Seton Hall regrets conferring award to [pro-abort] judge

Newark Star Ledger ^ | 4/21/04 | JEFF DIAMANT

[Incorrigible]

Seton Hall regrets conferring award to judge

Myers says university honors to abortion-rights backers won't happen again

Wednesday, April 21, 2004
By JEFF DIAMANT
Star-Ledger Staff

[South Orange] -- Under heavy criticism from anti-abortion advocates, Seton Hall University acknowledged yesterday that as a Catholic institution it should not have conducted an awards ceremony last week involving two judges whose decisions have supported abortion rights.

On Friday, U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Maryanne Trump Barry received the Sandra Day O'Connor Medal of Honor, an award sponsored by three student groups at Seton Hall University School of Law.

O'Connor, the first female U.S. Supreme Court justice, was there to present the award.

Yesterday university spokeswoman Natalie Thigpen said: "As we have always stated, Seton Hall's commitment to the gospel of life is absolute. The conferral of awards to people who publicly espouse views that are contrary to the university's fundamental Catholic identity is a serious lapse.

"There will be a thorough review of all aspects of this matter, and the policies involved."

Thigpen would not say if the 11-year-old award in O'Connor's name will be discontinued, nor would she otherwise elaborate on the statement.

This is not the first time the award has led to controversy. Past recipients include Hillary Rodham Clinton and Christie Whitman, both of whom favor abortion rights.

When Whitman, then New Jersey governor, won it in 1998, school officials forced the event off campus because of her views on abortion.

In today's Catholic Advocate, the Newark Archdiocese's newspaper, Archbishop John J. Myers criticized Seton Hall for hosting the ceremony.

Myers wrote that he first learned of the invitations to O'Connor and Barry during Easter Week, a few days before the event. University officials approached the law school about the ceremony, but Law School Dean Patrick Hobbs wanted to hold the ceremony, said James Goodness, a spokesman for Myers.

"I find this action profoundly offensive and contrary to the Catholic mission and identity of Seton Hall Law School, Seton Hall University, and the Archdiocese of Newark," Myers wrote.

He also wrote he is "proceeding in a way both to clarify the situation and to see that it does not occur again" and is "determining the appropriate action to be taken." He did not offer details.

Although Seton Hall has an identity as the archdiocesan university, it is not run by the archdiocese. However, Myers is president of the school's two governing boards, the 33-member board of regents and the 13-member board of trustees. He has one vote on each board.

Myers wrote that O'Connor and Barry "have demonstrated a lack of support for pro-life issues."

O'Connor's judicial history includes siding with a 5-4 majority in 2000 that struck down a Nebraska law forbidding partial- birth abortion, on the grounds it could criminalize other types of abortion and did not make an exception when a woman's health was at stake.

Barry wrote a 2000 decision striking down New Jersey's law that banned partial-birth abortions, saying it was too vague.

In addition, she wrote, "The Legislature would have us accept, and the public believe, that during a 'partial-birth abortion' the fetus is in the process of being 'born' at the time of its demise. It is not. A woman seeking an abortion is plainly not seeking to give birth."

Hobbs was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Opponents of abortion rights, who follow church doctrine that life begins at conception, tried to persuade the school to cancel the awards ceremony, and about 20 protesters kept a vigil before the event outside the law school.

They said the reactions of Myers and the school were too little, too late.

"In this case, everybody knows both justices' involvement," said Larry Cirignano of Bedminster of CatholicVote.org, a lay group that promotes voting among Catholics. "It was not a secret, it was never taken into consideration, and when it was taken to their attention, instead of canceling it, they adamantly went on. ... It hasn't been something that came out of the blue. Their Catholic identity should be in question."

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[Incorrigible]

Previous thread:

Protest at Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ, Pro-aborts are Honored with Award!!

[Incorrigible]

Bump!

[vpintheak]

I guess as long as they keep saying they are sorry, or "we regret.." that makes it OK and they an just keep doing it huh? What a load of crap.

[i_dont_chat]

I say "hold their feet to the fire." I'm sick of these institutions bailing out on the principles of their founders and those who are funding them.

If they don't want to adher to the founding principles, they they should change the name of the institution and quite pretending to be something they are NOT!

[NYer]

Although Seton Hall has an identity as the archdiocesan university, it is not run by the archdiocese. However, Myers is president of the school's two governing boards, the 33-member board of regents and the 13-member board of trustees. He has one vote on each board.

Myers wrote that O'Connor and Barry "have demonstrated a lack of support for pro-life issues."

Some background on Archbishop Myers

Pope John Paul II has named Bishop John J. Myers, 60, of Peoria, Ill., as the new archbishop of Newark, N.J.

Myers succeeds Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, who was archbishop of Newark from 1986 until he was named to head the Washington archdiocese in November 2000.

A priest of the Peoria diocese since 1966, the Illinois bishop has headed the Peoria diocese since Jan. 23, 1990.

Myers' 11-plus years in Peoria have been characterized by increases in vocations to the priesthood and eucharistic devotion, and a rigid defense of the church's ban on women's ordination and its teaching on the right to life of the unborn.

In his first pastoral letter, issued June 1, 1990, he said that a Catholic who supports legalized abortion and who votes for candidates who support legalized abortion "commits a grave injustice against the most vulnerable members of the human family."

Catholics who reject church teaching on the right to life "have also separated themselves in a significant way from the Catholic community," the pastoral letter said.

The letter did not impose public church sanctions on such a dissenter, but said that "for such a person to express communion with Christ and his church by the reception of the sacrament of the Eucharist is objectively dishonest."

In 1994, he ordered diocesan Catholic hospitals in post-rape situations to stop using drugs that inhibit a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

Earlier this year, he issued a directive saying the Peoria diocese would not provide funds for Catholic educators wishing to attend the National Catholic Educational Association convention. The reason cited was the keynote speaker, Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister. The nun is a critic of church teaching on women's ordination.

