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Forceful Catholic Response from Bishop and Newman Society Cancels Offensive Play at Catholic Campuses

Bishop John D'Arcy says "the play violates the truth about women, the truth about sexuality"

FORT WAYNE, February 18, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, John D'Arcy, responded to the presentation of a vulgar, anti-Catholic play at the University of Notre Dame. The bishop called the play, 'Vagina Monologues', offensive to women and has criticized the Catholic University for allowing it to be shown on campus. In an authoritative statement published in the diocesan newspaper, the bishop took the University to task saying, "the play violates the truth about women, the truth about sexuality, the truth about male and female and the truth about the human body and also to the teachings of the Church on the human body relative to its purpose and to its status as a temple of the Holy Spirit.. It is in opposition to the highest understanding of academic freedom."

The bishop's condemnation coincides with other strong Catholic protests. The Newman Society has taken out full-page advertisements in USA Today to appear in the greater Baltimore-Washington, Boston and Chicago areas starting February 17. The play is garnering protests and criticism from many quarters resulting in its being banned at Catholic University of America (Washington, DC), Loyola University of New Orleans (LA), St. John's University (Jamaica, NY), St. Joseph's College (Rensselaer, IN), the University of Portland (OR)and the University of St. Francis (Joliet, IL).

In what is becoming a war on Catholic campuses between secular and traditional Catholic camps, the play has caused an uproar. The Newman Society has, with some success, urged supporters of traditional values to write, call and e-mail the universities. Productions have been canceled at 16 Catholic colleges and universities this year. However, the play is still expected to appear in at least 27 Catholic campuses this month and next. Ironically, the plays are being produced to benefit a campaign called, "V-Day", which raises money for groups opposing violence against women. The Notre Dame production was staged by the university's program in gender studies. One beneficiary of the events last Friday and Saturday at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, was Planned Parenthood.

At least one scene in the play recounts the lesbian seduction of a minor which is portrayed as the child's "salvation". Said Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Newman Society, "I am appalled and embarrassed that any Catholic institution would present this play, especially in the midst of the clergy sex abuse scandal. Whether the perpetrator is a lesbian woman or a wayward priest, seduction of a minor is no one's 'salvation.' I would hope that word has a much different meaning for Catholic students and educators."

To view Newman Society Advertisement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/

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