Posted on 01/15/2006 7:14:29 PM PST by narses
Continuing its campaign to rid Catholic campuses of the offensive play “The Vagina Monologues,” the Cardinal Newman Society has urged the presidents of 28 Catholic colleges to cancel announced performances in February and March 2006.
Three universities have already assured CNS that they will not permit the play, after CNS informed them of student performances announced by V-Day (www.vday.org), which organizes productions across the country. Very Rev. David O’Connell, CM, president of the Catholic University of America, Msgr. Harry C. Barrett, president of New York Medical College, and Rev. Anthony Figueiredo, Executive Director of Mission and Ministry at Seton Hall University, thanked CNS for informing them of the V-Day announcements and pledged swift action to halt any plans.
Assumption College and Sacred Heart University also have informed CNS that the announced campus performances will not occur, although they have not said whether they banned the event.
CNS urges members to contact the remaining 23 college and university presidents asking them to stop the performance. Please note that the productions announced by V-Day are not yet confirmed and may not have official college approval.
The “Monologues” presents women discussing their sexuality and sexual encounters, replete with vulgarity, explicit language, and graphic descriptions of lesbian activity and masturbation. For a detailed summary, click here.
One scene describes the seduction of a sexually inexperienced 16-year-old girl by a 24-year-old lesbian, who first intoxicates the girl with vodka. Instead of presenting the incident as sexual abuse that would be prosecuted as statutory rape in many states, the play declares it the girl’s “surprising, unexpected and politically correct salvation.” In light of the Church’s struggles with similar crimes by priests who exploited younger boys, the scene is highly objectionable.
The CNS campaign against the “Monologues” has had an impact. In 2005, performances occurred at 27 Catholic colleges and universities, a decline from 29 performances in 2004 and 32 in 2003. The V-Day Web site now features a section titled “resistance,” including a rebuttal to CNS concerns.
[ About V-Day and the Monologues ] [ Bishop John D'Arcy's Statement on the Monologues ] [ Reclaim Saint Valentine’s Day ]
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2006 Planned Monologues Performances on Catholic Campuses
Performances of The Vagina Monologues are planned at the following Catholic colleges and universities, according to the V-Day organization. Contact information is provided to help Cardinal Newman Society members and other Catholics express concern to the college presidents. We urge you to do so respectfully and charitably. Also please keep in mind the following: bullet Be wary of lists of Monologues performances that may appear elsewhere. Cardinal Newman Society has made significant efforts to verify information released by the V-Day organization and other sources; indeed, we have identified a few instances in which performances were announced but will not in fact occur. We have tried to confirm V-Day’s announced performances by contacting the presidents of each of these colleges, contacting the campus organizers identified by V-Day, and monitoring college websites and publications. College presidents have had ample opportunity to correct any misinformation, and yet we welcome any corrections to this list by sending an e-mail to vprotest@cardinalnewmansociety.org. Check this site periodically for updates and cancellations. bullet Cardinal Newman Society opposes any performance of the Monologues on a Catholic campus, regardless of whether the college administration lends its “official” endorsement or funds. In every campus performance, college facilities have been made available for this offensive play. Some colleges, however, insist on making a distinction between college-sponsored performances and those sponsored by students (usually with student activities funds collected by the college) or faculty (usually with college funds). Please note that a listing below indicates that colleges will host but not necessarily sponsor the Monologues. In some cases, college officials have opposed performances while nevertheless permitting them under a misguided notion of academic freedom. bullet Be cautious about misreading responses from college officials. It is unfortunate but not infrequent that college officials will deny that a college is sponsoring the Monologues, when in fact the college is hosting a performance organized by students and/or faculty. In rare instances, college officials have denied knowledge of performances that nevertheless occur. In the event of a discrepancy with information posted on this website, please contact us immediately at vprotest@cardinalnewmansociety.org and we will get you an answer. bullet We do not provide contact information for bishops. Although the bishops are responsible for oversight of colleges’ Catholic identity, the college presidents are primarily responsible for programs on their campuses, and therefore communications should be directed to them. Rest assured that Cardinal Newman Society has notified the bishops of this year’s performances and has encouraged their efforts to rid Catholic campuses of this play. bullet When college officials respond to your concerns in writing, please forward copies to vprotest@cardinalnewmansociety.org or fax to (703) 396-8668. These are very helpful to us!
2006 Announced Performances of "V-Monologues" (according to D-Day, www.vday.org)
Assumption College Assumption College informed CNS that the announced campus performance will not occur, although the college has not said it banned the event.
Boston College Rev. William Leahy, S.J., President 18 Old Colony Rd., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 Phone: (617) 552-8000 E-Mail: William.leahy.1@bc.edu
Carlow University Dr. Mary E. Hines, President 3333 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Phone: (412) 578-6123 E-Mail: hinesme@carlow.edu
Catholic University of America Very Rev. David O'COnnell, CM, president of CUA, assured us that the V-Monologues would not be performed on their campus.