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

[ken5050]

They should just stick to giving awards to James Gandolfini...

[Unam Sanctam]

I don't believe it. They knew exactly what they were doing, and they are only backtracking a bit now because Archbishop Myers, may God bless him, finally said something.

[Coleus]

Great News, too bad he couldn't put a stop to it before it happened. I wonder if "the Donald" gave a nice donation to the archdiocese for honoring his sister.

Anyway the archdiocese intends to make millions selling off the property in Newark for the New Sports Complex and arena McGreevey is intending to build. Money Talks.

I bet the many phone calls and protests helped in making his decision.

Seton Hall has been swamped with so many phone calls protesting the O'Connor-Barry event that they were forced to set up a separate hotline to deal with the calls
973-378-9856

[Coleus]

He also wrote he is "proceeding in a way both to clarify the situation and to see that it does not occur again" and is "determining the appropriate action to be taken." He did not offer details.

It's a step in the RIGHT direction but doesn't go far enough. Read ON, Is the Archbishop misleading us???  Yes, I understand, Seton Hall won't HONOR a pro-abortion person again but it will be OK  to INVITE a PRO-ABORTION POLITICIAN to an EVENT, Right? If GIULIANI could tell Arafat not to come, Myers could do the same for McGreevey.   The Archdiocese intends to make millions $$$ selling off the property in Newark to build McGreevey's new Arena and Sports Complex.

Pro, Partial-Birth-Abortion Catholic Governor is Invited to Seton Hall University Law School's 50th Anniversary

The Auditor Sunday, April 18, 2004

Showdown

Seton Hall University School of Law is preparing for its 50th anniversary gala on April 24 at the law school. It's a black-tie affair, and legal luminaries from across the state are expected to attend. Among those scheduled to make an appearance are U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie and Gov. James E. McGreevey .

It will be the first time the two men have been in the same room since Christie sent FBI agents to raid the offices of the Democratic State Committee and issued subpoenas to the governor's office. So there is much buzz among those scheduled to attend. Some have suggested that the law school forgo hiring other entertainment and let the men who could face off in a gubernatorial election next year go a few rounds.

"I always enjoy his company and I look forward to seeing him," the governor said through his press secretary.

James E. McGreevey - Governor's Email

(609) 292-6000

goodneja@rcan.org, sheeraro@shu.edu, hobbspat@shu.edu,

Archbishop John Myers 973-497-4190

Msgr. Robert Sheeran 973-761-9620

Dean Patrick Hobbs 973-642-8750

Seton Hall University

Administrative Office

LAW SCHOOL RATINGS NO PROMO FOR JERSEY

There's nothing to write home about when it comes to the ranking of New Jersey's three law schools in the current issue of U.S. News and World Report. The magazine, which annually publishes rankings of law schools nationwide and historically catches hell from law school officials here who claim the rankings are misguided, lists the two Rutgers Law schools and Seton Hall Law relatively low among the top 100 schools. Rutgers Law School-Camden is ranked 72nd, Rutgers Law School-Newark 73rd and Seton Hall University School of Law 92nd. And which are the top 10? Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, New York University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia and Duke University. 4-13-04

[Cagey]

I'm never surprised at some of the things done by Seton Hall. After all, you might remember this from the New York Post................

Mixed in among the buildings named for saints on the South Orange, N.J., campus are three impressive structures named for sinners - or accused sinners: Robert E. Brennan, Dennis Kozlowski and Frank Walsh Jr.

One is in jail, another is facing trial and the third is being sued - all for questionable financial dealings. Each donated at least $1 million to the Catholic university to have his name adorn a building in foot-high letters.

[ELS]

Which property in Newark?

[Coleus]

I'm not too sure, I was told the diocese owns a lot of real estate in the area where they are going to build the arena.

[ELS]

From this week's The Catholic Advocate, page 1:

Statement on the recent awards ceremony at SHU Law School
April 19, 2004

In the middle of Easter Week, I was informed that a student group at Seton Hall Law School had invited Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a defender of Roe v. Wade, to give an award on Friday of the same week to Judge Maryanne Trump Barry. Both Justice O'Connor and Judge Barry have demonstrated a lack of support for pro-life issues. I find this action profoundly offensive and contrary to the Catholic mission and identity of Seton Hall Law School, Seton Hall University, and the Archdiocese of Newark.

For those who were shocked and dismayed by the action, I can only say that I share your sentiments. I am proceeding in a way both to clarify the situation and to see that it does not occur again. Therefore, I am in the process of reviewing all aspects of the matter and determining the action to be taken.

In the meantime, I urge all of us to continue to both pray and to ct to change minds and hearts and to end the horror of abortion in our society in our world.

I would be remiss in this Holy Season if I did not wish you and your family all the blessings of Easter and encourage you to redouble your practice of prayer and participation in the life of our Church.

Most Reverend John J. Myers
Archbishop of Newark

[Sun]

I believe Archbishop John J. Myers is sincere. Seton Hall is another story. Maybe all of our letters, phone calls and e-mails helped shake them up.

The Archbishop's office answered my e-mail; the two people that I wrote to at Seton Hall did not. Hmmmmmmm

[George from New England]

This crap is what is called ...

Back pedaling.

They want it both ways.

They have done a Peter as in the Passion. They are denying the Gospel and plan on continuing this charade.

[Coleus]

and now her brother is running for POTUS!! and I think he wants to appoint her to the SCOTUS

[Incorrigible]

Thanks for the blast from the past Coleus!

It reminds me of what poor choices we have in this race and that I don’t post on FR enough these days. Too busy busting political lies on Facebook.