At Religious Universities, Disputes Over Faith and Academic Freedom - New York Times
At Religious Universities, Disputes Over Faith and Academic Freedom - New York Times
The problem here is that what Jenkins is proposing is not in keeping with Church tradition, the established catechism, or the traditions of St. Paul. According to Pauline Scriptures, we are to have compassion for all things in the world, being "in this world but not of it." Allowing literature, theater and social events that allow Catholics to fully explore their faith in the face of what the world offers is a Catholic value. As Catholics we are to love all the children of God, and all people are His children. By shutting down gay events Notre Dame is shutting the door on the possibility of being Christian toward a particular group. The Church is creating a new set of untouchable lepers. When we look to the teachings of Christ in the Gospels, and the subsequent teachings of St. Paul, and the example of St. Francis of Assisi, we are called to be inclusive of people. We can choose to exclude the behaviors that we consider sinful. Paul's example of eating with non-Christians providing the meal is not offered or consecrated to pagan gods is an example for us to follow.
But from a Catholic perspoective on education, how are students seeking to understand Catholicism and fully develop a Catholic world view going to be able to deal with those in the world that practice different faiths, different values, and different orientations if the Catholic institutions will not tolerate them on their campuses.
It has to be understood that the students, faculty and staff that might attend these events are not going to be convinced to be gay, feminist extremist or converts to paganism by merely attending. It also has to be understood that these folks are adults, most of whom are Catholic and committed to their faith (evidence of that is in the choice of enrollment). Choice and conscience are god-given rights, even among Catholics. While there may be some justification for withholding some experiences from children, there is no such justification for doing so with adults.
One must ask what Jenkins, Notre Dame and/or the Catholic Church is afraid of? What is it about the Vagina Monologues that raises so much concern? Is it the word "vagina" (a medical term for a part of the female reproductive system)? Is it the feminist nature of the play (God forbid that the Church advocate for women's rights and roles in the world)? Perhaps it is the advocacy for women and children that are victims of violence (which should be a mission of the church)?
And how does the movie Brokeback Mountain cause concern for adult Catholics? Will showing this movie change the character of Notre Dame? Will seeing a depiction of gay men dealing with each other cause good Catholics to abandon the Church or the faith? How will being exposed to any alternative change being Catholic?
The answer is that none of these events will change people that are not already having issues. But not allowing the exploration of the world with a Catholic world vision might just cause irreparable harm... to the Church and to Notre Dame.
"A gay film festival opened at the University of Notre Dame last week with a sold-out showing of "Brokeback Mountain." On Valentine's Day, Notre Dame students staged a production of 'The Vagina Monologues.' Members of the group United for Free Speech gathered signatures for a petition last week at the University of Notre Dame asking the university to maintain its openness in sponsoring events like the gay film festival. The Rev. John I. Jenkins, president of the university, has said some activities conflict with Catholic values. Though the events have been held for the past few years, it may have been their last time on campus. In speeches and interviews recently, the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame's new president, has said that staging the events on campus implies an endorsement of values that conflict with Roman Catholicism."
The problem here is that what Jenkins is proposing is not in keeping with Church tradition, the established catechism, or the traditions of St. Paul. According to Pauline Scriptures, we are to have compassion for all things in the world, being "in this world but not of it." Allowing literature, theater and social events that allow Catholics to fully explore their faith in the face of what the world offers is a Catholic value. As Catholics we are to love all the children of God, and all people are His children. By shutting down gay events Notre Dame is shutting the door on the possibility of being Christian toward a particular group. The Church is creating a new set of untouchable lepers. When we look to the teachings of Christ in the Gospels, and the subsequent teachings of St. Paul, and the example of St. Francis of Assisi, we are called to be inclusive of people. We can choose to exclude the behaviors that we consider sinful. Paul's example of eating with non-Christians providing the meal is not offered or consecrated to pagan gods is an example for us to follow.
But from a Catholic perspoective on education, how are students seeking to understand Catholicism and fully develop a Catholic world view going to be able to deal with those in the world that practice different faiths, different values, and different orientations if the Catholic institutions will not tolerate them on their campuses.
It has to be understood that the students, faculty and staff that might attend these events are not going to be convinced to be gay, feminist extremist or converts to paganism by merely attending. It also has to be understood that these folks are adults, most of whom are Catholic and committed to their faith (evidence of that is in the choice of enrollment). Choice and conscience are god-given rights, even among Catholics. While there may be some justification for withholding some experiences from children, there is no such justification for doing so with adults.
One must ask what Jenkins, Notre Dame and/or the Catholic Church is afraid of? What is it about the Vagina Monologues that raises so much concern? Is it the word "vagina" (a medical term for a part of the female reproductive system)? Is it the feminist nature of the play (God forbid that the Church advocate for women's rights and roles in the world)? Perhaps it is the advocacy for women and children that are victims of violence (which should be a mission of the church)?
And how does the movie Brokeback Mountain cause concern for adult Catholics? Will showing this movie change the character of Notre Dame? Will seeing a depiction of gay men dealing with each other cause good Catholics to abandon the Church or the faith? How will being exposed to any alternative change being Catholic?
The answer is that none of these events will change people that are not already having issues. But not allowing the exploration of the world with a Catholic world vision might just cause irreparable harm... to the Church and to Notre Dame.
posted by Jim Downey at 3:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home