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Posted on 08/29/2007 7:48:11 AM PDT by NYer
Former presidential candidate John Kerry will speak on campus this semester despite initial opposition by the office of University Center, Student Programs and Events (UCSPE).
The College Democrats will host the Massachusetts senator, who has been approved to speak specifically on environmental concerns and the Iraq war.
UCSPE initially rejected the College Democrats' request in early August, according to junior Mark Arnone, chairman of the College Democrats. Bill Jonas, the director of UCSPE, sent an e-mail to Arnone as well as Michael Nardi, chairman of the College Republicans, highlighting an unwritten University policy banning candidates from campus during an election year.
Jonas said that Arnone and Nardi were "on the same page and supporting each other" in their efforts to bring politicians to campus this year. They did, however, express concern that there is no written guideline on what defines an election year or when a politician officially becomes a candidate for office.
"There was no stipulation, guideline or clarification on what exactly is considered an election year," said Arnone. "We don't have any type of formal policy to look upon." The University, the national university of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops, has a presentations policy which states that the school "is not required to provide a forum for advocates whose values are counter to those of the University or the Roman Catholic Church."
Kerry, a practicing Catholic, has a 100 percent abortion rights voting record, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. During the 2004 presidential debates, Kerry said he was personally against abortion, but would not "take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn't share that article of faith."
Arnone appealed the rejection to Jonas who asked for more details on why Kerry should be allowed to speak. In a six-page analysis, Arnone highlighted that Kerry "expresses remarkable dedication to the doctrine and principles of Catholic social teaching established in Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical 'Rerum Novarum'" through his work "advocating for affordable and accessible health care, fighting for the minimum wage reform, defending the environment and championing the needs of the poor and marginalized, emphasizing responsibility both domestically and internationally and strives to recognize and assuage the problems not only of United States citizens, but of humanity collectively."
Jonas said that he considered and thought about the policy and saw the University "moving down a path where we wouldn't have any politicians at all," because of the expansion of the campaign season. "I'm glad they pushed the envelope a little bit, and I think they went about it in a good way. I want to approach it with a common sense framework," he said.
"We don't want to unnecessarily restrict who can come to campus, but at the same time, we are not going to have someone come here and talk about why the church is wrong, or in the extreme example, why abortion is okay."
Jonas said that these decisions cannot be taken lightly because they affect the image of the University off campus. "Some people are going to see that John Kerry is speaking at Catholic University and be angry about it," he said. "We have to find a balance."
Patrick Reilly, the founder of the Cardinal Newman Society which is dedicated to the renewal of Catholic identity in Catholic higher education in the United States, learned about Kerry's scheduled appearance in a phone call with a reporter yesterday.
"This is wrong on so many levels," said Reilly. "For a Catholic university that accepts Catholic moral teachings as truth to invite or to host an active political candidate who intends to uphold and possibly expand the incidents of abortion in the United States is entirely contrary to its Catholic morals."
Less than a year ago, Kerry called for a national commitment to reduce the number of abortions by reaching for common ground between anti-abortion and pro-abortion advocates. He said that there were areas of agreement - including tax credits for adoptive parents, more government aid for working mothers, and health insurance for everyone - that should bring the sides together.
Announced presidential candidates, said Jonas, will not be allowed to speak at the University because the University "should not give the appearance that we are endorsing a candidate." He said that the bishops have stated that Catholic universities should not give honors or awards to politicians who oppose basic Catholic moral teachings, but that "honors or awards" are not narrowly defined.
Kerry's knowledge and experience on the topics of the environment and the Iraq war make him an expert on the issues, Jonas said. He said that he sees Kerry's approval to speak on campus as a move in the right direction.
"The fact that we have John Kerry approved to speak sets a very positive and important academic precedent," said Arnone. "It says, yes this man doesn't agree with us on every single issue, but because his words carry value we want our students to get some enrichment from this man, [because] he has served in the Senate and has so much experience."
Arnone said the College Democrats are looking to host Rep. Christopher Carney, Sen. Charles Schumer, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Rep. Jane Harman later this semester.
On the other side of the aisle, the College Republicans are currently in negotiations with Mary Matlin, Laura Ingraham and Edwin Meese III to speak at the University, with other high profile speakers currently in negotiations to appear on campus, according to Nardi.
Though Nardi is "personally uncomfortable" with the College Democrats hosting a politician who has contrary views on Catholic social teachings, he realizes that Kerry is "an accomplished politician and will have thoughtful insight on topics that students find interesting and relevant."
He said that working with Arnone "is a pleasure" and was glad that together they were able to find "middle ground with the University administration on this issue."
When contacted yesterday, Kerry's senate office said that his speech had not been finalized and an exact date for his appearance had not been set, and deferred comment to a later date.
What would you pay John Kerry to come and speak at your campus?
I wouldn’t even pay for his grilled cheese and a diet pepsi.
I hope his introduction starts with , “Failed Presidential candidate...
I emailed my three siblings who are Alumni suggesting they write letters asking them to retract the invitation as it woudl be a HUGE black eye for the University.
I was just told that Kerry was converted to Judaism on another article. Or is he flip floppy on religion too?
That's neither here nor there (ha! a good way to describe John Kerry's religiousity) except that he likes to put it on the flashing marquee when talking up Jewish audiences looking for donations.
Okay, so he IS Catholic, except when he is not. Then it is up for the highest bidder? All things to all men (with contributions in their hands)?
Most clever, isn't it!!
Look for more of this to happen as candidates try to pick up votes from Catholics in the 2008 election. You can be certain that the majority of them have never read any papal encyclicals and will accept as 'truth' what the dems say rather than wade through the papers themselves.
Great idea! Kudos!
They play their audience like pawns in a chess match. Check out the excellent catch by stylin19a in post #4, and my response.
His religion? Cash and Kerry.
"Catholic University" bans pro-abortion speakers, Bishops to Catholic Politicians: Vote Pro Life
John F. Kerry gives CPR to a dead Hamster yet votes NO 6 times to BAN Partial Birth Abortion!!! Tries to save a Rodent and allows the slaughter of human beings created in God's image. What does that tell you about his Character?
"had also dived off a dock to save a hamster named Licorice from what the elder sister, Alexandra, called "a watery doom," even administering CPR."
116. Bishops are never relieved of their own personal obligations. It falls to them, in communion with the Holy See, both to grant the title "Catholic" to Church-related schools, universities, health-care facilities and counseling services, and, in cases of a serious failure to live up to that title, to take it away.
Ex Corde EcclesiaeThe Application to the United States
Office of the President
Nugent Hall
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Ave NE
Washington DC 20064
Phone: 202-319-5100
E-mail: cua-president@cua.edu
Thanks for the contact information.
From HERO...
To ZERO...
The thing is Archbishop Sheen saw this age comming far far before the rest of us could. The expression “rolling in his grave” cannot apply here.
Thanks for the links, Coleus. I was hoping you would post those contacts for us.
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