Catholic-affiliated universities are often very good academically — I can think of a couple of estimable Catholic universities in my area. But I would never recommend that anyone attend one, for this reason.
Bishop Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton has recently requested that the University of Scranton – a Catholic and Jesuit university in Pennsylvania – withdraw its invitation to a women’s rights activist and former United States House of Representatives member, Majorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, who is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for a January 28 event at the University of Scranton encouraging women to become active in politics and learn more about the political system.
Why would anyone want to get an education under the thumbs of superstitious medieval clowns in gilt robes? Especially when they’re prone to silencing dissent? (I remember MMM well — she was my representative when I lived in Pennsylvania, until she was defeated by that Gingrichian wave. She’s good. She’s also pro-choice, so of course the Catholic Church hates her.)
I was about to ask if she was pro-choice, because I thought that might be the real reason for booting her.
yup, Aquaria, that’s the reason. From the article:
Further:
Well the good news was the University decided not to accede to the Bishop’s request.
“As Christians, we must be committed to defending human life at every age and every stage from conception to natural death.”
So, when are you gonna get around to that, bishop? Seems to me that there are some alter boys in sore need of protecting from your own damn priests.
Agreed, the university refused. It is a Jesuit run university which means it is not under the control of the Bishop. This is also not the first time the bishop has tried this; in May 2010 he expressed concern about another pro-choice, speaker, Sara Bendoraitis. His predecessor, Joseph Martino, was much more generous in threats (and apparently went when he rode roughshod over even ‘good’ Catholics when closing churches and Catholic schools).
It’s all well and good letting women talk, but not when they start getting uppity.
I attended a Jesuit University (not the one in Scranton). The Jebbies taught us to question everything, including authority, and to think for ourselves. The science program was where my hubby learned a lot about evolution and to be skeptical of many pronouncements about science.
I’m happy to see that the Jebbies ignored the bishop. It gives me some hope for my Alma Mater.
I don’t know about the US, but over here, Catholic Uni students have to take a core curriculum that consists of X lessons in theology and Catholic ethics, and students have to adhere to some kind of Catholic creed, see for example here.
I work at a catholic associated university. However the church has absolutely no influence on policy, it is pretty much name only. Recently there was a debate to remove ‘catholic’ from the name, but in the end it was kept as a corporate name. Other then the name there seems to be no influence on its policy, as abortion is no problem in the university hospital etc…
I’m a graduate of the University of the Scranton and think I received an excellent education. I never experienced the university silencing any beliefs and I’ll be surprised if anyone does. The two reasons I chose the University were 1) for its performance music program, led by a brilliant and talented director and 2) for the widely recognized psychology professors.
Within the psych department most of my time was spent among professors who understood and valued scientific thinking. For example, in neuroscience there was never a problem talking about contentious issues such as free will, consciousness and evolution.
My courses at the U of S actually first introduced me to thinkers like Dawkins and Dennett. So don’t let the bishop fool you! Despite the school’s generally annoying religious views, most of the classes I’ve taken have actually required me to rationally defend my thoughts and hone my thinking skills—ultimately at the expense of my religious beliefs.
I should also note that in Northeast Pennsylvania we have a history of exceptionally meddlesome bishops. Bambera is relatively tame compared to his predecessors.
I attended Georgetown, one of the truly fine Jesuit universities.
It was never under the thumb of the local archbishop.
At the same time Marjorie Margolies, (she had not yet married Ed Mezvinsky) was a reporter for the NBC station in DC. Was always a class act.
“The gravity of this issue speaks to the heart and substance of who we are as Christians. Because of the incarnation of Christ, every human life has value and worth. As Christians, we must be committed to defending human life at every age and every stage from conception to natural death.”
Does that mean that before “the incarnation of Christ” human life did not have value and worth?
I want to reaffirm what sometimeszero has said. As a scranton alum (psych), I think I got a good secular education (minus the 2 theo classes). I was exposed to dawkins & pinker, as well as the value of science.