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Cardinal's Speech Upsets University
Sydney Morning Herald ^ | 5/23/03

Posted on 05/23/2003 7:00:23 AM PDT by marshmallow

A Roman Catholic cardinal seen as a top contender to succeed Pope John Paul II has sparked student and faculty protests at Georgetown University with a remark he made about homosexuals in a commencement speech.

A letter protesting against the speech by Cardinal Francis Arinze was signed by about 70 faculty members at the Jesuit university and delivered on Wednesday to Dr Jane McAuliffe, dean of the university's school of arts and sciences.

Dr McAuliffe, a specialist in Islamic studies, invited Cardinal Arinze - president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue - to speak on Christian-Muslim relations at the school's graduation ceremonies last Saturday.

Instead, the Nigerian prelate told the graduates that happiness was found not in the pursuit of material wealth or pleasures of the flesh, but by fervently adhering to religious beliefs.

Cardinal Arinze then spoke of the importance of family to the Roman Catholic Church.

"In many parts of the world, the family is under siege," Cardinal Arinze said. "It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalised by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce."

Theresa Sanders, a professor of theology at the university, protested by leaving the stage where Cardinal Arinze was speaking. Other students upset with the comments also left, according to emails on a subscription list used by many of the university's gay and lesbian students.

Ed Ingebretsen, a professor of English at Georgetown and a priest in the American Catholic Church, said on Wednesday that Cardinal Arinze's remarks were in line with Catholic doctrine, but nonetheless seemed out of place at the commencement ceremony.

"These things are exactly what he's paid to say," Professor Ingebretsen said. "[But] it's a graduation; why he decided to do the pro-family thing no one seems to know."

Professor Ingebretsen said he was compelled, as a writer, to post a short apology on the email subscription list "on behalf of Catholics" for Cardinal Arinze's "insensitive remarks", which he termed "un-Christian".

Dr McAuliffe issued a two-sentence statement acknowledging that she had been contacted by several students and faculty "to express their reaction, both negative and positive" to the address. "As an academic community, vigorous and open discussion lies at the heart of what we do, and there are many different voices in the conversation."

Cardinal Arinze, 70, is widely mentioned as a candidate to succeed John Paul II, which would make him the first African Catholic pope.

He ascended through the ranks of the church's hierarchy in Africa, where Catholicism is flourishing. He was called by John Paul II in 1984 to work in the Vatican.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholiclist; commencement; francisarinze; georgetownu; lavendermafia
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Lucky for Arinze that he's black or they'd probably have accused him of racism, too.

When I hear of these walk-outs and revolts I'm always reminded of the Gospel passage which describes the reaction of some of Jesus' so-called disciples after hearing some of his "hard sayings." They ceased to follow him any more.

Obviously the digestive system of many at Georgetown is unused to red meat. It's become somewhat weak and dysfunctional due to the meagre, watered-down diet of heresy and modernism which is constantly served up to them. Real food gives them indigestion.

1 posted on 05/23/2003 7:00:24 AM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow
Cardinal Arinze, 70, is widely mentioned as a candidate to succeed John Paul II, which would make him the first African Catholic pope.

It will Never happen...
2 posted on 05/23/2003 7:05:13 AM PDT by Merovingian
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To: Merovingian
Oh the tragedy of being pro-family.....

This outrage says more about the upset twits at Georgetown then the good Cardinal.
3 posted on 05/23/2003 7:08:26 AM PDT by alisasny
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To: marshmallow; .45MAN; AKA Elena; al_c; american colleen; Angelus Errare; Antoninus; aposiopetic; ...
When I hear of these walk-outs and revolts I'm always reminded of the Gospel passage which describes the reaction of some of Jesus' so-called disciples after hearing some of his "hard sayings." They ceased to follow him any more.

Well said. Bttt.

4 posted on 05/23/2003 7:09:57 AM PDT by Polycarp (the homo issue could be the albatross that "Read my lips" was for Bush's papa -- CKCA'ers, UNITE!!!)
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To: marshmallow
Let's see... a Roman Catholic cardinal expressing Roman Catholic beliefs at a Roman Catholic university? I am shocked, truly shocked. What do these fools expect? If you do not want to hear Roman Catholic beliefs then do NOT attend a Roman Catholic university!

These people need to get a life - and quit looking for something to be offended about.

5 posted on 05/23/2003 7:13:59 AM PDT by NCjim
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To: marshmallow
A letter protesting against the speech by Cardinal Francis Arinze was signed by about 70 faculty members at the Jesuit university and delivered on Wednesday to Dr Jane McAuliffe, dean of the university's school of arts and sciences.

