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61 protested university's refusal to offer radical pro-choice eco-feminist honorary theology chair BY LifeSiteNews.com By Kathleen Gilbert  SAN DIEGO, August 26, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The names of 61 faculty members who protested The Catholic University of San Diego’s (USD) refusal to offer radical pro-choice eco-feminist Rosemary Radford Ruether an honorary Theology chair have recently been made public.  To see the list of names, go to: http://www.brianmcdaniel.org/?p=705’  At least nine of the faculty whose signatures appear on the petition are members of USD’s Theology and Religious studies Department.    The petition included 2,158 signatures overall, demanding that USD re-extend its invitation to Ruether and claiming that the "insult" bodes ill for the practice of "academic freedom" in Catholic universities.  They say the decision to rescind their offer to Ruether of the honorary Monsignor John R. Portman Chair in Roman Catholic Theology for 2009-2010 academic year was for reasons they call "unclear but seemingly ideological."    Ruether, an eco-feminist who refers to God as the feminine "Gaia" and openly advocates abortion and contraception, among many other aberrations from Catholic doctrine, would have taught one undergraduate Theology course and delivered the annual Portman Lecture as part of her honorary position.    USD turned back on its offer after a LifeSiteNews.com article revealing the proposed honor and Ruether’s unorthodox teachings prompted concerned readers to contact the university.  A week after USD officially extended the offer, Pamela Gray Payton, USD Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, stated that the decision was reversed "upon review of the specific purpose" of the honorary chair, which was established in 2000 as a "sign of the Catholic character of the University."  Despite coming under fire, USD administrators have so far stood firm in their reversal.  The Ora et Labora blog continues to accrue signatures for a petition supporting USD in their refusal to honor Ruether.  To sign this petition, go to: http://www.brianmcdaniel.org/?page_id=662  Though the protesters cite Benedict XVI’s address to Catholic educators during his papal visit to the United States in April to support their advocacy of "intellectual freedom," they omit the Pope’s admonition that "Any appeal to the principle of academic freedom in order to justify positions that contradict the faith and the teaching of the Church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission."  See previous coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:  Catholic University of San Diego Stands By Rejection of Pro-Choice Feminist for Theology Chair  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08082205.html  Catholic University of San Diego Changes Mind - Rejects Radical Non-Christian Feminist For Theology Chair  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071814.html  Catholic University of San Diego Honors Radical Non-Christian Feminist With Theology Chair  http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071013.html  http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/naming-names-catholic-u-of-san-diego-faculty-supporters-of-pro-abort-reuthe/

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