary's University, a leading Catholic institution.

There was much speculation in the media about the reason for his comments: Was the archbishop merely miffed that he was not consulted about the appearance of a leading pro-abortion candidate at a Catholic university? Or was he defending Catholic tradition as is his responsibility?

As usual, many of the comments in the media have been off-subject trying to determine why the archbishop was so upset. They would rather not confront the real issue: Should a Catholic institution be promoting a political candidate whose philosophy encompasses something completely against Catholic teaching?

Clinton was, of course, here to try to woo Hispanic voters, and what better place to do it than St. Mary's University in the heart of San Antonio's west side. Gomez took issue, however, and spoke up. He strongly believes that Catholic institutions are obligated to "teach and promote Catholic values in all instances," as stated on the chancery's Web site.

Some took the approach that voters should be more open-minded and not make their decision on a political candidate based on only a single issue, be it abortion or illegal immigration. "Single-issue voters are dangerous," Larry Stewart wrote in a letter to the San Antonio Express-News.

Robert Rivard, editor of the Express-News, even suggested that the archbishop should be concerned about other important issues such as teen pregnancy, child abuse, and high school dropouts - as if any of these approach the moral gravity of abortion. In the Catholic Church, abortion is considered the taking of human life and, as such, it is murder.Since when is murder equal to school dropouts?

Because some (or "many" as Rivard says) Catholics disagree with the church's teaching, apparently he thinks the archbishop should look the other way. Perhaps this is what has happened in the past in the San Antonio archdiocese, but that is not what will happen under Gomez's leadership.

One comment in the San Antonio Express-News was very similar to an opinion I heard expressed on several radio talk shows: "I am not a Clinton supporter, but want to remind everyone that editing education and exchange of ideas is as bad as editing the media."

The idea is that universities - even Catholic universities - are institutions of learning and, as such, should expose students to diverse learning experiences.

Precisely.

Perhaps I missed the announcement of Sen. John McCain's scheduled visit to St. Mary's University?

Archbishop Burke "Profoundly Saddened" at Catholic University Basketball Coach's Abortion Support

Note: The Archbishop is to be commended for using this incident as a teaching moment. Coach Majerus should be ashamed of himself but his is a will hardened against all natural reason. He is an apostate and a heretic. Indeed, Majerus attempts to marginalize Catholic teaching by confining them to the "opinion" of the bishop and then elevating his own opinion to that of the bishop. This is about the same as a slug claiming equivalence with a human. The president of SLU is the typically immasculine, let's all just get along type, who will only act when his job or college endowment is threatened. He has long ago forgotten his vows to Christ and looks more forward to retirement than to Heaven. He probably sees his inaction and indifference to the incident as elevating his stature in the eyes of his equally lukewarm peers.

Archbishop Burke "Profoundly Saddened" at Catholic University Basketball Coach's Abortion Support

By Hilary White

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, February 7, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Archbishop Raymond Burke of the St. Louis Archdiocese has expressed his "profound sadness" that a prominent sports coach at St. Louis University publicly expressed his support for abortion and destructive embryo research.

In an interview with the diocesan newspaper, the St. Louis Review, Archbishop Burke said, "At a time when in the Church we need to give such a strong witness to the dignity of human life and the Respect Life Apostolate, this counter witness is being given. I was very sad. Did it upset me? Yes, it did."

In January, Rick Majerus, the basketball coach at St. Louis University, a Jesuit institution, while voicing his support for Hillary Clinton's bid for the Democrat presidential nomination, also announced his support for legal abortion and embryo research. In response Archbishop Burke said he expected the school to discipline Majerus.

Burke told the St. Louis Review that the problem is one of "scandal", which in Catholic theological terminology means to "lead other people astray". He explained that his main concern is to "correct any perception" that it is possible to be at the same time a Catholic and in support of abortion or embryo research.

Speaking from the March for Life in Washington DC, Archbishop Burke said at the time that as a Catholic employee of a Catholic institution, Majerus was not free to "make statements which call into question the identity and mission of the Catholic Church."

Majerus, however, showed no remorse, telling media his "First Amendment right to free speech supersedes anything that the archbishop would order me to do".

"I'm respectful of the archbishop's position, but it's not going to change my mind. We're given free will and the right to vote for changes. I think religion should be inclusive," Majerus said.

But Archbishop Burke says Majerus was charged with a "sacred trust" as an employee of a Catholic university. Above all, the Archbishop said, "no Catholic institution could have its representatives espousing such positions. When people take a position at a Catholic institution, there's a certain sacred trust involved there."

The issue is not a political matter of freedom of speech, said Burke. "It's not a question of freedom of speech. Academic freedom is something quite different. It gives you a freedom to make declarations within your particular area of competence, and according to the canons (laws) for investigation of the truth. It doesn't give you a kind of heightened freedom to make declarations that are contrary to the truth."

Burke said that as a representative of a Catholic institution, someone who has views opposed to those of the Catholic Church has a duty to remain silent on the issues. "If there is a Catholic who for some reason is struggling with his or her adherence to this, then the correct thing to do is to be silent - certainly not to expound error or to air doubts that you're trying to resolve in your own mind. But to seek the help of a spiritual director to clarify these things."

Burke said that a person claiming to be a Catholic and making statements such as those made by Majerus in a public forum, "lead(s) other people astray with regard to what the Church teaches".

"You can lead astray Catholics, and you also can lead non-Catholics into error about what the Church teaches. And you even can influence them to do things that are gravely wrong. And this is what we call scandal: when you do something which leads other people into error or even into committing a sin."

"This is a very serious matter when a Catholic publicly espouses a position contrary to the faith."

St. Louis University has yet to make an official response to Archbishop Burke's concerns. A spokesman for the university, Jeff Fowler, at the time said only that Majerus' comments were not related to his role at the university. "Rick's comments were his own personal view. They were made at an event he did not attend as a university representative."

Catholic University Extols Pro-Abortion Alumnus Nancy Pelosi

Note: "Pro-abortion" doesn't even begin to express the anti-Catholic and pagan "values" of Speaker Pelosi. There is nothing suitable about her public persona from a Catholic perspective. If there are any alumni of Trinity who still remember with any fondness their authentic Catholic upbringing or their conversion to the faith, they really need to express outrage about this sacrilege. The leaders of Trinity now join the club of Ivory Tower Heretics.

Catholic University Extols Pro-Abortion Alumnus Nancy Pelosi

WASHINGTON, January 30, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Despite its Catholic mission, Trinity University in Washington, D.C., continues to extol two of its pro-abortion alumnae, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Both public officials identify themselves as Catholics, but reject Catholic teaching on serious moral issues.

"It runs contrary to the very purpose of a Catholic university to applaud the pursuit of power for gravely immoral ends," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "By deliberately associating itself with vocal advocates of what Pope John Paul II called a 'Culture of Death,' Trinity University has taken the low road."

Featured on Trinity's website is an announcement of Sebelius's Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union address on Monday - which Trinity President Patricia McGuire attended as Pelosi's special guest. Also posted are an alumni magazine profile of Sebelius, a 2006 news release announcing her selection as head of the Democratic Governors Association, and a news release on TIME Magazine naming her a top governor.

But nowhere on the Trinity website is Sebelius's support for abortion mentioned. Instead, the site quotes Pelosi, who claims Sebelius "epitomizes the leadership that is moving America in a New Direction." The site links to a "blog" on which McGuire praises Sebelius as "an amazing political leader" who "has been able to build bipartisan coalitions around issues of importance to people in Kansas" - but not including the defense of innocent human life.

In 2003, T