By Kathleen Gilbert
SCRANTON, Pennsylvania, May 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A member of the Catholic Misericordia University’s controversial Diversity Institute has stated his plan to join a homosexuality-promoting religious sect. Scranton’s Bishop Martino, who only recently publicly condemned the Institute’s morally relativistic view of sexuality, has issued a statement warning that the move will incur excommunication from the Catholic Church.
Deacon James Calderone is a board member of the Diversity Institute that invited a homosexualist speaker to the university in February against the wishes of Bishop Martino. Martino subsequently called for the dissolution of the Institute.
Calderone cited the “inclusive” nature of the sect, known as the American Catholic Church, as his reason for leaving the Catholic communion. Calderone says the sect, which is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, welcomes homosexuality.
“For me, the American Catholic Church really takes the best of Catholicism, in my judgment,” Calderone told local reporters recently.
“It’s inclusive. Its ordained ministries are open to men, women, married, single, gay, straight. It does not have those kinds of divisions in terms of its ministries, and its sacraments are open to all, so at communion all are welcome to the table and for baptism as well,” said the deacon.
The diocese’s chancellor, James Earley, issued a statement confirming that Calderone will incur automatic excommunication by joining the sect as he “will be committing a schismatic act.” Also, said Earley, “if long lasting contumacy, obstinacy or the seriousness of the scandal warrant it, dismissal from the clerical state.”
“Our Most Reverend Bishop directs that every Catholic in the Diocese of Scranton avoid any participation whatsoever in this offense against religion and the unity of the Church,” concluded the statement.
Dr. Calderone has also taught in the Social Work Program at Misericordia University for 22 years. As of press time, neither the bishop’s office nor Misericordia University returned LifeSiteNews.com’s inquiries regarding Calderone’s continued employment at the university.
Tension between the Diversity Institute and the bishop’s office began in February, when Bishop Martino issued a stinging criticism of the Institute for inviting homosexual activist Keith Boykin to speak on campus. The bishop said that his flock “should be in no doubt that Misericordia University in this instance is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity.”
The school responded that it was “committed deeply to its Catholic Mission” but is also “an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely.”
Bishop Martino subsequently called for disclosure of the school’s moral teaching on sexuality, as well as the dissolution of the Diversity Institute.
“Students should learn respect for all races and cultures, but that viewpoints that are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching should not be presented under the guise of ‘diversity,’” stated a diocesan press release. “Doing so within a formal structure sanctioned by the institution gives the impression that these viewpoints are acceptable, or that all morality is relative.”
The school refused both of the bishop’s requests.
To contact Misericordia University:
Michael MacDowell, President
301 Lake St.
Dallas, PA 18612
570-674-6215
[email protected]
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Bishop Martino Won’t Meet with Misericordia without Proof of Sound Catholic Sexual Teaching
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031903.html
Bishop Martino Issues Reflection on True Meaning of “Diversity” and “Tolerance”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09030607.html
Bishop Martino Calls for Dissolution of Misericordia U’s Homosexualist “Diversity” Institute
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09022503.html
Bishop Martino Slams Misericordia University for Inviting Homosexual Rights Advocate
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09021709.html