Breaking News...Hooray for Bishop D'Arcy!!
Bishop of Fort Wayne: Notre Dame President is Wrong to Allow Vagina Monologues
"I believe its performance to be pornographic and spiritually harmful" and "If it is performed, it should be denounced."
By John Jalsevac
FORT WAYNE, March 12, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The bishop of Fort Wayne, Bishop John D'Arcy, has released a public statement berating the president of Notre Dame University, Fr. John Jenkins, for deciding to allow a performance of The Vagina Monologues at the university.
LifeSiteNews.com reported yesterday that Fr. Jenkins released a statement on Mar. 10 in which he announced his decision to allow the performance of the play to go ahead on Mar. 24-26. "My decision on this matter," wrote the president, "arises from a conviction that it is an indispensable part of the mission of a Catholic university to provide a forum in which multiple viewpoints are debated in reasoned and respectful exchange - always in dialogue with faith and the Catholic tradition - even around highly controversial topics."
Jenkins also said, "It is particularly painful for me that Bishop John D'Arcy - for whom I have great respect and affection - disapproves of my decision.
Bishop D'Arcy begins his statement, released today, by thanking Fr. Jenkins for engaging in an ongoing dialogue with the bishop about the advisability of allowing the scheduled performance of the play to continue. Immediately after, however, the bishop launches into a detailed critique of Fr. Jenkins' position, taking taking him to task for his belief that allowing The Vagina Monologues is in any way comparable to reading in class the works of anti-Christian and anti-Catholic authors such as Nietzsche, Gibbon and Luther, saying that between such works and the play, there is a "difference, not of degree, but of kind."
Nietzsche, Gibbon and Luther, writes the Bishop "have written serious philosophical, theological and literary works, which have influenced Western thought. As such, their work has academic merit and is worthy of serious discussion and critique in a classroom setting. Father Jenkins believes that Eve Ensler's play was written to shock and offend. How can one put such a play, which many consider pornographic, on the level of serious works such as the writings of Gibbon and Luther?"
D'Arcy also points out that it is clear that the students and teachers who are pushing to have the play performed at the university, are doing so not simply for the purpose of an academic discussion, but rather because they passionately believe in the message of the play, which promotes sexual license and immorality in a way that deeply contravenes Catholic teaching.
"Is this not the motivation of the departments that have asked to sponsor the play and the young women who will be acting in it?" asks the bishop rhetorically. "Did they not propose to have multiple performances of the play again this year because they believe it conveys an important message, and they want as many people to see it as possible? In short, people push to have this play performed year after year because they endorse the message it conveys, and they want to be part of the international campaign to promote this message. In allowing performances of the play on campus again this year, whether or not they are officially considered part of the V-Day campaign, Notre Dame continues to cooperate in advancing the campaign's agenda, an agenda which, as I have repeatedly reflected in my several statements over the years, is directly opposed to the dignity of the human person and is antithetical to Catholic teaching.
"The play is an affront to human dignity, as Catholic teaching understands it. If it is performed, it should be denounced. Otherwise, the university appears to endorse it as in some way good and the impression is given that Catholic teaching is one option competing among many. This method places faith in a defensive position and on the margin and is unacceptable at a Catholic university."
The bishop concluded, saying, "I believe that the performing of this play, even with one or more persons willing to present Catholic teaching, is in direct opposition to both the spirit and letter of 'Ex Corde Ecclesiae.' Also, because it depicts and endorses sinful sexual acts in direct opposition to church teaching, I believe its performance to be pornographic and spiritually harmful. This judgment is made after prayer, reflection and dialogue and after preparing several statements over many years."
If Notre Dame goes ahead and allows the performance of the play on campus, it will be the sixth year in a row that it has done so.
To contact Fr. Jenkins:
University of Notre Dame President
Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C.,
jenkins.1@nd.edu
To read the full text of the statement, see:
http://www.diocesefwsb.org/COMMUNICATIONS/statements.htm
posted by Moderator @ 8:30 AM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Hooray for Bishop D'Arcy and Hooray for Our Lady of America who inspires us to live a life of purity.
Wonderful news! Bishop D'Arcy's comments and logic are absolutely on point! Could this be a precursor to him endorsing Our Lady of America, recognizing the holy ground in Rome City, and allowing the sacraments to be celebrated regularly at the Springs again? How wonderful if he acknowledged the Springs and miraculous events at present, such as the sun spinning, the miraculous photos, testimonials of physical and spiritual cures. Maybe he will even appoint a priest to the Springs (perhaps a retired priest). What joy it would be to see the tabernacle door closed, and Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament!
I realize this is very optimistic, but I think Fr. Hoevel may already be inspiring the Bishop (as well as Bishop Noll, Sr. "Millie" and Our Lady). It appears that there may be a chink in the Bishop's armor re: his position on the Springs....praise God.
For the return to purity, and the preservation of the holy ground at the Springs. Our Lady of America intercede for us!
pam j
What in heaven's name is happening to Notre Dame?? They are really going New Age,pornographic and goofy on us.
I know it has been happening for years, but this and other things that should have never been allowed to view or show at a Catholic University has been overlooked too long. This is sad and absurd.
And we wonder why we need St. Benedict?????
It looks like Bishop D'Arcy hasn't forgotten the Legion of Decency has he?
I think Fr. Hoevel and OLA are working on him and other Bishops to take our country's moral leadership back from the rainbow sash moral terrorists.
This is a great move on the part of Bishop D'Arcy. Notre Dame needs to be held accountable. After all, isn't it supposed to be, first and foremost, a CATHOLIC University? Father Jenkins ought to ponder that idea while he packs his bags to leave.
I pray that Pope Benedict XVI addresses this topic along with OLA when he visits the National Shrine and talks to educators during his visit next month. What a great opportunity to acknowledge Our Lady of America! The timing could not be more perfect!
This is fantastic! I am so proud of Bishop D'Arcy for keeping it real with those crazy-craniums over at Notre Dame.
I am sure the Blessed Mother would not approve of such dangerous and destructive programs as this to be performed in HER house. Need we remind the good Father Jenkins just whose name is on the door?
We need Our Lady of America NOW! I am hopeful that some obvious display of OLA will be in DC to greet the Holy Father. Has anyone heard if there will be people there we can rally with or have a procession to honor Our Lady of America there? I haven't been able to get any info. If nothing else, it would be a good practice run for when we finally get to have our bishops enthrone Her.
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