The Jebbies are up to their old tricks.

6 posted on 05/23/2003 7:21:23 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Drug prohibition laws help support terrorism.)
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To: marshmallow
As I read the article I kept waiting to be offended by what the Cardinal said, but I could find nothing but truth in his words. What I did find offensive, though, was the reaction he got from the people around him, especially the woman who protested by walking off the stage, and the prof who said this

Ed Ingebretsen, a professor of English at Georgetown and a priest in the American Catholic Church, said on Wednesday that Cardinal Arinze's remarks were in line with Catholic doctrine, but nonetheless seemed out of place at the commencement ceremony. Professor Ingebretsen said he was compelled, as a writer, to post a short apology on the email subscription list "on behalf of Catholics" for Cardinal Arinze's "insensitive remarks", which he termed "un-Christian".

Even though I'm not Catholic, I support the Cardinal in the comments he made in whatever venue he made them.

7 posted on 05/23/2003 7:25:54 AM PDT by HusbandMan
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To: Polycarp
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.
- (2 Chronicles 34:19)
8 posted on 05/23/2003 7:26:53 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: marshmallow
But they love it when Clinton speaks there...
9 posted on 05/23/2003 7:35:07 AM PDT by Redbob
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To: marshmallow
If they think he's being insensitive toward the gay community, perhaps they should re-read the story about what God did with Sodom.
10 posted on 05/23/2003 7:40:59 AM PDT by oldfart
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To: marshmallow
The Cardnal is right on. Some groups are only too eager to sacrefice the family to Satin in order to get their perverted lifestyle into a preferred status.

Whats ironic is these people never complain against the fundimenataist Muslem movement.

11 posted on 05/23/2003 8:11:57 AM PDT by oyez (Is this a great country or what?)
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To: marshmallow
Hmmmmmmm.......a Catholic Cardinal speaking at a Catholic university, stating Catholic beliefs (beliefs of REAL Catholics, not fake ones like D@sshole and Prissy Chrissy...)

So who is this "Professor of Theology" broad who was so offended and walked off the stage? I'll bet taking a paycheck from the Catholic university doesn't offend her.

12 posted on 05/23/2003 8:17:43 AM PDT by RooRoobird14
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To: marshmallow
Professor Ingebretsen said he was compelled, as a writer, to post a short apology on the email subscription list "on behalf of Catholics" for Cardinal Arinze's "insensitive remarks", which he termed "un-Christian".

"Paging Cardinal Ratzinger...smack down needed in aisle 5."

13 posted on 05/23/2003 9:13:34 AM PDT by B Knotts
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To: AppyPappy
I love that passage in 2 Chronicles, but wasn't the king's reaction one of sincere repentance at being ignornant of God's Law? These bozos at Georgetown wouldn't know repentance (much less God's Law) if it hit them in the face...
14 posted on 05/23/2003 9:54:58 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
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To: Redbob
But they love it when Clinton speaks there...

Of course! He's an alumnus! That fact alone speaks volumes about Georgetown's moral compass, eh?

15 posted on 05/23/2003 9:57:49 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
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To: COBOL2Java
Yes but like the king, the recognition of Truth causes a dramatic reaction.
16 posted on 05/23/2003 9:58:52 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If You're Not A Part Of The Solution, There's Good Money To Be Made In Prolonging The Problem.)
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To: AppyPappy
Yes but like the king, the recognition of Truth causes a dramatic reaction.

Good point!

17 posted on 05/23/2003 9:59:49 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
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To: marshmallow
Bravisimo Cardinal Arinze!

I hope her knickers twisted so tightly they cut off the circulation to her near empty head.

18 posted on 05/23/2003 10:05:21 AM PDT by jwalsh07
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To: Black Agnes; rmlew; cardinal4; LiteKeeper; Lizard_King; Sir_Ed; TLBSHOW; BigRedQuark; yendu bwam; ..
Leftism on Campus ping!

If you would like to be added to the Leftism on Campus ping list, please
notify me via FReep-mail.

Regards...
19 posted on 05/23/2003 2:32:36 PM PDT by Hobsonphile (Human nature can't be wished away by utopian dreams.)
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To: B Knotts
I agree:

"Paging Cardinal Ratzinger...smack down needed in aisle 5."
20 posted on 05/23/2003 9:40:48 PM PDT by victim soul
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