College of the Holy Cross Rev. Michael McFarland, S.J., President 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610 Phone: (508) 793-2011 E-Mail: mmcfarla@holycross.edu
College of Mount Saint Vincent Dr. Charles Flynn, Jr., President 6301 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale, NY 10471 Phone: (718) 405-3233 E-Mail: charles.flynn@mountsaintvincent.edu
College of Saint Benedict Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, President 37 S. College Ave., St. Joseph, MN 46374 Phone: (320) 363-5505 E-Mail: mbaenninger@csbsju.edu
College of Saint Catherine Sr. Andrea J. Lee, IHM, President 1st Floor Derham, 2004 Randolph Ave. #F23, St. Paul, MN 55105 Phone: (651) 690-6525 E-Mail: ajlee@stkate.edu
College of Saint Rose Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, President 432 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12203 Phone: (518) 454-5121 E-Mail: sullivam@mail.strose.edu
DePaul University Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., President 55 E. Jackson Blvd., 22nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 Phone: (312) 362-8890 E-Mail: dholtsch@depaul.edu
Fordham University Lincoln Center & Rose Hill campuses Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President 441 E. Fordham Rd., Bronx, NY 10458 Phone: (718) 817-3000 E-Mail: president@fordham.edu
Georgetown University Dr. John DeGioia, President 37th & O Sts. NW, Washington, DC 20057 Phone: (202) 687-4134 E-Mail: president@georgetown.edu
John Carroll University Rev. Robert L. Niehoff, S.J., President 20700 N. Park Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118 Phone: (216) 397-4281 E-Mail: president@jcu.edu
Loyola University of Chicago Chicago campus & Rome campus Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J., President 820 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2196 Phone: (312) 915-6700 E-Mail: mgaranz@luc.edu
Loyola University of New Orleans Rev. Kevin W. Wildes, S.J., President 6363 St. Charles Ave., Campus Box 009, New Orleans, LA 70118 Phone: (504) 865-3847 E-Mail wildesk@loyno.edu
Marquette University Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., President 615 N. 11th St., Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881 Phone: (414) 288-7223 E-Mail: robert.wild@marquette.edu
New York Medical College Msgr. Harry Barrett, president of New York Medical College, assured us that the V-Monologues would not be performed on their campus.
Providence College Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P, President 549 River Ave., Providence, RI 02918 Phone: (401) 865-2153 E-Mail: bshanley@providence.edu
Regis College Dr. Mary Jane England, President 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA 02493 Phone: (781) 768-7122 E-Mail: England@regiscollege.edu
Sacred Heart University Sacred Heart University informed CNS that the announced campus performance will not occur, although the college has not said it banned the event.
Saint Louis University Rev. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., President 221 North Grand Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63103 Phone: (314) 977-7777 E-Mail: biondi@slu.edu
Saint Joseph College Dr. Evelyn Lynch, President 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117 Phone: (860) 231-5221 E-Mail: elynch@sjc.edu
Saint Xavier University Dr. Judith Dwyer, President Warde Academic Center, Rm A225 3700 West 103rd St., Chicago, IL 60655 Phone: (773) 298-3309 E-Mail: jadwyer@sxu.edu
Seattle University Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., President 900 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 Phone: (206) 296-1891 E-Mail: sundborg@seattleu.edu
Seton Hall University Rev. Anthony Figueiredo, Executive Director of Mission and Ministry at Seton Hall University, assured us that the V-Monologues would not be performed on their campus.
University of Detroit Mercy Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., President 4001 W. McNichols Rd., P.O. Box 19900, Detroit, MI 48219 Phone: (313) 993-1455 E-mail: gstock@udmercy.edu
University of Notre Dame Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President Notre Dame, IN 46556 Phone: (574) 631-3903 E-mail: john.i.jenkins.1@nd.edu
University of San Francisco Rev. Stephen A. Privett, S.J., President 2130 Fulton St., San Francisco, CA 94117 Phone: (415) 422-6762 E-mail: privet@usfca.edu
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Sample Protest Letter to College Presidents
Dear __________,
The V-Day organization has identified (insert college name) as hosting the sexually explicit and offensive play, "The Vagina Monologues," in February or March 2006. See the listing at www.vday.org/contents/vcampaigns/college/schools.
The "Monologues" is objectionable in its content and in its language. The monologues are focused almost entirely on the physical characteristics of women's v****** and their sexual experiences, with a heavy emphasis on masturbation and lesbian activity. There is minimal discussion of violence against women--the advertised focus of the play--and it does little to recognize the special dignity of women. The language used is often vulgar, sometimes sexually explicit, and almost always offensive. There is almost nothing of academic value in this play.
