Gay student group wants recognition at Seton Hall

AP Wire (direct feed) | January 15, 2004

[NYer]

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) _ A gay student group is fighting for recognition at Seton Hall University, where administrators say it contradicts the Roman Catholic school's religious mission.

TRUTH, a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and homosexual students, applied for official recognition with the university last month, but was denied. ``The most compelling guidance from the church directs us to care for the human person whose fundamental identity is as a ``child of God'' _ not a ``heterosexual'' or ``homosexual,'' wrote Dr. Laura Wankel, vice president for student affairs. ``No organization based solely upon sexual orientation may receive formal university recognition.''

Although it denied the group official recognition, the university said TRUTH may operate on campus, apply for funds from the office of student affairs and host educational events, meetings and programs. The group cannot, however, host social events or sponsor religious services or activities.

Official church teaching condemns homosexual acts. ``With public colleges, it's pretty straightforward _ they have to recognize these groups,'' Nick Sakurai, director of the U.S. Student Association's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Empowerment Project, told The Record of Bergen County for Friday's editions. ``With private ones it's a little more gray. I've seen Catholic colleges that do recognize LGBT student groups, but it seems to vary from diocese to diocese.''

The Seton Hall compromise seems to be modeled after a similar arrangement at Georgetown University following a lawsuit in 1987 by students denied recognition. The courts found that a private university is not required to recognize a group, but cannot withhold ``tangible benefits'' available to all groups, including funding.

At Seton Hall, Anthony Romeo, the head of TRUTH, said he will discuss the university's offer of a ``special standing'' with some of the other 20 members of his group. He admits the offer is a place to start but says the special standing funding smacks of ``hush money.'' ``We just want a place at the table,'' said Romeo, a junior from upstate New York. ``We're not asking for more or less than other groups.''

Jim Goodness, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Newark, told the newspaper he was unaware of the issue. Seton Hall spokeswoman Natalie Thigpen said, ``We acknowledge the need to work with the students in this area through an ongoing dialogue. We want to work with them to meet their goals, but in a way that we're sure will be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.''

AP-ES-01-16-04 1033EST

[NYer]

Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality

[NYer]

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[NYer]

Ping your list.

[Salgak]

They could always form a chapter of "Future Priests of the Boston Archdiocese". . . .

(diving for cover)

[Salvation]

1599 In the Latin Church the sacrament of Holy Orders for the presbyterate is normally conferred only on candidates who are ready to embrace celibacy freely and who publicly manifest their intention of staying celibate for the love of God's kingdom and the service of men.

---

1580 In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.

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1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord," they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.

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[StonyBurk]

As a non-Catholic Christian-- I wonder if those Catholics
(or any Christian) who insist "We are all children of God.
I wonder how they interpret Christs' parable of the tares?
(Matthew 13:24-30) How do they interpret Christs' response
when the disciples came to him saying His mother and others
were waiting (Luke 8:19-21) How do they interpret the Christs' reply to the Pharisees in John 8 :44 Ye are of your
father the devil.. . . " To me these suggest it is blasphemy
or at the very least "another doctrine" to suggest we are all Gods' children.To call good what divine Law calls
"abomination" is wicked indeed.

[I got the rope]

ping

[bassmaner]

Totally unrelated to the thread -->

Please, WABC 770 AM management: STOP PRE-EMPTING YOUR REGULAR SCHEDULE FOR SETON HALL BASKETBALL GAMES!

[SpinyNorman]

A gay student group is fighting for recognition at Seton Hall University, where administrators say it contradicts the Roman Catholic school's religious mission.

Stamp their heads with big pink triangles. They should be instantly recognizable then! (I thought gaydar was pretty infallible......)

[Coleus]

Gay Group Wants Recognition at Seton Hall
1010 Wins, United States - 44 minutes ago
(1010 WINS) (South Orange, NJ) A gay student group is fighting for recognition
at Seton Hall University, where administrators say it contradicts the Roman ...

Gay student group seeking recognition from Seton Hall
New Brunswick Home News Tribune, NJ - 1 hour ago
SOUTH ORANGE -- A gay student group is fighting for recognition at Seton Hall University,

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS
TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION
TO UNIONS
BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS

Ex Corde Ecclesiae
APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION
OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF
JOHN PAUL II
ON CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES

 

Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,¹⁴¹ tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."¹⁴² They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

[Coleus]

`

[ZULU]

I think they have just been recognized. Recognized for the kind of militant, sodomitic, politically correct gang of thugs they are want another forum to spread their un-Christian and vile perversion among impressionable young minds.

Expect the ACLU to slither out from the nearest rock to provide these three dollar bills wiht help as soon as they are finished demolishing Christmas creches and propping up NAMBLA.

[ZULU]

"TRUTH, a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and homosexual students.."

How abput sadomasochists and people who practise beastiality (between consenting animals and people of course)? Can they join too?

[Incorrigible]

Why can't they just go to Monclair State?

[johnb2004]

I certainly hope they are treated in a pastoral manner. Pass out condoms, claim God does not judge anyone, rewrite the Gospels to be inclusive and invite Church officials like one of the 23 from Chicago to explain how the church is hateful.

[NYer]

Yes! ;-D (/sarcasm)

[Coleus]

Good Catholic Colleges & Universities
- Assumption College
- Ave Maria College
- Campion College
- Christendom College
- The College of St. Thomas More
- Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Magdalen College
- Our Lady of Corpus Christi
- Thomas Aquinas College
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

[PBRSTREETGANG]

TRUTH, a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and homosexual students,...

Lesbians, gays AND homosexuals? Was this issued by the Department of Redundancy Department?

[OPS4]

They can start a new fraternity, Sodom & Gomorah!!
Ops4 God Bless America!

[Nachum]

Gay student group wants recognition at Seton Hall

OK. I can recognize them. There they are.

Now go back to your classes and shut up.