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Catholic U. Students and Staff Complain About Catholic Teaching in Grad Speech

by Hilary White

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, May 24, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Graduates and their families got an unexpected earful of Catholic doctrine at the graduation ceremonies of St. Thomas University this weekend. Ben Kessler, a well-known student recently honoured by peers and faculty as Tommie of the Year, spoke of the "selfishness" of birth control and extra-marital sex.

An audible roar of protest erupted when Kessler asked, "What in society is selfish? I would point to the common practice of birth control…Birth control is selfish." On a videotape of the speech obscene comments can be heard as well as shouts of "Way to go Matt!" whistles and cheers. The tape shows numerous students and parents leaving the ceremony. Kessler was interrupted several times by his audience but carried on.

Kessler was one of St. Thomas' more celebrated undergraduates. A defensive tackle on the St. Thomas football team with a 4.0 grade-point average majoring in philosophy and business, he is also an undergraduate seminarian with plans for the Catholic priesthood.

Kessler's comments included references to some actions by staff who, earlier this year protested a university policy that prohibited unmarried couples from travelling together for school-sponsored trips. He also took aim at some of the unruly behaviour of students, including a food fight that required campus security to break up.

"We find true hope," he said, "by completely giving of ourselves, emptying ourselves into our community. The only way that human beings…can be truly happy… is by emptying ourselves. And I don't mean the happiness of instant pleasure, instant satisfaction, I mean true, lasting happiness."

Kessler praised the "impressive group of young people" who were graduating and exhorted his listeners to have hope for the future.

While none of his remarks were contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the school has issued an apology and forced Kessler to apologize. Kessler said in a written statement Monday, "Instead of providing hope to all, I offended some by my words and by my decision to speak those words at commencement."

St. Thomas president, Fr. Dennis Dease said he regretted that "graduates and their families and guests were offended by Mr. Kessler's remarks."

According to some Catholic commentators, the reaction of objecting students and parents indicates that such frankness about Catholic moral teaching is overdue at the school.

Domenico Bettinelli, editor of Catholic World News wrote, "Kessler was preaching the Gospel and if those students had heard a smidgen of that Gospel during their 4-years at the college perhaps it wouldn't have come as a shock during commencement."

Watch the video (WARNING: some offensive language): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sbPSPAxBnk

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