Obama appearance at Catholic college sparks protest

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Comments: 13

Jersey City, N.J., Jan 15, 2008 / 01:11 am (CNA).- The appearance at a Catholic college of a presidential candidate who supports abortion has provoked objections from the Cardinal Newman Society, an organization focusing on Catholic identity and renewal in higher education.

On Wednesday Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama addressed St. Peter’s College, a Jesuit-run institution in Jersey City, New Jersey. College president Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia in a press release before the event said the college welcomed Obama “as we would welcome any presidential candidate who wishes to discuss and debate the ideas and events that are shaping our history.”

The college cooperated with the Obama campaign to provide links for media registration and public participation, with 1,074 individuals reportedly registered through the link.

Students from St. Dominic’s Academy, a girls’ Catholic high school in Jersey City, also performed at the rally in their school uniforms.

The Cardinal Newman Society said today that Obama supports partial birth abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion on demand.

“It’s irresponsible for a Catholic college and its leadership to host a political rally for an aggressively pro-abortion candidate,” said Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society. “Such events curry public attention at the expense of public morality. In so doing, they demonstrate reckless disregard for the most vulnerable human lives and contribute to the general decline of Catholic higher education.”

Reilly urged Catholic colleges and universities to “remain true to their Catholic identity and principles and reject any manipulation by politicians who work against these principles.”

“A college or university is dedicated to seeking and teaching truth, and a Catholic university embraces the truths of the Catholic faith,” he said.

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: tim n
wauwatosa 05/18/2009 01:18 PM EST

Notre Dame is not Jesuit.

Published by: conchita
s.f. ca usa 01/16/2008 01:26 PM EST

mind you, i was converted by jesuits,but that was long before they adore teilhard chardin, kung, any modernist liberal jesuits came out in the 19th century. as one in the good Bible says, "what good has come out of nazareth?" or bethlehem when the Infant Jesus willed to be born in a poor town? what good has the jesuits done? may st. Ignatius of loyola pray for his sons. the jesuits have been the trouble makers ever since, before vatican 2 and after.

Published by: Alberto
Knoxville, TN 01/16/2008 01:25 PM EST

It's a pity how much ignorance there is in this country just as portrayed by this college president. Wake up, lukewarm Catholics. Get down on your knees and pray.

I am at peace, however, for I know that in the end, we win. That is a divine guarantee.

Published by: Lawrence
USA 01/16/2008 07:57 AM EST

Maybe Our Holy Father needs to suppress the Jesuits - permanently and follow suit with others who go against Church teaching. The Jesuits have been the liberals of the Church clergy for far too long and much damage has been done. Yes, there are and were good Jesuits like Father John Hardon and Father Mitch Pacwa, but in the grand scheme of things, the Order needs to go.

Published by: Mary Lou
Morris, MN 01/15/2008 11:10 PM EST

WM's letter, above, is totally correct. "What distinguishes Catholic universities from public universities is--should be--our clear teachings of our Catholic Faith. When godless public institutions mock our Faith, it's understandable, but when Catholic school administrators do it, it's intolerable." Why can't the Bishops issue strong directives to Catholic college administrators?

Published by: rev. Phil Floersh, C.M.
tucson/az/usa 01/15/2008 07:37 PM EST

At last students at a Jesuit university and a local Catholic high-school correctly protest just such an event.

phil

Published by: Chris R
Mercer Island, WA 01/15/2008 06:15 PM EST

Obama makes NARAL look concervative!

Obama is for any type of abortion. Leave it up to the Jesuits to allow this type of speaker.

If the new Superior General of the Jesuits doesn't do something radical with their Order, then it should be immediately surpressed.

When will our Bishops take real action against colleges who call themselves Catholic?

Published by: Paul
Co Kildare, Ireland 01/15/2008 06:14 PM EST

how Ignatius of Loyola must be embarrassed by crowd occupying the order he founded.

Published by: Dwight Cameron
Salem, OR 01/15/2008 05:52 PM EST

It's ok for the denomination of a college,etc. to take a stand for their principles. What is not being said, is that Christians should be taking a stand for Jesus wherever they are for Righteousness and not for evil.

Published by: mg
Anthem 01/15/2008 04:37 PM EST

Does this surprise anyone that it is a Jesuit College. I have long consider any Jesuit College being Catholic. My kids didn't even consider any Jesuit colleges.

Published by: ken wood
hudson oh usa 01/15/2008 02:14 PM EST

What if the good college would have allowed Adolph Hitler, "former" altar boy, to speak on exterminating Jews? In Hitler's twisted hateful mind, he believed he was seeking TRUTH.

Without morality (aka: Holy Mother Church), TRUTH is just another table scrap.

Published by: nancy ryan
kensingtonNH-USA 01/15/2008 01:54 PM EST

The Catholic church has got to get their acttogether and stop inviting guests that spit in the face of everything the catholic church believes in.This man wants change and unity as long as you belive what he believes in.He is pro gay----pro-abortion-----pro-socialismand pro stem cell. Wake up people before it is to late.

Published by: WM
US 01/15/2008 01:47 PM EST

Doesn't anyone within the Church have the authority to issue some enforceable directives to Catholic colleges? After all, what distinguishes Catholic universities from public universities, if not our the clear teachings of our faith? I understand godless public institutions mocking our faith, but when Catholic school administrators do it, it's intolerable. Where have all the Bishops gone?

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