San Diego, Calif., Aug 22, 2008 / 03:15 am
The University of San Diego’s decision to withdraw the appointment of feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether to an endowed chair drew praise and criticism this week. The appointment was reportedly withdrawn because Ruether, who supports abortion, homosexuality, contraception, and calling God “Gaia,” is on the board of directors of the pro-abortion group Catholics for Choice.
Reuther, who teaches part time at Claremont Graduate University in California and writes a column for the National Catholic Reporter, had been invited to hold the Monsignor John R. Portman Chair in Roman Catholic Theology at the University of San Diego (USD) for the academic year 2009-2010, the California Catholic Daily reports.
Lance Nelson, chairman of the university’s Department of Theology and Religious Studies, told the San Diego Union-Tribune that the position involves coming to campus three days a week, teaching a course, giving a public lecture, and mentoring junior faculty.
Nelson said Ruether was recommended in a list of possible candidates recommended in a department vote and approved by the previous dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He said the department was unaware of Ruether’s involvement in Catholics for Choice but stated he didn’t know whether that knowledge would have changed the faculty’s recommendation.