A statement by Bishop McManus of Worcester [via Amy Welborn]
A controversy has arisen at the College of the Holy Cross that has resulted from the College’s renting space for a conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. The conference involves workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Both organizations promote positions on artificial contraception and abortion that are contrary to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
I have received numerous complaints from people who are shocked and outraged that a Catholic institution like Holy Cross would have anything to do with such groups. They have appealed to me to ask Father Michael McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross, to revoke the College’s agreement to rent space to the Massachusetts Teen Alliance. I have done so.
As Bishop of Worcester, it is my pastoral and canonical responsibility to determine what institutions can properly call themselves “Catholic.” This is a duty that I do not take lightly since to be a Catholic institution means that such an institution conducts its mission and ministry in accord with Catholic Church teaching, especially in cases of faith and morals.
The moral teaching of the Catholic Church on respect for life at all stages of its development is manifestly clear. Life is a fundamental good that must be protected and respected from the moment of fertilization to natural death. This teaching is so basic and important that it provides the foundation upon which much of the Church’s moral and social doctrine rests. It is beyond modification and compromise.
Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice are notorious for their policies and practices that directly reject the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception and abortion. The College of the Holy Cross should recognize that any association with these groups can create the situation of offering scandal understood in its proper theological sense, i.e., an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. Certainly it is understandable how people of good will could interpret the college’s allowing presentations to be made by such groups as truly scandalous.
I strongly contend that the confusion and upset to the Catholic faithful and others that flow from the perception that the administration of the College of the Holy Cross supports positions contrary to the fundamental moral teaching of the Church must be avoided. To deny Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice a forum in which to present their morally unacceptable positions is not an infringement of the exercise of academic freedom but a defensible attempt to make unambiguously clear the Catholic identity and mission of the College of the Holy Cross.
It is my fervent wish that the administration of the College of the Holy Cross will unequivocally disassociate itself from the upcoming conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy so that the college can continue to be recognized as a Catholic institution committed to promoting the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic church.
In other news Fr. Philip N. Powell, OP has a statement from the bishop of Texas saying no to Amnesty International.
And Colorado Springs Bishop Says He Does Not and Would Not Permit Plan B in Catholic Hospitals.
6 comments
I went to high school in Worcester, and believe me, Holy Cross has a reputation for pushing this envelope. McManus wouldn’t be the first bishop to boycott graduation due to their heterodox teachings and support. Their alumni contributions have been horrible because of this, too.
Keep going, Bishop McManus!
Wow! First Murphy, now McManus! Finally some bishops whose Irish blood reached their backbones!
Bravo, Bp. McManus! This sort of clear teaching is an encouragement to the laity. Let’s hope it brings the Jesuit administrators around to do the right thing.
By the way, this isn’t a first: the previous ordinary Bp. Reilly boycotted Holy Cross’ graduation in 2003 when they honored the pro-abortion journalist Chris Matthews.
I especially appreciate the Bp. McManus was willing to name the problem explicitly: many people perceive that Holy Cross’ administration does not reliably support Church teaching on the protection due to human life.
Hey – a real bishop!!!
For the last 20 years or so, I’ve cringed with the softshoe peformed by many bishops on such issues. It is such a pleasure to hear our shepherds speak so clearly.
The hippy-brand of catholicism is finally coming to an end.
“…so that the college can continue to be recognized as a Catholic institution …”
It takes real cojones to put that in print.
Canon-ball spotted sailing over the Holy Cross’ bow.
I applaud the Bishop for his stand, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
So far no Bishop has stood up to the 27 Jesuit schools in the states, the stakes are very high.
St. Louis University would (likely) be next to face such a challenge…especially after they successfully argued in court last year that they are NOT a Catholic school.