MithLuin Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 From another Catholic college, not so large or famous as ND, but still. What I am reproducing here are e-mails that were broadcast to the entire college community. I've attempted to remove names, since posting them in this public forum was done without consulting the authors. But since I am not currently a student at this institution nor do I have anything to do with graduation (and I got one), I figured it was meant for public discussion. [indent]Dear [College] Community, As many of you may know, some students are planning to wear cut-out booties on their graduation gowns to support the pro-life movement. While we fully support their right to express their views, we feel that the option should be available to demonstrate other political views. Towards this goal, we will make available a pro-choice symbol on the morning of graduation. If you are interested in wearing one, please contact [e-mail]. Please know that there is no intention to stir controversy, but we do not believe that it is just to express only one opinion. The [college] community values diversity and in keeping with our liberal arts tradition--encouraging discussion and debate--we respect the ideas and opinions of everyone on campus. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [3 students][/indent] A follow-up was sent later in the day by one of the faculty: [indent]Letting babies live vs. being aborted is a matter of morals, not politics. An expression of support of life is consistent with Catholicism (the manifestation of Christ’s teaching) and should be welcomed. The truth about the sanctity of God-created life supersedes opinion. Professor and Chairperson of Chemistry [/indent] And the school responded officially with this statement: [indent]Dear Campus Community, Earlier today you may have received a message regarding students who want to display on their mortarboards or gowns symbols reflecting pro-life or pro-choice positions on abortion. We all recognize this as a very important issue and know that individuals hold differing opinions. The teachings of the Catholic Church are very clear on this issue, holding that all life is sacred from the unborn to the elderly. Commencement, however, is not the appropriate forum for a constructive conversation on a matter that is so important. Rather, Commencement is a time to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. Our expectation is that all our graduation ceremonies will be a celebration of our nearly 800 graduates and that we will not use it to create political and moral divide. Commencement is a culminating day in the life of our campus community. Congratulations on achieving this important milestone in your life. We look forward to celebrating with you. [/indent] I imagine this is fallout related to Obama's speech at Notre Dame, since their own speaker isn't anyone so controversial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintOlaf Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote]Commencement, however, is not the appropriate forum for a constructive conversation on a matter that is so important. Rather, Commencement is a time to celebrate the academic achievements of our students.[/quote] I admire the attempts to make such a statement for life, but this quote sums it up the best, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Many colleges do not allow Commencement robes/hats to be altered in any manner. For example, you can have things written on your hat, etc. They want to make sure that everyone is appropriately dressed and representing the school in a proper fashion. All this school had to do to keep from having a controversy is to say from the beginning that they do not allowed alterations to the robes/hats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MithLuin Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 Whereas, at many other schools, people do 'embellish' the robes - if they haven't had a policy on this in the past, now might have seemed the wrong time to introduce it. I do know that they pride themselves on how special their graduation is, but I haven't been, so I wouldn't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='MithLuin' post='1871970' date='May 20 2009, 04:32 PM'][indent]Dear Campus Community, Earlier today you may have received a message regarding students who want to display on their mortarboards or gowns symbols reflecting pro-life or pro-choice positions on abortion. We all recognize this as a very important issue and know that individuals hold differing opinions. The teachings of the Catholic Church are very clear on this issue, holding that all life is sacred [b]from the unborn to the elderly[/b]. Commencement, however, is not the appropriate forum for a constructive conversation on a matter that is so important. Rather, Commencement is a time to celebrate the academic achievements of our students. Our expectation is that all our graduation ceremonies will be a celebration of our nearly 800 graduates and that we will not use it to create political and moral divide. Commencement is a culminating day in the life of our campus community. Congratulations on achieving this important milestone in your life. We look forward to celebrating with you. [/indent][/quote] Yeah, that's some great verbal engineering. If that's when life's sacred, we can contracept, do IVF, clone, and commit abortion