‘Monologues’ Planned at 41 Catholic Colleges
(Last Update: 1/19/04)
Cardinal Newman Society has launched its annual protest of the “Vagina Monologues,” a vulgar play that is reportedly planned for 41 Catholic campuses beginning in February 2004.
That number, which is likely to increase in coming weeks, is already more than the 32 Catholic colleges and universities that hosted or sponsored the production last spring. It was canceled last year at another 14 colleges and universities, thanks in part to the vocal opposition of Cardinal Newman Society and its members.
The Campaign has already had an impact. A student organizing the play at the Catholic University of America (DC) has canceled plans thanks to the clear opposition of Very Rev. David O'Connell, CM, University President. St. Joseph's College (IN) has banned the play, and the student previously identified as the event organizer has confirmed that there are, in fact, no plans to present the play. The University of Detroit Mercy is no longer listed as a host or sponsor of the play for reasons that are not yet known.
The play is a collection of monologues by women describing their personal stories, replete with vulgarity, frequent use of “vagina” to represent women and femininity, and explicit discussions of sexuality and sexual encounters including lesbian activity and masturbation.
In one scene, a woman describes her seduction by a lesbian woman when she was 16 years old, declaring it her “salvation” and an important coming-of-age experience. The older woman leads the girl into sex by serving her alcohol and abusing her authority as an elder.
“As a Catholic, I am especially appalled and embarrassed that any Catholic institution would present this play in the wake of the priest sex-abuse scandals,” CNS president Patrick Reilly wrote to the presidents of all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities. “Whether the perpetrator is portrayed as a lesbian woman or a gay priest, it is equally disrespectful to the victims of abuse when this crime is declared ‘salvation.’”
Most disturbing are reported plans to present the play at Loyola University of New Orleans, where the president, Rev. Bernard Knoth, S.J., was recently removed because of sex abuse charges, and at Boston College, located in the diocese most affected by the priest sex-abuse scandals.
CNS is urging concerned Catholics to contact each of the college presidents and ask them to confirm that productions are planned and then put a stop to them. Faculty and students also are urged to help Cardinal Newman Society’s “Reclaim Saint Valentine’s Day Campaign”, in partnership with LoveMatters.com and the Human Life Alliance of Minnesota, by flooding Catholic campuses with student-oriented publications promoting chastity and respect for human life. For more information on how to help, including a sample letter to college presidents and contact information for the colleges and universities, use the links below.
[ Planned “Monologues” productions on Catholic campuses ]
[ Text of 12/15/03 letter from Cardinal Newman Society to Catholic college presidents ]
[ Sample letter to Catholic college presidents ]
[ Reclaim Saint Valentine’s Day Campaign ]
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Planned “Monologues” Productions on Catholic Campuses
Productions of the “Vagina Monologues” are planned beginning February 2004 at the following 41 Catholic colleges and universities, according to the sponsoring organization V-Day. V-Day licenses the play to college students and faculty for presentation during the months surrounding Saint Valentine’s Day (February 14).
CAUTION: A listing by V-Day generally indicates that a college student or faculty member has requested permission to produce “Vagina Monologues” and has made plans for a production in 2004. It does not necessarily indicate whether college officials are aware of a planned performance and have given their formal approval—which may or may not be required, depending on rules specific to each college and university. Nevertheless, the V-Day list is the most accurate information available in advance of the actual events. Last year’s attempts to confirm planned performances through college presidents were problematic: several presidents denied that productions were planned for their campuses, when in fact they were being organized by students and/or faculty.
Cardinal Newman Society will list planned performances that are associated with Catholic colleges and universities even when administrators claim no official support for the events. On-campus productions should not be allowed even when they are not formally approved or funded by the college or university administration, and off-campus performances that are sponsored by student clubs or that are otherwise identified with the college or university are also inappropriate. A Catholic college or university should not host or sponsor this play—with sponsorship meaning any use of a college’s or university’s funds, facilities, or name. Organizers of such events should be denied opportunities to promote the play to students and faculty.
We have contacted all Catholic college presidents and asked them to investigate whether performances are planned. Cardinal Newman Society post changes to the list as new information becomes available. Please notify Cardinal Newman Society at info@cardinalnewmansociety.org of any updates.
Details of each planned production, including the names of “Monologues” organizers, are posted at www.vday.org. On the V-Action page, click on “find a v-event near you”, then go to the link to search for planned events.
Planned “Vagina Monologues” Sites
Source: V-Day organization as of 1/19/04.
