Scranton, Pa., Apr 8, 2009 / 04:10 am
Following a report of contraceptives being sold at a Pennsylvania Catholic university, the bishops of the Diocese of Scranton have asked the four Catholic institutions of higher learning in the diocese to provide information on their student health services to ensure that there are no practices which would violate Catholic teaching.
Bishop Joseph F. Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty requested the information in an April 1 letter to Holy Cross Father Thomas J. O’Hara, resident of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Anne Munley, president of Marywood University in Scranton; Michael A. MacDowell, president of Misericordia University in Dallas; and Jesuit Father Scott R. Pilarz, president of The University of Scranton.
According to an April 3 press release from the diocese, the bishops’ letter explains that their inquiry was prompted by a March 25 article in the student newspaper at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia. The article said that the university finds the “middle ground between Church doctrine and student healthcare.”
The article reported that the university’s director of student health services said the school’s location offers enough convenience and opportunity to encourage students to purchase condoms. Describing the students’ situation as “fortunate,” she also discussed the use of oral contraceptives.