at certain stages (depending on how they want to define unborn). We can also abuse or murder the elderly over a certain age for whatever reason we choose. It's so ridiculous that if you read between the lines, it's saying, "we're inviting an offensive, controversial speaker to campus, but if you are offended or react by inciting controversy, then that's your fault, not ours." If you want the event to be one of celebration free from controversy, don't invite a controversial speaker! I imagine this is fallout related to Obama's speech at Notre Dame, since their own speaker isn't anyone so controversial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='Raphael' post='1872013' date='May 20 2009, 05:23 PM']Yeah, that's some great verbal engineering. If that's when life's sacred, we can contracept, do IVF, clone, and commit abortion at certain stages (depending on how they want to define unborn). We can also abuse or murder the elderly over a certain age for whatever reason we choose.[/quote] I saw the errors in their language use as well. Unborn to elderly. How about from conception to natural death? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) nm Edited May 20, 2009 by Brother Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='SaintOlaf' post='1871975' date='May 20 2009, 05:35 PM']I admire the attempts to make such a statement for life, but this quote sums it up the best, in my opinion.[/quote] Couldn't disagree more. Defending life is a priority that's way higher than a commencement speech. If I wanted to listen to a famous person speak so badly, I'd type "Famous speeh" into the search bar at youtube. Life is something worth defending at every possible turn, however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) Besides, the university really made the first statement by inviting the speaker in the first place. It's entirely hypocritical to say that commencement is not a place for this kind of discussion, for they have already started the discussion. Pro-lifers are merely responding. Edited May 20, 2009 by XIX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='XIX' post='1872040' date='May 20 2009, 05:03 PM']Couldn't disagree more. Defending life is a priority that's way higher than a commencement speech. If I wanted to listen to a famous person speak so badly, I'd type "Famous speeh" into the search bar at youtube. Life is something worth defending at every possible turn, however.[/quote] [quote name='XIX' post='1872043' date='May 20 2009, 05:05 PM']Besides, the university really made the first statement by inviting the speaker in the first place. It's entirely hypocritical to say that commencement is not a place for this kind of discussion, for they have already started the discussion. Pro-lifers are merely responding.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='XIX' post='1872043' date='May 20 2009, 06:05 PM']Besides, the university really made the first statement by inviting the speaker in the first place. It's entirely hypocritical to say that commencement is not a place for this kind of discussion, for they have already started the discussion. Pro-lifers are merely responding.[/quote] Maybe I missed something, but do we even know who the speaker at this college is? If this university does not have a prominent abortion supporter coming to speak, then no, they did not start the conversation. In that case, I'd think that the school could legitimately say no to both sides sporting something indicating if they are pro-life or pro-abortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='MissScripture' post='1872056' date='May 20 2009, 05:16 PM']Maybe I missed something, but do we even know who the speaker at this college is? If this university does not have a prominent abortion supporter coming to speak, then no, they did not start the conversation. In that case, I'd think that the school could legitimately say no to both sides sporting something indicating if they are pro-life or pro-abortion.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Sheesh... why not just have the chancellor speak like I had at my college? Are they selling tickets to this event? It's an academic commencement, not "Meet the Press." PS I'm crabby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MithLuin Posted May 20, 2009 Author Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) THIS IS A DIFFERENT COLLEGE - it's not Notre Dame in South Bend. Just a typical small liberal arts Catholic college. Their Commencement speaker is from CRS - and last I checked, Catholic Relief Services is [i]not[/i] a pro-abortion organization! Hehe, for my school, we had the outgoing football coach give the commencement address when I graduated. When my sister graduated from FUS, they had the bishop of Ireland who had been a secretary for several popes. He had some neat stories - gave me more respect for Paul VI (whom I didn't really know all that much about, to be honest). Edited May 20, 2009 by MithLuin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XIX Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 [quote name='MissScripture' post='1872056' date='May 20 2009, 07:16 PM']Maybe I missed something, but do we even know who the speaker at this college is?[/quote] huh. Well that's what I get for not reading the topic more thoroughly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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