Bellarmine University (KY)
Dr. Joseph J. McGowan, President
2001 Newburg Rd., Louisville, KY 40205
Phone: (502) 452-8000
E-mail: jmcgowan@bellarmine.edu
Boston College (MA)
Rev. William Leahy, S.J., President
18 Old Colony Rd., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Phone: (502) 452-8000
E-Mail: William.leahy.1@bc.edu
Carlow College (PA)
Sr. Grace Ann Geibel, RSM, President
3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 578-6123
Carroll College (MT)
Dr. Thomas J. Trebon, President
1601 N. Benton Ave., Helena, MT 59625
Phone: (800) 992-3648 x4401
Catholic University of America (DC)
Student "organizer" confirms that plans were canceled; president says "Vagina Monologues" not welcome at CUA.
College of the Holy Cross (MA)
Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J., President
1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610
Phone: (508) 793-2011
E-mail: mmcfarla@holycross.edu
College of St. Rose (NY)
Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, President
432 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203
Phone: (518) 454-5121
College of Santa Fe (NM)
Dr. Linda N. Hanson, President
1600 St. Michael’s Dr., Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 473-6234
E-mail: president@csf.edu
DePaul University (IL) – Main Campus (Chicago) & Barat Campus (Lake Forest)
Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., President
1 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 362-8000
E-mail: jminogue@shrike.depaul.edu
Dominican University (CA)
Dr. Joseph R. Fink, President
50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: (415) 485-3200
E-mail: jrf@dominican.edu
Edgewood College (WI)
Dr. James A. Ebben, President
1000 Edgewood College Dr., Madison, WI 53711
Phone: (608) 663-2262
E-mail: ebben@edgewood.edu
Emmanuel College (MA)
Sr. Janet Eisner, SND, President
400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
Phone: (617) 735-9825
Fordham University (NY) - Lincoln Center Campus & Rose Hill Campus
Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President
441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY 10458
Phone: (718) 817-3000
E-mail (c/o executive secretary): lmccormick@fordham.edu
Georgetown University (DC) – Main Campus & Law Center
Dr. John DeGioia, President
37th & O Sts. NW, Washington, DC 20057
Phone: (202) 687-4134
E-mail: president@georgetown.edu
Holy Names College (CA)
Sr. Rosemarie Nassif, SSND, President
3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland, CA 94619
Phone: (510) 436-1000
John Carroll University (OH)
Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., President
20700 N. Park Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118
Phone: (216) 397-1886
E-mail: eglynn@jcu.edu
Loyola College (MD)
Rev. Harold Ridley, S.J., President
4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210
Phone: (410) 617-2201
E-mail: vweller@loyola.edu
Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J., President
1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Phone: (310) 338-2775
E-mail: rlawton@lmu.edu
Loyola University of Chicago (IL) – Stritch School of Medicine (Chicago), Rome Center (Italy)
Rev. Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., President
Phone: (312) 915-6400
E-mail: mgaranz@luc.edu
Father Michael Garanzini, S.J., President has responded to a protester: "The play, Vagina Monologues, is sponsored by several different departments and they use sections from it to introduce topics for reflection. It obviously resonates with the experience of many women today. Promoting homosexuality is not an aim of the play. Besides, one IS homosexual or not, just as one is Caucasian or not. No one is induced or talked into it."
Loyola University New Orleans (LA)
Rev. William J. Byron, S.J., Acting President
Box 9, 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone: (504) 865-3847
E-mail: ramagos@loyno.edu
Marymount Manhattan College (NY)
Dr. Judson R. Shaver, President
221 E. 71st St., New York, NY 10021
Phone: 517-0560
E-mail: jshaver@mmm.edu
Mount St. Mary’s College (CA)
Dr. Jacqueline Powers Doud, President
12001 Chalon Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 954-4011
Nazareth College (NY)
Dr. Robert A. Miller, President
4245 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: (585) 389-2000
E-mail: ramiller@naz.edu
Providence College (RI)
Rev. Philip A. Smith, O.P., President
549 River Ave., Providence, RI 02918
Phone: (401) 865-1000
Regis College (MA)
Dr. Mary Jane England, President
208 College Hall, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA 02394
Phone: (781) 768-7120
E-mail (c/o secretary): phyllis.porrell@regiscollege.edu
Barbara Clancy, Director of Alumnae Relations, has responded to a protester: " The production of the play you are concerned about 'Vagina Monologues' is not Regis College sponsored. Nor is it part of any program in the Theater Department. A small group of students over the age of eighteen has independently chosen to produce a dramatic reading of this text."
