One of the trends in recent years is more and more bishops speaking out. Bishops have intervened regarding Catholic universities and Catholic hospitals, but unfortunately this is been met with very little obedience. For example Bishop John M. D’Arcy criticism of the President’s invite to Notre Dame and Bishop Thomas Olmstead in regards to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
The latest case involves the University of Scranton inviting former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies as a key speaker. She was once a director of a PAC committed to electing women pro-abortion supporters she co-sponsored the Abortion Clinic Access Bill. After the Cardinal Newman Society posted about this Bishop Joseph Bambera specifically requested the Jesuit university to withdraw the invitation, which they’ve refused.
In response to the University of Scranton’s decision to refuse his personal request, Bishop Bambera expressed his disappointment and concern by offering the following:
“The gravity of this issue speaks to the heart and substance of who we are as Christians. Because of the incarnation of Christ, every human life has value and worth. As Christians, we must be committed to defending human life at every age and every stage from conception to natural death.”
“Although a forum such as this, designed to support and encourage women to engage in public service, is by its nature good and noble, for a Catholic institution in the Diocese of Scranton to invite a pro-abortion advocate to speak at a University sponsored event is dismaying and personally disheartening to me. And to do so within days of the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., is particularly demoralizing.”
The University’s unwillingness to work with Bishop Bambera in an effort to reach an acceptable resolution to this unfortunate situation is an unsettling turn in the relationship that the Bishop has been pleased to maintain with University officials during his tenure as Bishop of Scranton. In Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the apostolic constitution issued by Blessed Pope John Paul II regarding Catholic colleges and universities, it is noted that: “Bishops have a particular responsibility to promote Catholic Universities, and especially to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity. A Catholic University, as Catholic, informs and carries out its research, teaching and all other activities with Catholic ideals, principles and attitudes.”
The university of course tries the “We are personally opposed to her view on abortion, but” dodge. Everyone knows a racist with expert views in another field is instantly disqualified, but you can support the murder of a child in the womb and that is not serious enough.
A Statement Regarding Ready to Run By
Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.,
President of the UniversityThe University of Scranton is part of a national network of institutions offering the Ready to Run program. Our workshop on January 28 is open to men and women throughout the region. This non-partisan and non-ideological program gives women the tools they need to run for political office.
In recent days, questions have surfaced about the pro-abortion views of one of the speakers, Marjorie Margolies. Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, asked the University to withdraw its invitation to Ms. Margolies. The University has decided to move forward with the program as planned. Speakers for this University event are experts chosen to provide women with information about the challenges of politics; they are not chosen to engage in a discussion of abortion. By inviting these speakers to campus, the University is not endorsing their personal views.
As Catholic and Jesuit, the University treasures its relationship with the Diocese of Scranton and with Bishop Bambera. We are saddened that any action on our part might in some way compromise this relationship. This is especially true given that we, like Bishop Bambera, strongly oppose the pro-abortion views of Ms. Margolies.
Though even citing Ms. Margolies as an expert on helping women to run for political office is rather odd considering her failed run for Lieutenant Governor and Senator. I guess from her PAC experience she can advise on helping pro-abortion supporters run.
Just another example of Catholic Identity Theft.
Via the Cardinal Newman Society
3 comments
Lay the blame at the doorstep of the Society of Jesus which is the controlling interest in this university. If their Superior General yanked the Jesuits from that university, much good would be done. What’s needed is a reform of the Jesuits led by those Jesuits still faithful to the Magisterium. If they do not speak up from inside their own ranks, who will?
I thank Bishop Bambera for speaking out on this issue. His job is to direct the faithful, including the Universities in his Diocease. His job is also to correct when the faithful or the Universities go against the Church’s Teaching, in this case re: abortion. It does not make sense for a Catholic institution to designate a pro-abortion person to instruct in any part of its programs.
(((The university of course tries the “We are personally opposed to her view on abortion, but” dodge.)))
Hey sinner vic, you say that some of your spiritual cells know of alien gods and as a matter of fictional spriritual reality fact, you even told me, myself and i that they are thinking of making you an official god if you can bring U>S (usual sinners) on board so what can you share with our fictional so called spriritual brothers and sisters?
Whow! Take a deep breath Victor and let me think about “IT” just for a god moment mind ya!
Alright Victor! NOW that I have my breath, I must remind you that humans should be careful not to fall into the traps set by alien powerful gods. Long story short, some of these imaginary gods can disguise themselves as god angels and “Believe “IT” or Not”, they can have spiritual reality sex with humans that are not protected by this Man they call Jesus.
Ok! Make your point sinner vic cause even Jeff has had just about enough of ya!
I hear ya Victor! OK Butt, you never heard “IT” from me butt from one of Henry The VIII spiritual imaginary cells who told me that his 5 wife really did have sex with these so called alien god angels cause they just had too much time on their hand and Henry said that he had not met a woman who couldn’t be add and that includes “Eve” so if you don’t mind Victor I will say Good Evening to you NOW if you get my drift?
Butt sinner vic “IT” is only morning! Why stop NOW when you’re on a role?
Sorry Victor butt you know what they say, When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go while the going is good so I’M OUT OF HERE WITH MY BUTT STILL IN TAX if you know what I mean? 🙁
WHATEVER YOU CHICKEN! 🙂
SHALOM