CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY PRINCIPAL SLAMS RENOWNED CATHOLIC PROF (Peter Kreeft)

LifeSiteNews.com ^ | Tuesday February 4, 2003

[nickcarraway]

Intolerant of Peter Kreeft's defense of Catholic teachings on homosexuality

TORONTO, February 4, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Principal of the Catholic University of St. Michael's College (USMC) - an affiliate of the University of Toronto - has denounced a lecture by world renowned Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft.

USMC Principal, Professor Mark McGowan, who was earlier embroiled in controversy over his support for a 'gay and lesbian' group at USMC, said in an open letter in the university's student newspaper, The Mike, that "The Kreeft lecture greatly detracted from the inclusive and respectful environment we are trying to nurture at St. Michael's." The open letter was signed with "Principal's Advisory Committee of Sexual Orientation & Professor mark G. McGowan, Principal of SMC".

The pro-life student's group at USMC invited Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., to speak at the university. Kreeft, a professor of philosophy at Boston College since 1965 and a regular contributor to several Christian publications, is in wide demand as a speaker at conferences, and is the author of over 40 books; he is widely acclaimed as one of the leading Christian apologists of our time.

Hilary White of Campaign Life Catholic who attended the November 8 Kreeft lecture said that Dr. Kreeft merely "expounded on Catholic teaching regarding homosexuality in answer to pointed questions by homosexual activists who attended the event." White explained that "Letters of complaint on the lecture were sent by homosexual activists who demonstrated that they had not listened to the lecture, wherein Professor Kreeft distinguished between the sinfulness of homosexual sex and the love due to a person afflicted with homosexual inclinations."

Some of the questions and comments from the activists were notable for their intolerance and strong ideological slant. One questioner even commented that the Aztecs bloody human sacrifices of thousands of victims could be seen as "a beautiful ceremony".

McGowan quoted from the USMC "statement on inclusiveness" which was approved by the governing body of USMC on July 22, 2002. "St. Michael's is committed to doing everything it can do to ensure that people of all backgrounds regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality will feel welcome in its midst." In his open letter, McGowan states that "Many members of the audience felt belittled, patronized, and excluded from membership in the Body of Christ because of their sexual orientation."

Last year McGowan was implicated in the USMC controversy over the application of a 'gay and lesbian' group on the Catholic campus. The group, Queers at St. Mike's College, claimed to have McGowan's support for their application for official group status. Moreover, McGowan was seen to have a rainbow triangle (the symbol of the homosexual campus movement) affixed to his office door.

[nickcarraway]

Hear a Real Audio excerpt from a previous Peter Kreeft talk in Toronto:

http://www.lifesite.net:7070/ramgen/Kreeft/kreefconv256.rm (high speed)

http://www.lifesite.net:7070/ramgen/Kreeft/kreefconv56.rm (56k)

[Robert Drobot]

You write that McGowan is "Intolerant of Peter Kreeft's defense of Catholic teachings on homosexuality".

Does this mean he is equally intolerant of the Holy Bible as well?

[ventana]

By his very action, it would appear to be so. V's wife.

[Polycarp]

Dr. Kreeft merely "expounded on Catholic teaching regarding homosexuality in answer to pointed questions by homosexual activists who attended the event." White explained that "Letters of complaint on the lecture were sent by homosexual activists who demonstrated that they had not listened to the lecture, wherein Professor Kreeft distinguished between the sinfulness of homosexual sex and the love due to a person afflicted with homosexual inclinations."

Some of the questions and comments from the activists were notable for their intolerance and strong ideological slant. One questioner even commented that the Aztecs bloody human sacrifices of thousands of victims could be seen as "a beautiful ceremony".

pinging

[B Knotts]

Catholic teachings are increasingly unwelcome at "Catholic" universities.

[COBOL2Java]

St. Michael's is committed to doing everything it can do to ensure that people of all backgrounds regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality will feel welcome in its midst.

Oh brother...This could have been lifted straight from the Democratic Party's charter.

In his open letter, McGowan states that "Many members of the audience felt belittled, patronized, and excluded from membership in the Body of Christ because of their sexual orientation."

Typical. In other words, you either fully accept his policies, or you are a bigoted homophobe.

[Antoninus]

Those who speak out courageously in defense of Christian teachings need to know that there are many of us who support them wholeheartedly.

Send Prof. Kreeft an email of support:

Professer Peter Kreeft
Department of Philosophy
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA

Fax: 617.552.3874
email: peter.kreeft@bc.edu

Similarly, phony CINO administrators who publically dispute or deny authentic Catholic teachings need to get an mailbox full of outrage.

Mark McGowan
Principal, St Michael's College
Principal's Office
St. Michael's College
81 St. Mary Street
Fax 416-926-2330
mark.mcgowan@utoronto.ca

Go to it!! And please fire it off to your ping lists!

[Aquinasfan]

The group, Queers at St. Mike's College, claimed to have McGowan's support for their application for official group status.

I'm willing to give the professors a half hour to pack up their things before the college is razed.

[Antoninus]

I'm willing to give the professors a half hour to pack up their things before the college is razed.

I'd say you're too generous...

