On October third we posted the following, which we'd gotten from STOPP (Stop Planned Parenthood) LifeNet: From Stop Planned Parenthood (STOPP): Holy Cross invites Planned Parenthood to Teen Pregnancy Institute
Bishop McManus of Worcester issued a statement yesterday (October 10th)
Teen Pregnancy Conference Statement
A controversy has arisen at the College of the Holy Cross that has resulted from the College’s renting space for a conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. The conference involves workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Both organizations promote positions on artificial contraception and abortion that are contrary to the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
I have received numerous complaints from people who are shocked and outraged that a Catholic institution like Holy Cross would have anything to do with such groups. They have appealed to me to ask Father Michael McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross, to revoke the College’s agreement to rent space to the Massachusetts Teen Alliance. I have done so.
As Bishop of Worcester, it is my pastoral and canonical responsibility to determine what institutions can properly call themselves “Catholic.” This is a duty that I do not take lightly since to be a Catholic institution means that such an institution conducts its mission and ministry in accord with Catholic Church teaching, especially in cases of faith and morals.
The moral teaching of the Catholic Church on respect for life at all stages of its development is manifestly clear. Life is a fundamental good that must be protected and respected from the moment of fertilization to natural death. This teaching is so basic and important that it provides the foundation upon which much of the Church’s moral and social doctrine rests. It is beyond modification and compromise.
Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice are notorious for their policies and practices that directly reject the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception and abortion. The College of the Holy Cross should recognize that any association with these groups can create the situation of offering scandal understood in its proper theological sense, i.e., an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. Certainly it is understandable how people of good will could interpret the college’s allowing presentations to be made by such groups as truly scandalous.
I strongly contend that the confusion and upset to the Catholic faithful and others that flow from the perception that the administration of the College of the Holy Cross supports positions contrary to the fundamental moral teaching of the Church must be avoided.
Unfortunately the Bishop has no direct jurisdiction over Holy Cross; he cannot order them to cancel the event.
And as you might expect, Holy Cross has politely thumbed it's nose at his request:
Bishop Rebukes Holy Cross Worcester Telegram & Gazette News
Holy Cross officials stressed that the school, a Jesuit institution, is not affiliated in any way with the conference, but added that it will fulfill its contractual obligations.
“Holy Cross in no way supports or endorses Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or other organizations that engage in or promote practices contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church,” said the Rev. Michael C. McFarland, school president.
He said the college “fully affirms and promotes” Catholic teaching on abortion and “the sanctity of all human life,” but he added that the meeting organized by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy will help professionals address health matters affecting at-risk youth.
Meanwhile, Patricia Quinn, senior director of public policy and programs at Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy, said the organization was surprised by the uproar, considering that the group’s annual meeting has been held at Holy Cross since 2001.
The first link at the top of this post has addresses, including email, if you'd like to express your opinion to the Holy Cross administration.
I think that Vatican III is long overdue.
Posted by: nancy buckley | October 11, 2007 at 11:52 PM
On visit to Ireland, Pope asked of local bishop: How come there are no Jesuits here?
Bishop: We attribute that to the power of prayer and fasting.
Nothing has changed.
Posted by: Jim Laverty | October 31, 2007 at 01:22 PM