Catholic University bans pro-abortion speakers,
protesters claim "too Catholic"
WASHINGTON DC, USA, October 6 (CNA) - Catholic University authorities have
decided to enforce the U.S. bishops' request to deny pro-abortion public figures
a platform at Catholic campuses, but some faculty members as well as a group of
students are considering this stand "too Catholic."
Three weeks ago, authorities at CU decided to block an invitation to actor
Stanley Tucci to speak at a forum on Italian film because of his involvement
with abortion rights organizations.
In a memo to faculty members, the university's president, Fr. David M.
O'Connell, explained that Tucci, who has lent his support to Planned Parenthood
events, carried "moral baggage . . . [that] stands in direct contradiction
to the values and principles upon which this institution was founded."
Economics professor Ernest M. Zampelli told the Washington Post that the
university's policy is a "watershed event" for a college community
that is generally comfortable with the strong influence of the Church.
"This is something that people think goes beyond," he said, "and
this is where it should stop."
Some students agreed. Sarah McGrath, a senior and president of the Undergraduate
Student Government, told the Washington Post that the university "is
digging itself into a hole right now," she said. "My concern is that
once things like this start happening and become publicized to this magnitude
that our degrees won't be worth as much."
But university officials have said the policy is nothing new. The university
always has maintained the right to prohibit speakers whose views run counter to
those of the Church, said school spokesman Victor Nakas. He noted that a set of
directives issued in July by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
strengthened that existing policy.
In their statement, the bishops prohibited Catholic institutions from giving
"awards, honors and platforms" to those who oppose the Church's
fundamental positions, particularly that against abortion.
Last week, a group of professors circulated a protest letter, saying that a
person should be able to speak based on their artistic competence and
accomplishments, regardless of their political positions. They also argued that
since "few persons in public life agree wholly with Catholic
positions," the bishops' directives could not be applied consistently.
Last year, CU cancelled a bookstore appearance by Eleanor Holmes Norton, the
District's non-voting delegate in Congress, after some students complained about
her pro-abortion stance.
In April, CU rejected a request to sponsor and fund a campus chapter of the
NAACP because of the civil rights group's support of abortion.