University in hot water with Bishop Brandt for inviting Kmiec to speak
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Bishop Lawrence Brandt / Douglas Kmiec

Greensburg, Pa., Oct 23, 2008 / 08:05 pm (CNA).- The U.S. presidential election is having influence in ways previously not imagined. Upon learning that Prof. Douglas Kmiec, a Catholic professor who has endorsed Barack Obama for president, was invited to speak at Seton Hill College, Bishop Lawrence Brandt issued a statement expressing his displeasure and saying that Kmiec “distorts Catholic teaching.”

According to Bishop Brandt, he received word on October 21 that Seton Hill University had extended an invitation to Prof. Douglas Kmiec to speak on its campus regarding faith and politics.

Although Seton Hill is in his diocese, Bishop Brandt said that he tried “in vain to reach the President of Seton Hill, Dr. JoAnne Boyle.”

Bishop Brandt took issue with inviting Kmiec because he believes that the professor “distorts Catholic teaching by making it synonymous with his own personal views.”

Kmiec has made the case that it is possible for Catholics to support Barack Obama in good conscience, in spite of the senator’s stance on abortion. The law professor argues that Obama’s plan to reduce abortions by supporting pregnant mothers and promoting sex education is a legitimate plan that Catholics can support.

In answer to Kmiec’s claim, the Bishop of Greensburg said, “There is no ‘other’ Catholic position except the one which appears in authentic Church documents. His misrepresentations of Catholic doctrine do a grave disservice to the Catholic community and far beyond.”

Bishop Brandt also criticized the university for giving a platform to Kmiec, citing the U.S. bishops’ document “Catholics in Political Life,“ which says that “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”

He further added, “I seriously question the good judgment of the University administration in allowing him a platform on campus.” “Is it any wonder then that not only the demonstrators at the event, but many others as well, consider his presentation an offensive trivialization of the institution's declared Catholic identity!”

CNA was able to reach Becca Baker, the Associate Director of Media Relations for the university, who said that the university was aware of the bishop’s statement. Ms. Baker said that statement would be issued, but it was not received by CNA before press time.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: cathUalum
Chicago, IL 11/01/2008 09:55 AM EST
Having Mr. Kmiec speak is exactly the kind of thing Catholic Universities should be doing. Receiving a college education is all about analyzing differing viewpoints to determine your own opinion and then be able to defend it. I applaud Seton Hall and disapprove of the Bishop interferring in education.
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Published by: RICHARD RIZZO
NORTH EAST, PA. 10/27/2008 11:55 AM EST
BISHOP BRANDT IS CORRECT TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE UNIVERSITY. ALL CATHOLIC PRELATES, CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS AND CATHOLIC PHILOSOPHERS SHOULD ALL BE SINGING OFF THE SAME SHEET OF MUSIC IN REGARDS TO THE SUBJECT OF ABORTION. NO DEVIATIONS. OTHERWISE THEY ARE GIVING SCANDAL. AND SCANDAL IS NOT WHAT THE LAITY NEEDS FOR IT'S DIVISIVE.
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Published by: antran
Atlanta GA 30310 USA 10/24/2008 07:20 AM EST
A Catholic professot teaching at a Caholic university who speaks openly against Catholic bishops should not be invited by Seton Hall to give support to abortion and to Senator Obama. It is incongrous to say the least.
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Published by: Dan
Washington, DC 10/23/2008 09:38 PM EST
I'm not seeing these remarks on the diocesan web page. It might've been taken down.
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Published by: James
Washington 10/23/2008 08:56 PM EST
This story is no longer on the website. It must have been taken down.
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