St. Ambrose University (IA)
Dr. Edward Rogalski, President
518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Phone: (563) 333-6000
St. John Fisher College (NY)
Dr. Katherine E. Keough, President
3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: (585) 385-8010
E-mail: keough@sjfc.edu
St. John’s University (NY)
Rev. Donald J. Harrington, CM, President
Newman Hall, Rm. 318, Jamaica, NY 11439
Phone: (718) 990-6301
E-mail: pres@stjohns.edu
St. Joseph College (CT)
Dr. Winifred E. Coleman, President
1678 Asylum Ave., W. Hartford, CT 06117
Phone: (860) 232-4571
E-mail: wcoleman@sjc.edu
St. Joseph’s College (IN)
College ruled: "Vagina monologues would not be appropriate for our campus"; students confirm no planned production.
St. Louis University (MO)
Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., President
221 North Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314) 977-7777
E-mail: biondi@slu.edu
St. Mary’s College (CA)
Bro. Craig Joseph Franz, C.S.C., President
P.O. Box 3005, Moraga, CA 94575
Phone: (925) 631-4203
E-mail: cfranz@stmarys-ca.edu
St. Norbert College (WI)
Dr. William Hynes, President
100 Grant St., De Pere, WI 54115
Phone: (920) 403-3165
E-mail: whines@snc.edu
Seattle University (WA)
Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., President
900 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 296-1891
E-mail: lesleyl@seattleu.edu
Seton Hill University (PA)
Dr. JoAnne Boyle, President
Seton Hill Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: (724) 838-4211
E-mail: boyle@setonhill.edu
Siena College (NY)
Rev. Kevin Mackin, OFM, President
515 Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211
Phone: (518) 783-2300
Stonehill College (MA)
Rev. Mark T. Cregan, CSC, President
320 Washington St., Easton, MA 02357
Phone: (508) 565-1000
E-mail: presidentcregan@stonehill.edu
University of Dayton (OH)
Dr. Daniel J. Curran, President
300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469
Phone: (937) 229-1000
E-mail: daniel.curran@notes.udayton.edu
University of Detroit Mercy (MI)
Removed from V-Day website; reason unknown.
University of Notre Dame (IN)
Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., President
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: (574) 631-3903
E-mail: malloy.5@nd.edu
Nathan Hatch, Provost, has responded to a protester: "The performances are being co-sponsored by the Gender Studies Department and several other campus organizations. As an offering by an academic department (Gender Studies) we respect their right to present this material."
University of Portland (OR)
Bro. Donald J. Strabowski, CSC, Acting President
5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203
Phone: (503) 943-7105
E-mail: stabrows@up.edu
University of St. Francis (IL)
Dr. Michael Vinciguerra, President
500 Wilcox St., Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 740-3369
E-mail: mvinciguerra@stfrancis.edu
University of San Francisco (CA)
Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President
2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117
Phone: (415) 422-6762
E-mail: privet@usfca.edu
Wheeling Jesuit University (WV)
Rev. Joseph R. Hacala, S.J., President
316 Washington Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: (304) 243-2233
E-mail: jhacala@wju.edu
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Text of 12/17/03 letter from Cardinal Newman Society
to Catholic college presidents
MEMORANDUM
TO: Presidents of U.S. Catholic Colleges & Universities
FROM: Patrick J. Reilly
President, Cardinal Newman Society
DATE: December 17, 2003
RE: “Vagina Monologues” at Catholic Colleges
_________________________________________________________________
In each of the past few years, a number of Catholic colleges and universities have hosted and/or sponsored productions of the vulgar play, “Vagina Monologues”. Last spring, 32 Catholic colleges hosted or sponsored the production, and planned performances were canceled at another 14 colleges. In the spring of 2004, productions are reportedly planned in connection with at least 41 Catholic colleges and universities.
The play is a collection of monologues by women describing their personal stories, replete with vulgarity, frequent use of “vagina” to represent women and femininity, and explicit discussions of sexuality and sexual encounters including lesbian activity and masturbation. In one scene, a woman describes her seduction by a lesbian woman when she was 16 years old, declaring it her “salvation” and an important coming-of-age experience. The older woman leads the girl into sex by serving her alcohol and abusing her authority as an elder.
