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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Scranton's Bishop Martino Speaks Out on Misericordia University - Again!

I also offer this postscript to those who criticize me for taking public stances that may not be popular or “politically correct,” or may not agree with their own personal notions of what “progressive” Catholic doctrine should be. My job as a Bishop is to promulgate the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church to all the faithful. I will continue to do so. - Bishop Joseph Martino, March 3, 2009
[UPDATED AT 9:34PM, March 4, with statement from Misericordia University, found below the bishop's statement]





The chief shepherd of the Scranton Diocese, Bishop Joseph Martino, has again fired a shot across the bow of Misericordia University where a gay marriage activist, Keith Boykin, spoke at the invitation of the school's "Diversity Institute".

It's interesting to review the actual press release, uploaded sometime late yesterday, and what the secular press is sharing with it's readers. I'll highlight an example below Bishop Martino's statement.

As always: Empahses in bold mine; comments bracketed in red, I call extra attention to one paragraph in blue.

Bishop Issues Reflection on Teaching of Diversity and Tolerance


Bishop Joseph F. Martino has issued a reflection on how the teaching of diversity and tolerance relates to the teaching of the Catholic Church. The reflection follows:

A substantial amount of media coverage and public commentary ensued after I asked Misericordia University to seriously consider discontinuing its Diversity Institute. Students and others in the community related how this Institute has furthered the advancement of tolerance, understanding and harmony between people of different races and cultures.

These are all worthy goals. All people of good will should work toward these ends.

Misericordia University, as a Catholic institution, has a responsibility for helping the community achieve these goals. However, precisely because it is a Catholic institution, it also has a responsibility to transmit Catholic teaching to its students in ways that are not ambiguous or confusing.

As I said in my previous statement, students should learn respect for all races and cultures, but viewpoints that are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching should not be presented under the guise of “diversity.” [great way to explain it]. Doing so within a formal structure sanctioned by the institution gives the impression that these viewpoints are acceptable, or that all morality is relative. [Bingo! And, it is scandal when otherwise ignorant or uncatechized people accept it as good and true since it is coming from an institute of higher learning with the name "Catholic" attached to it!]

As Catholics, we must distinguish between authentic tolerance and an “anything goes” mindset. For example, would the Diversity Institute be justified in hosting a speaker who believes the Holocaust is a myth? Or one who believes slavery is okay because certain people are inferior? Or one who believes women can be exploited because they are the “weaker sex”? There are people out there who actually believe this nonsense, and they would be perfectly willing to come to the campus to tell you why.

Their views are certainly “diverse,” but does that qualify them to be given a platform in the name of tolerance? Or should they be allowed to make a presentation without any retort from the Catholic perspective?

As Catholics, we believe there is an objective, moral Truth – given to us by Jesus Christ. This Truth is timeless, and it cannot be altered by the shifting tides of popular culture [Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever]. If our faith and our actions are not rooted in this Truth, we risk contributing to the “dictatorship of relativism” cited by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in a homily given just prior to his election as Pope Benedict XVI. He said:
“To have a clear faith, according to the creed of the Church, is often labeled as fundamentalism. While relativism, that is, allowing oneself to be carried about with every wind of ‘doctrine,’ seems to be the attitude that is fashionable. A dictatorship of relativism is being constituted that recognizes nothing as absolute and which only leaves the ‘I’ and its whims as the ultimate measure.”

As the Bishop, it is not only my right, but my obligation to ensure that authentic Catholic teaching is being provided in all Catholic institutions in this Diocese, and that viewpoints in opposition to this teaching are not being presented as acceptable alternatives.

I voiced my “absolute disapproval” of Misericordia’s hosting of Keith Boykin not because of his sexual orientation, but because he is a well known proponent of morality that is disturbingly opposed to Catholic teaching, such as homosexual relations and same sex marriage. Furthermore, no presentation was made to balance Mr. Boykin’s viewpoints with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

That is why I asked Misericordia, which asserted that it “is committed deeply to its Catholic mission,” to convey how it teaches Catholic morality regarding sexuality and homosexuality, and to produce concrete evidence. It is regrettable that the University chose to respond with a brief statement without any such evidence.

Nevertheless, I continue to urge Misericordia University to fulfill the four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning. As I pointed out in briefer form in my initial statement on this matter, these are:


1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such;

2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;

3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;

4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.


(Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution on Catholic
Universities)

I also offer this postscript to those who criticize me for taking public stances that may not be popular or “politically correct,” or may not agree with their own personal notions of what “progressive” Catholic doctrine should be. My job as a Bishop is to promulgate the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church to all the faithful. I will continue to do so.



Ok, now re-highlighting that paragraph in blue, that was so compelling and clear, lets pull it out again so we can compare it to an article that appeared in the Northern, Pennsylvania Times-Leader today. Here is Bishop Martino again...

As Catholics, we must distinguish between authentic tolerance and an “anything goes” mindset. For example, would the Diversity Institute be justified in hosting a speaker who believes the Holocaust is a myth? Or one who believes slavery is okay because certain people are inferior? Or one who believes women can be exploited because they are the “weaker sex”? There are people out there who actually believe this nonsense, and they would be perfectly willing to come to the campus to tell you why.

Ok, now what did the Times-Leader convey to people? (don't blink)

Martino offered hypothetical situations in which the institute brings in speakers who say the Holocaust is myth or slavery is OK, then asked, “Their views are certainly ‘diverse,’ but does that qualify them to be given a platform in the name of tolerance?

Yeah, thanks. That really explains it. Sorry if I don't see the same impact. Hopefully, those in the area will consult the diocesan website for the bishop's full statement.

MISERICORDIA RESPONDS:

Misericordia University statement
03-3-09

Misericordia University releases the following statement in response to Bishop Martino's comments on Tuesday, March 3:

Misericordia University is working diligently to schedule a meeting with the Bishop and his delegates so dialogue can be established among representatives of our founders and sponsors, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, university administrators, members of the Board of Trustees and the Diocese. [wouldn't you love to be a fly on that wall. Hey - I could handle being a dust mite for a few hours]

Misericordia University respects the Bishop’s position. [Notice the lack of a "but" here. It ends with a period]. The University looks forward to resolving these concerns directly with Bishop Martino. [In other words, they have learned reasonably well that it is not a good idea to answer him through a local newspaper]

[Here comes the damage control] Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 31 academic majors on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full and part-time formats.

In all seriousness, pray for the archbishop in his efforts to correct the situation there. Let's hope other bishops follow his lead. If the head honchos at Misericordia have an ounce of smarts, they will tell the press, "no comment" and take it offline with him.

Links and related posts (watch for additional links with more coverage)


Previous Posts on Bishop Martino:





The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

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