FORT WAYNE, May 3, 2004, (LifeSiteNews.com) – Bishop John M. D’Arcy has twice in as many weeks, exercised his episcopal authority to prohibit pro-abortion speakers at educational institutions in his diocese. Just last Thursday, the University of St. Francis withdrew an invitation to pro-abortion doctor and media commentator, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, when the bishop objected to her presence.
Today, the diocese has again issued a statement to the effect that pro-abortion speakers, even those as important as the governor of the state, are not welcome to speak to students at St. Joseph Catholic high school. This time the members of the department of theology of Saint Joseph High School alerted the bishop to the fact that the school’s administration had invited Governor Joseph Kernan, an alumnus of the school, to speak at this year’s commencement. Unlike the university, the high school is directly under the jurisdiction of the diocese and the bishop has instructed the school to withdraw the invitation.
Kernan, Indiana’s first Catholic governor, has been criticized by pro-life groups such as LifeDynamics for his pro-abortion position. Kernan is currently facing an election race against a strong pro-life candidate, Eric Miller, and was contacted by Bishop D’Arcy about his views on abortion. The bishop wrote, “Governor Kernan in conversation with me some years ago, as well as in recent press accounts, made clear his convictions about unborn life. Unfortunately, these convictions are not reflected in public policy regarding the legal protection of the unborn.”
Said Bishop D’Arcy, “A bishop is bound to speak the truth in his actions as well as in his words. Saint Joseph High School is a Catholic school and stands for the truths of the Church. We expect our students and ourselves to apply the truths of our faith to the decisions of daily life.”
To read about Bishop D’Arcy’s previous pro-life/pro-family actions: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/apr/04042905.html
Forceful Catholic Response from Bishop and Newman Society Cancels Offensive Play at Catholic Campuses: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04021803.html