By John-Henry Westen
DETROIT, Michigan, February 21, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The University of Detroit Mercy claims it is a Catholic institution. Their web page says, “The University of Detroit Mercy (UDM), a Catholic university in the Jesuit and Mercy traditions . . . seeks to integrate the intellectual, spiritual, ethical and social development of our students.” (https://www.udmercy.edu/mission/index.htm )
Nevertheless, the same “Catholic” University is encouraging its student’s to work with abortion agencies such as Planned Parenthood. Their career suggestions have not gone unnoticed and a local Planned Parenthood branch is boasting of having hired a UDM student.
The “Career Education Center” UDM website lists Planned Parenthood as a career opportunity for students. Pointing to the website for Planned Parenthood, the UDM career website suggests that Planned Parenthood “Lists dozens of clinical and non-clinical positions at Planned Parenthood clinics and similar organizations.” (see: https://www.udmercy.edu/cecc/diverse.htm )
Planned Parenthood is the leading abortion provider in the United States. In 2005, the organization ended the lives of more than 255,015 children by surgical abortion alone. That number does not include the vast number of deaths caused by Planned Parenthood’s sale of chemical abortion drugs, the morning after pill and abortifacient contraceptives.
The local Planned Parenthood branch boasted in their Winter 2005 newsletter that it had just hired a UDM graduate. Planned Parenthood of East Central Michigan welcomed its new staff member Carol Sodman-Elliott who according to the newsletter works as a “clinician”. “She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Detroit-Mercy,” says the publication ‘Choice News’. The newsletter adds: “Carol considers herself ‘terribly pro-choice’”.
The UDM President – a Jesuit priest – Rev. Gerard L. Stockhausen, does not seem overly concerned by the Catholic University’s ties to the largest abortion provider in the US. Nearly a year ago LifeSiteNews.com and Catholic World News reported that a Catholic society dedicated to ensuring fidelity at Catholic colleges pointed out that UDM was linking to Planned Parenthood on the UDM website. (https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/mar/060317a.html )
Now, in addition to links to Planned Parenthood, the Catholic university’s website links to the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL).
The UDM Women’s Studies web page lists under “Professional Associations” Planned Parenthood, which UDM describes as the “Best known pro-choice organization in the U.S.”. The web page also links to the pro-abortion group National Organization for Women (NOW) which recently failed in its decade long attempt to have pro-life activism outlawed under racketeering laws. (see https://research.udmercy.edu/academic/resources.php?navID=2&disciplineID=60 )
In addition, the Women’s Studies page on ‘Reproductive Rights and Sexuality’ links to “NARAL Pro-Choice America”. (https://research.udmercy.edu/academic/resources.php?disciplineID=60&navID=6&listID=295 )
LifeSiteNews.com reported last week that two UDM professors have boldly placed stickers on their offices doors indicating their support for abortion. (https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/feb/07021501.html )
To express concerns to the Catholic leadership in the diocese:
Cardinal Adam Maida
c/o Denise Parish
[email protected]
313-237-5816
Bishop John Quinn
[email protected]
c/o – 313-237-5783