Editor's Desk: Campus Scandals

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Editor
(From the issue of 5/6/04)

Columnist Elizabeth Foss this week examines some morally disturbing articles she came across in the student newspaper at the University of Virginia. Foss’ revelations may come as a shock to some Catholic parents who send their children to this state-funded institution. Unfortunately, the permissive atmosphere at UVA is not unique in higher education. Even Catholic colleges and universities are not immune from widespread social decadence.

The Cardinal Newman Society last week issued a revealing 56-page report on scandals at U.S. Catholic colleges involving abortion, contraception, premarital sexual activity and physician-assisted suicide. "The Culture of Death on Catholic Campuses: A Five-Year Review" is being called the most extensive evidence of problems in Catholic higher education ever compiled in a single source. But the Newman Society says the report, which relies primarily on media reports and college Websites, "only scratches the surface."

"The Cardinal Newman Society has responded to scandal after scandal on Catholic campuses, but many Catholics still fail to appreciate the scope of the problem," said Erin Butcher, lead researcher and co-author of the report. "Pro-choice is no choice for a Catholic institution, which by its Catholic mission must be courageously pro-life."

Some of the "lowlights" that the report reveals include:

  • Pro-abortion presidential candidates are regularly invited to speak on Catholic campuses. Sen. John Kerry, a staunch pro-abortion supporter, has appeared at Georgetown on at least two occasions. Former President Bill Clinton also was a regular visitor to Georgetown, as well as pornographer Larry Flynt. Kate Michelman, NARAL Pro-Choice America president, has spoken at Boston College Law School.
  • "Emergency contraception," an abortifacient, is provided to students by the College of Santa Fe and Rockhurst University.
  • Internships and service opportunities offered by Catholic college include service as a Planned Parenthood "clinic escort" promoted by Nazareth College’s campus ministry and internships with Planned Parenthood offered by Villanova University.
  • Pro-abortion politicians serve as college officials and faculty members, including Carol Moseley Braun teaching management at DePaul University, Geraldine Ferraro on the Fordham University law school Board of Visitors and teaching public policy at Georgetown, and Leon Panetta teaching political science and on the Board of Trustees and law school Board of Visitors at Santa Clara University.
  • Like the student newspaper at UVA, student newspapers at Catholic colleges also promote sex and contraception, including sex advice columns titled "Sex and the University" in The Heights at Boston College and "Sex on the Hilltop" in The Hoya at Georgetown.

    • Constantly focusing on the negative can detract our attention from schools that strive to retain their Catholic identity. Locally, Christendom College in Front Royal will have former Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and Nellie Gray, founder and president of March for Life, on campus the weekend of May 14-16 for its commencement exercises.

    Bishop Welsh will celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass and deliver the homily on May 14 in the Chapel of Christ the King. Additionally, Bishop Welsh will deliver the Commencement Address and will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the college during the May 15 commencement ceremony. Gray will be awarded Christendom College's Pro Deo et Patria Medal for Distinguished Service to God and Country for her heroic efforts on behalf of the unborn in America.

    The Cardinal Newman Society report can be downloaded free of charge at www.cardinalnewmansociety.org.

    Copyright ©2004 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.

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