Cardinal Newman Society sees no valid reason for these productions. Although they are usually part of an effort to raise funds and bring attention to the problem of violence against women, the play itself does not contribute to a healthy image of women and could easily be substituted with a more appropriate event. Only the most radical notion of academic freedom favors the alleged rights of students, faculty or staff to produce the play in contradiction to the Catholic mission and values of the college or university. Even when presented with companion programs to discuss the play and give it some academic weight, the play itself is not an academic exercise and is a poor choice of entertainment.
As a Catholic, I am especially appalled and embarrassed that any Catholic institution would present this play in the wake of the priest sex-abuse scandals. The scene declaring the lesbian rape of a girl her “salvation” is horrific and contrary to everything a Catholic college or university stands for. By what logic is it appropriate to condemn the terrible actions of some priests, even while Catholic institutions glorify homosexual abuse of teenagers on the stage? Whether the perpetrator is portrayed as a lesbian woman or a gay priest, it is equally disrespectful to the victims of abuse when this crime is declared “salvation”.
Below is the list of 41 Catholic colleges and universities where “Vagina Monologues” performances are planned, according to the sponsoring organization V-Day. We are aware that there was at least one mistake in V-Day’s list last year, and a listing does not necessarily indicate whether college officials are aware of a planned performance and have given their formal approval. On the other hand, last year several college presidents denied that productions were planned for their campuses, when in fact they were being organized by students and/or faculty. Given the inability of many college presidents to accurately confirm or deny planned performances, the V-Day list is the most accurate information available in advance of the actual events.
If your institution is listed below, you can find details including the names of organizers at www.vday.org. Please look into this, and notify me immediately of any changes to the list.
Whether or not your institution is listed below, Cardinal Newman Society urges you to be on alert for students or faculty who may be planning “Vagina Monologues” productions and immediately cancel them. On-campus productions should not be allowed even when they are not formally approved or funded by the college or university administration, and off-campus performances that are sponsored by student clubs or that are otherwise identified with the college or university should also be canceled. Please clearly explain that your college or university will not host or sponsor this play—with sponsorship meaning any use of a college’s or university’s funds, facilities, or name. Organizers of such events should be denied opportunities to promote the play to students and faculty.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (703) 367-0333 with any questions. Thank you for considering these requests and for your leadership in Catholic higher education. May God bless you!
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Sample letter to Catholic college presidents
Cardinal Newman Society encourages letters to the presidents of Catholic colleges and universities on V-Day’s list—whether by mail or e-mail—urging them to halt the planned productions. Letters should be respectful, keeping in mind the possibility that the V-Day list may be incorrect or that presidents may not be aware of the productions on their own campuses. For presidents’ contact information, click here.
A sample letter is below, to be copied verbatim or used as a model for your own letter.
Letters to the editor and op-ed articles in college and local newspapers are also very helpful. Although secular media won’t appreciate your concerns about Catholic identity, they should be especially attentive to concerns about glorifying sexual abuse. Contact reporters and encourage them to cover this travesty.
--------------------------------------------
Dear President:
It has come to my attention that the V-Day organization lists your college [university] as presenting the vulgar play, “Vagina Monologues”, in the coming weeks.
The play is a collection of monologues by women describing their personal stories, replete with vulgarity, frequent use of “vagina” to represent women and femininity, and explicit discussions of sexuality and sexual encounters including lesbian activity and masturbation. In one scene, a woman describes her seduction by a lesbian woman when she was 16 years old, declaring it her “salvation” and an important coming-of-age experience. The older woman leads the girl into sex by serving her alcohol and abusing her authority as an elder.
No Catholic college or university should be associated with “Monologues”. It promotes an unhealthy image of women and is a poor choice of entertainment. I am especially appalled that any Catholic institution would present this play—including the scene declaring the lesbian rape of a girl her “salvation”—in the wake of the priest sex-abuse scandals.
Please go to www.vday.org to find V-Day’s report of your college [university] presentation, including the names of organizers. Please look into this, and if the V-Day listing is accurate, please cancel any planned production.
I urge you to stop any on-campus production, even if it is not formally approved or funded by your administration, and any off-campus performance that is sponsored by a student club or that is otherwise identified with the your institution. Please clearly explain to students that your institution will not host or sponsor this play—with sponsorship meaning any use of the institution’s funds, facilities, or name. Organizers of such events should be denied opportunities to promote the play to students and faculty.
Please respond to me as soon as possible with updated information on this situation. Thank you for sharing my concern about this play and for your leadership in Catholic higher education!
Sincerely yours,
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Last modified on 01/19/2004
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