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CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY PRINCIPAL SLAMS RENOWNED CATHOLIC PROF

Intolerant of Peter Kreeft's defense of Catholic teachings on homosexuality

TORONTO, February 4, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Principal of the Catholic University of St. Michael's College (USMC) - an affiliate of the University of Toronto - has denounced a lecture by world renowned Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft.

USMC Principal, Professor Mark McGowan, who was earlier embroiled in controversy over his support for a 'gay and lesbian' group at USMC, said in an open letter in the university's student newspaper, The Mike, that "The Kreeft lecture greatly detracted from the inclusive and respectful environment we are trying to nurture at St. Michael's." The open letter was signed with "Principal's Advisory Committee of Sexual Orientation & Professor mark G. McGowan, Principal of SMC".

The pro-life student's group at USMC invited Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., to speak at the university. Kreeft, a professor of philosophy at Boston College since 1965 and a regular contributor to several Christian publications, is in wide demand as a speaker at conferences, and is the author of over 40 books; he is widely acclaimed as one of the leading Christian apologists of our time.

Hilary White of Campaign Life Catholic who attended the November 8 Kreeft lecture said that Dr. Kreeft merely "expounded on Catholic teaching regarding homosexuality in answer to pointed questions by homosexual activists who attended the event." White explained that "Letters of complaint on the lecture were sent by homosexual activists who demonstrated that they had not listened to the lecture, wherein Professor Kreeft distinguished between the sinfulness of homosexual sex and the love due to a person afflicted with homosexual inclinations."

Some of the questions and comments from the activists were notable for their intolerance and strong ideological slant. One questioner even commented that the Aztecs bloody human sacrifices of thousands of victims on one day could be "a very beautiful ritual".

McGowan quoted from the USMC "statement on inclusiveness" which was approved by the governing body of USMC on July 22, 2002. "St. Michael's is committed to doing everything it can do to ensure that people of all backgrounds regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality will feel welcome in its midst." In his open letter, McGowan states that "Many members of the audience felt belittled, patronized, and excluded from membership in the Body of Christ because of their sexual orientation."

Last year McGowan was implicated in the USMC controversy over the application of a 'gay and lesbian' group on the Catholic campus. The group, Queers at St. Mike's College, claimed to have McGowan's support for their application for official group status. Moreover, McGowan was seen to have a rainbow triangle (the symbol of the homosexual campus movement) affixed to his office door.

To order a recording of the talk and questions and answer session see:
http://www.lifesite.net/shop/tapes/index.htm

Hear a Real Audio excerpt from a previous Peter Kreeft talk in Toronto
http://www.lifesite.net:7070/ramgen/Kreeft/kreefconv256.rm (high speed)
http://www.lifesite.net:7070/ramgen/Kreeft/kreefconv56.rm (56k)

Peter Kreeft website http://www.peterkreeft.com/

To express your concerns:

Chancellor of St. Michael's University
Toronto Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic
Catholic Pastoral Centre
1155 Yonge street, Suite 502
Toronto, Ontario, M4T 1W2
Telephone: (416) 934-0606, ext. 609;
FAX: (416) 934-3452

St. Michael's College Principal
Mark G. McGowan
Rm. 127 Odette Hall
(416) 926-7102


See related LifeSite coverage:
HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVIST GROUP TO RECEIVE APPROVAL AT TORONTO CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/sep/020926a.html
HOMOSEXUAL CLUB FAILS TO ACHIEVE CLUB STATUS AT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/oct/02100901.html

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