Bishop Martino to Misericordia; "Show Me the Money!"
Or in this case, the proof you are authenticly Catholic in what you teach.
The "Energizer Bunny" of American Bishops isn't giving any quarter. Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Diocese of Scranton, knows that Misericordia is looking for a PR opportunity, not a serious dialog. If Misericordia is as commited as they claim, why can't the provide the proof already?, unless there isn't any. If they hope that a meeting without the proof will be enough to let this bad PR blow over, it has been made clear, Bishop Molino won't play that.
The reality is, the more the news gets out that they are anything but authenticly Catholic, the more it will hurt the donations from a large number of alumni that want their money to go to a authenticly Catholic college. A lot of these "Catholic in Name for the Most Part" colleges out there rely on the fact that a majority of donors only see the false veneer they present. They have just enough to provide a front to appear Catholic. They know that if the rot hidden behind the faux Catholic front is revealed, a huge amount of their money will dry up. Be very suspicious of the claims of "Catholic Identity" at most "Catholic Colleges" unless they are among the few on the Cardinal Newman Society list.
By Kathleen Gilbert
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania, March 19, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After Misericordia University provoked a reprimand from Scranton's Bishop Martino by inviting a homosexualist speaker to speak on campus, the bishop has said he will not meet with the school until they disclose a record of the school's moral teaching on sexuality, as Martino had requested.
A diocesan press release yesterday stated that the bishop would not heed Misericordia's request for a meeting "until they comply with his request for a public release of specific information on how the institution teaches Catholic morality regarding sexuality and homosexuality, and how it is adhering to the four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning."
The dispute between the bishop and the school began after Martino condemned Misericordia's decision to host a prominent homosexualist writer, Keith Boykin, for two speaking arrangements at the school. The recent statement explained that it had come to the bishop's attention that Boykin took the opportunity to discuss advocacy for issues such as same-sex "marriage," and to address the intersection of religion and sexuality; Catholic Church teaching on homosexual behavior, however, was not presented.
Martino expressed dismay that the school "in this instance is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity," by hosting a speaker "disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching." The school responded by calling itself "committed deeply to its Catholic Mission" but also "an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely."
Martino then called for the dissolution of the school's Diversity Institute, which hosted the event, and a disclosure of the school's moral teachings on sexuality. Misericordia responded only with a statement that it "welcomes the opportunity to discuss these matters with the bishop and his delegates at their convenience."
But because "the scandal that led to the Bishop's request was a public matter," the bishop explained, "no meeting will be held unless Misericordia complies with the request for a public release of information."
"Since Misericordia has asserted that it 'is committed deeply to its Catholic mission,' Bishop Martino said it is puzzling that the school would not want to assure the public that it is teaching Catholic morality and adhering to the four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning," stated the diocesan release, adding that the bishop believes "the kind of information he is seeking should be easy to compile and readily available."
The bishop also emphasized his obligation and authority as the local prelate to guard the Catholic identity of colleges under his purview.
"In particular, it is his responsibility to ensure that institutions of higher learning which desire to call themselves Catholic are zealous in teaching Catholic faith and morals," read the statement.
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania, March 19, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - After Misericordia University provoked a reprimand from Scranton's Bishop Martino by inviting a homosexualist speaker to speak on campus, the bishop has said he will not meet with the school until they disclose a record of the school's moral teaching on sexuality, as Martino had requested.
A diocesan press release yesterday stated that the bishop would not heed Misericordia's request for a meeting "until they comply with his request for a public release of specific information on how the institution teaches Catholic morality regarding sexuality and homosexuality, and how it is adhering to the four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning."
The dispute between the bishop and the school began after Martino condemned Misericordia's decision to host a prominent homosexualist writer, Keith Boykin, for two speaking arrangements at the school. The recent statement explained that it had come to the bishop's attention that Boykin took the opportunity to discuss advocacy for issues such as same-sex "marriage," and to address the intersection of religion and sexuality; Catholic Church teaching on homosexual behavior, however, was not presented.
Martino expressed dismay that the school "in this instance is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity," by hosting a speaker "disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching." The school responded by calling itself "committed deeply to its Catholic Mission" but also "an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely."
Martino then called for the dissolution of the school's Diversity Institute, which hosted the event, and a disclosure of the school's moral teachings on sexuality. Misericordia responded only with a statement that it "welcomes the opportunity to discuss these matters with the bishop and his delegates at their convenience."
But because "the scandal that led to the Bishop's request was a public matter," the bishop explained, "no meeting will be held unless Misericordia complies with the request for a public release of information."
"Since Misericordia has asserted that it 'is committed deeply to its Catholic mission,' Bishop Martino said it is puzzling that the school would not want to assure the public that it is teaching Catholic morality and adhering to the four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning," stated the diocesan release, adding that the bishop believes "the kind of information he is seeking should be easy to compile and readily available."
The bishop also emphasized his obligation and authority as the local prelate to guard the Catholic identity of colleges under his purview.
"In particular, it is his responsibility to ensure that institutions of higher learning which desire to call themselves Catholic are zealous in teaching Catholic faith and morals," read the statement.
To contact Misericordia University:
Michael MacDowell, President
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
570-674-6215
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Bishop Martino Issues Reflection on True Meaning of "Diversity" and "Tolerance"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030607.html
Bishop Martino Calls for Dissolution of Misericordia U's Homosexualist "Diversity" Institute
Bishop Martino Calls for Dissolution of Misericordia U's Homosexualist "Diversity" Institute
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09022503.html
Bishop Martino Slams Misericordia University for Inviting Homosexual Rights Advocate
Bishop Martino Slams Misericordia University for Inviting Homosexual Rights Advocate
posted by Al @ 3:14 AM
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