Scranton, Pa., Mar 19, 2009 / 23:45 pm
Bishop of Scranton Joseph F. Martino on Wednesday announced that he will not meet with officials from Misericordia University until they make public specific information on the institution’s efforts to teach Catholic morality on sexuality and homosexuality. He also has required the school to discuss how it adheres to Catholic standards of higher education.
In February, the university’s Diversity Institute hosted homosexual rights activist and same-sex “marriage” advocate Keith Boykin, who was invited to speak at the institute’s annual dinner and as part of Black History Month.
According to the Diocese of Scranton, Boykin also addressed the intersection of religion and sexuality in at least one of his talks. Further, the Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexual behavior was not presented at the event.
Bishop Martino had voiced his “absolute disapproval” for the invitation of Boykin, later asking that the school consider closing the Diversity Institute. He then requested the school provide information about its efforts to teach Catholic morality regarding sexuality and homosexuality.