The Poisonous Podium at Catholic Graduations

It's madness time at Catholic colleges and universities around the country and many institutions have filled the graduation cup of celebration with hemlock served from their poisonous podiums. Let's take a walk around Catholic campuses to see who's bellying up to the podium at graduation.

Georgetown: As usual the Jesuit institution is thumbing its nose at the Church by inviting rabidly pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius, head of Health and Human Services, to speak at commencement. In view of the controversy over the HHS contraception mandate this is a targeted slap at the Catholic bishops who (for once!) are unanimous in condemning a moral evil. Sebelius has a long history of supporting abortion, but her enthusiasm for violating religious liberty makes her a particularly offensive speaker at a Catholic school. The Newman Society is calling on Georgetown to withdraw the invitation. That would take a miracle from the premier academia scandal mongers! Isn't it time to remove Georgetown's designation as a pontifical university? The outrages at Georgetown are legion.  

DePaul: The largest Catholic university in the country has invited a population control guru to speak at one of their multiple commencements. E.O. Wilson is a Harvard professor who has called Christianity "the most dangerous of devotions" because "With a second life waiting, suffering can be endured - especially in other people. The natural environment can be used up. Enemies of the faith can be savaged and suicidal martyrdom praised." This is the picture of Christianity that DePaul is willing to promulgate? And consider the irony of a biggest Catholic school in the country hosting a man who would be happy to kill off the students of the future. 

University of San Francisco (Jesuit): USF has invited pro-abortion, pro-homosexual Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey to speak to the School of Managment. Woolsey has a 100% positive rating from Planned Parenthood a long history of supporting the most extreme legislation. She voted against the partial birth abortion ban and co-sponsored legislation to cannibalize unborn babies for their stem cells. Another objectionable speaker, addressing the law school, is Judge Goodwin Liu, a member of the California Supreme Court. Rahm Emmanuel considered Liu too controversial (read "too left wing") for nomination to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals (and that's saying something considering the extremism of the 9th circuit!). Like Woolsey he is pro-abortion and a proponent of same-sex marriage. (For more...)

Gonzaga University (Jesuit): Pro-abortion, pro-contraception, pro-population control Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the undergrad commencement speaker at Gonzaga.  As well as his abortion extemism, Tutu is  a big proponent of gay rights and advocates ordination of openly active homosexuals like Gene Robinson. He has made statements endorsing terrorism as well. Despite his decidedly anti-Catholic positions, Tutu will receive an honorary degree from the Jesuit university and the students will be served up a hefty portion of scandal. Not everyone is happy. An alumni couple started a petition on Facebook and gathered 700 signatures opposing Tutu's selection. The pro-Tutu forces headed up by Soros-funded Faithful America responded with a petition signed by 11,000. No wonder Jesus asked, "When I return will I find any faith on the earth?" There will be a remnant, however, and among them will be the 700 Gonzaga alumni.

Boston College (Jesuit): Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of Edward Kennedy and a publicly pro-abortion figure in her own right, will address the law school commencement. In a Washington Post Op-Ed, Kennedy defended abortion, a particularly scandalous act from someone professing to be a life-long Catholic whose faith is "very important" to her. It is apparently, not important enough to follow Church teachings.

I'll close this section on bad commencement speakers with a piece of good news/bad news. First the good news: Amidst the commencement scandals there's one story with a good ending. Bishop Robert McManus of Worcester asked Anna Maria College to disinvite Vicki Kennedy who was scheduled to speak there (as well as at Boston College). Happily, Anna Maria complied. And the bishop held firm despite receiving 20,000 signatures on a petition asking him to reconsider organized by (take note) Faithful America. But (now the bad news) the college president and chairman of the board of Anna Maria asked the bishop to stay away from graduation because he would be "a distraction." Ironically, when the bishop initially expressed his concerns about Kennedy, he told the college president he wouldn't attend commencement if she spoke. Now he won't attend because the administration doesn't want him. Sad when a Catholic institution disses their bishop because he does his job and prevents a scandal. But considering the invitation in the first place it is hardly surprising. At least they were obedient even if grudgingly. As for Mrs. Kennedy, she issued her own statement defending herself as a lifelong Catholic and criticizing the bishop's action for his judgment "about my worthiness as a Catholic." She went on to say, "This is a sad day for me and an even sadder one for the Church I love." Speak for yourself, Vicki. Orthodox Catholics hail the glad day and hope the bishop's action will be imitated by his brethren!

I'm not sure what Vicki Kennedy loves about the Church (maybe the stained glass windows and incense). It surely isn't Jesus Christ who said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." One of the paramount among those commandments, one that invovles a sin "that calls to heaven for vengeance," forbids the murder of the innocent. Kennedy champions child killing by abortion. That position alone disqualifies her (and all the other pro-abortion commencement speakers) from speaking at any authentically Catholic venue.

Sadly, many so-called Catholic organizations today display their disdain for the faith by their willingness to honor and praise, not Jesus Christ, but those who hate what He stands for. Graduation is a time that separates the sheep from the goats and illustrates exactly why young people are losing their faith at so-called Catholic schools.

But there are some, thank God, that are authentically Catholic and they will be celebrating commencements as well. Christendom College will feature Fr. Kenneth Baker of Homiletic and Pastoral Review and Mother Agnes Donovan of the Sisters of Life at their commencement. St. Thomas Aquinas College presents Mother Assumpta Long founder of the thriving new teaching order Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist. At Wyoming Catholic College Bishop Michael Sheridan will be the commencement speaker. Benedictine College will feature Pope John Paul II's biographer George Weigel to cap off their year dedicated to the former pope. Now there's an authentically Catholic lineup!

Another Catholic College; Another Horrendous Commencement Speaker!

This time at St. Joseph's in Philadelphia. Pro-abortion media cutie Chris Matthews (of Obama sends a shiver up my leg fame) is scheduled to fulminate at St. Joe's May 16th graduation. The pro-abortion commentator is well-known in pro-life circles for calling those who oppose abortion terrorists.

LifeSiteNews reported on the coming event writing, "Referring to the Senate confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius, President Obama's radically pro-abortion pick to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Matthews asked Lois Romano of the Washington Post, 'Is she gonna get through the terrorism of the anti-abortion people?' Matthews went on to complain about the possibility that Sebelius' connections to notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller could slow up the Senate proceedings."

Are we surprised that a Jesuit university would invite a pro-abortion speaker who labels pro-lifers (Doesn't that include ALL Catholics?) terrorists? That puts him squarely in the camp of government officials who consider anyone who supports Ron Paul, any third-party candidate, or has a pro-life bumper sticker on his car a potential militia member and possible terrorist. The real domestic terrorists are those who are using the powers of government to overthrow the freedoms guaranteed and hard-won by the Founding Fathers.

If you want a chilling thrill up your spine (or your leg) read this Fox article describing the "fusion centers" being established around the country by the Department of Homeland Security. Being labeled a terrorist for opposing abortion or increased taxes or for carrying too much money when you travel is no joke and Matthews is one of those tossing around the dangerous rhetoric that makes me and other pro-life activists de facto "terrorists" no matter how innocent.

That St. Joseph's would invite this loose cannon to scandalize their graduates is not only pathetic, but sinful. I've provided contact information below if you have the time and energy to engage in ANOTHER battle for the truth with those who should be raising up the kingdom of God, not destroying it.

Pray for a cleansing of the Jesuit order or, failing that, its demise. When the shepherds become wolves the sheep are, indeed, headed for the slaughter.

St. Joseph's University:
Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Office of the President
Saint Joseph's University
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395
tlannon@sju.edu
University operator: 610-660-1000