In addition, the play clearly condones the lesbian rape of a 16-year-old girl. It proclaims the lesbian seduction of a minor, which in many states would be illegal, as the girl's "politically incorrect salvation" which raised her genitals "into a kind of heaven." This is terribly offensive to the victims of homosexual seduction by priests.
The V-Day website notes that the colleges listed may not be sponsoring the "V-Monologues," though students or departments from the schools are planning on hosting performances. However, the performance of the "V-Monologues" and the association of your school with this play directly conflicts with your school's Catholic identity and mission. I ask that you please take clear action to prevent any campus performance of the "V-Monologues." I hope to hear in the near future that the planned performance on your campus is cancelled.
Sincerely,
(name)
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Last modified on 01/06/2006
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We need more leaders with stamina who don't care what others think.
Unbelievable that any faith based school or college would approve of the play much less show it on campus.
CNS is a STUDENT organization of great moral strength trying to reset morality in the heart of Catholic education. Modernism (the Heresy) is rampant in most so called Catholic schools.
Here is a reply rec'd by someone else from a school on the list above (Loyola of Chicago?):
January, 2006
Dear sir or madam:
The religious right continues to spread the idea that the play, “The Monologues,” is anti-women, and full of explicit ual references. It suggests that Catholic universities that allow the play to be performed on campus are somehow violating the Church’s teachings.
While I am in no way saying that these ual references are tasteful—I, too, find some of them distasteful--or that some of the ideas in the play are not contrary to Catholic teaching, I defend the right of students and faculty to discuss the play and its ideas. Each year, for several years now, students and faculty have seen several monologues and then use the occasion to discuss such issues as against women and the difficult topic of how women’s bodies have been treated and manipulated by our nt culture. The overall experience is one of consciousness-raising and sensitizing our students—male and female—to the plight faced by many women in our society who are victims of and abuse, and the more subtle abuse of exploitation.
Is this the easiest play to view? No. Is it harmful to or disrespectful of women? I believe it is not. Is it any more graphic or explicit than much of popular culture available in TV and in the movies today? No, it is not. However, it does speak to the experience and concerns of many women today and in the past, both in this and in many their cultures that exploit women economically, psychologically and ually. More important than all this--and this is something I feel a university is obligated to do—it raises awareness and is an occasion for students in this generation to discuss an important series of questions about justice between and among us.
I believe strongly that it is not the business of the University—its faculty or administration--to censor plays, books or topics of discussion. Indeed, it is precisely how we help students form minds that can see through complex issues and it is how we relate the relevance of the Christian message. There are plays and assigned readings that we believe explicitly promote the Christian message, but anyone who knows the kind of world that is competing for the attention of young people today and the difficult issues that they face, must realize that a well-educated person needs to be capable of handling material, ideas and points of view that differ from our Christian beliefs.
The concern you express in your letter is well-taken and appreciated. I hope that you can find your way to seeing that some topics, as difficult and raw as they are to see and hear, can still be a vehicle for helping minds of young people to become more critical. After all, many books and plays present ideas and scenes which we reject as unchristian and even sinful, but we do not refuse to see read them or see them. Let’s not presume that because an idea, or a book, or a play is presented on a campus that it is being used to manipulate minds in a negative way. Our young people are bright and can be very sophisticated. They can also be naive and hold prejudices that need to be exposed and examined. I think that this is what we are doing here at Loyola and I am proud of this fact.
Sincerely, Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., President
I feel under-represented! :(
There is. An aboriginal Aussie 'show'. Yuck.
YESSSSS!
Feminism is evil.
Michael J. Garanzini, S.J., President, Loyola Chicago's use of the term "religious right" is telling.
It is amazing, isn't it, that the same people who claim to have been SO HORRIFIED at the abuse by priests think that this play, complete with the sexual abuse of a teenager by an older woman is 'liberating'.
A lot of the religious colleges and universities are not what they used to be. They should drop their religious name and call their schools "Secular" schools, because that is the road they have taken.
Yeah, Barney,, Be a hoot if the Pope ex-commed every Cath. in the U.S.A. even the SCOTUS ones.
It seems that similar problems happen to other institutions of various religious-based organizations on a regular basis. If the religious institutions are serious about problems within their denominations then they need to take action. If they aren't serious, then there never really was a problem to begin with or they will eventually deteriorate into oblivion.
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I don't think it even needs to be in light of that!! The content of that play is disgusting! What a surprise (not) that SLU is on the list. I hope that gets changed!!!
I can't believe anyone still goes. I mean, the initial shock value, for what it was ever worth, must have long since worn off.
And I have to wonder about any guys who agree to get dragged to these performances.
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