[SuziQ]

"St. Michael's is committed to doing everything it can do to ensure that people of all backgrounds regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, and nationality will feel welcome in its midst."

Everyone, it seems, except those who would faithfully uphold Catholic teachings.

[Antoninus]

My letter to McGowan follows. Please feel free to use bits of it for your own:

Subject: Your outrageous criticism of Prof. Peter Kreeft

Dear Prof. McGowan,

It has come to my attention that you have publicly attacked renowned Catholic philosopher, writer, and professor Peter Kreeft for a lecture he gave at USMC. You specifically singled out Prof. Kreeft's remarks regarding the authentic doctrine of the Catholic Church on homosexuality, saying in an article in the St. Michael's campus newspaper, "The Kreeft lecture greatly detracted from the inclusive and respectful environment we are trying to nurture at St. Michael's....Many members of the audience felt belittled, patronized, and excluded from membership in the Body of Christ because of their sexual orientation."

I would appreciate if you could confirm whether or not these are your true feelings on this matter or if you have been somehow misquoted or quoted out of context. Everything I know about Prof. Kreeft indicates that he is a great Catholic and well-informed on all aspects of Church moral and spiritual teaching. Thus, if you are denouncing him for simply relating the authentic Catholic teaching with regard to homosexuality, you are certainly not fit to be principle of a Catholic college like St. Michael's.

In the past, I may have let spineless politically-correct remarks like yours go by the board. However, in the wake of the hideous homosexual child-molestation crisis that currently afflicts the Church, I can no longer do so. As a Catholic layman, with a right to the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church, I am outraged that someone claiming a position of leadership at a Catholic institution would publicly attack those teachings in such a scandalous way.

I would appreciate a response to this letter, upon which I will decide whether or not to take this matter directly to other interested Catholic groups, including the alumni of St. Michael's. I am praying for you.

In Christ,

etc.

cc. Prof. Peter Kreeft

[Antoninus]

BTW, here's how the St. Michael's web site describes the school's mission:

Mission and Goal

Mission

The University of St. Michael's College, federated with the University of Toronto, seeks to be Canada's leading English-speaking Catholic University.

Description and Mandated Goals

The University of St. Michael's College is a Catholic institution of higher learning founded by the Congregation of St. Basil and expanded by cooperation with the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Loretto.

As a university, St. Michael's is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of knowledge for its own sake. As a Catholic university, it is committed to the study of the Christian tradition within a context of faith and to fostering the creative engagement of that tradition with the widest range of academic disciplines as well as with other traditions both religious and secular. St. Michael's welcomes faculty and students from every background who want to participate in its life.

St. Michael's seeks to provide an environment that fosters the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of its members. It encourages an understanding and respect for the values of the gospel and their implications for individual and social life.

Since they deigned to use a lower-case "g" for gospel, one is forced to wonder exactly what "gospel" they're talking about...

[Antoninus]

And here's my letter to Prof. Kreeft:

Subject: Thank you for your courage

Dear Prof. Kreeft,

I see your staunch defense of Catholic moral teaching on homosexuality caused a little dust-up at St. Michael's College in Canada (see http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/feb/03020401.html). I just wanted to thank you for having the courage to stand up to the politically-correct thought-police in such a public way. It's a travesty that you have to do so even on the campus of a Catholic university.

Please be aware that there are many of us out here who appreciate what you do. I honestly think it takes the courage of St. Paul to defend the faith so boldly in the face of such naked hostility as the homosexual extremists can muster. Be assured that even if you face terrible condemnation in this life for teaching in the name of Christ, your reward in the next will be great.

Thanks again and God bless you! Many of us out here are praying for you.

[eastsider]

Queers at St. Mike's College

Bump for satire, intentional or otherwise.

[NYer]

Catholic teachings are increasingly unwelcome at "Catholic" universities.

Bears repeating!

[Aquinasfan]

As a university, St. Michael's is dedicated to the pursuit and sharing of knowledge for its own sake.

If you think about it, this objective is idiotic and not Catholic (and reminiscent of the motto "Knowledge is good" of Faber college of Animal House fame).

JPII on the purpose of Catholic education:

Together with and in connection with the family, the school provides catechesis with possibilities that are not to be neglected. In the unfortunately decreasing number of countries in which it is possible to give education in the faith within the school framework, the Church has the duty to do so as well as possible. This, of course, concerns first and foremost the Catholic school: it would no longer deserve this title if, no matter how much it shone for its high level of teaching in non-religious matters, there were justification for reproaching it for negligence or deviation in strictly religious education. Let it not be said that such education will always be given implicitly and indirectly...1

The special character of the Catholic school, the underlying reason for it, the reason why Catholic parents should prefer it, is precisely the quality of the religious instruction integrated into the education of the pupils...2

Since a true education must strive for the integral formation of the human person, a formation which looks to the person's final end and at the same time toward the common good of societies, children and young people are to be so reared that they develop harmoniously their physical, moral and intellectual talents, that they acquire a more perfect sense of responsibility and a correct use of freedom and that they be educated for active participation in social life...4

[american colleen]

Letters sent to Professor Kreeft and Mr. McGowan, thanks for the links and idea.