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Press Release: An Open Letter to the President of the College of the Holy Cross
Catholic Family Association of America ^ | Sunday, February 10, 2002 | Timothy A. Chichester

Posted on 02/11/2002 6:35:34 PM PST by Brian Kopp DPM

Sunday, February 10, 2002

Press Release: An Open Letter to the President of the College of the Holy Cross

 

The letter in the attached Adobe Reader file (HCMcFar.pdf) contains some of the vile language contained in the Vagina Monologues play scheduled for the College of the Holy Cross on Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. Do not open it if you are easily offended.

That this anti-Catholic garbage should appear on any Catholic campus is blaspheme.

I urge you to call both Fr. McFarland and Bishop Reilly and register your protest.

Sincerely in Christ,
Timothy A. Chichester
President

cc: Fr. McFarland , Bishop Reilly, various staff and alumni, media

Michael C. McFarland, S.J.
President
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
508-793-2011 Fax: 508-793-2347

mailto:mmcfarla@holycross.edu

 

Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly
49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Tel: 508-791-7171;
Fax: 508-753-7180



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abortionlist; catholiclist; christianlist; prolife
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To: J.R.R. Tolkien
I'll believe it when I don't see it. The screen name sleuth will always find you, but your secret identities are always safe with me ;-)
41 posted on 02/12/2002 5:50:43 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: ArGee
At this point, I honestly think prayers will do more for the cause than protest, but one never knows...Thank you for your prayers, ArGee.
42 posted on 02/12/2002 5:52:05 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: IM2Phat4U
Funny I would get pinged here ..I thought I was a major RC Basher.

I will write too..

43 posted on 02/12/2002 5:53:00 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: IM2Phat4U
My email;

To:
Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J.
I am writing to tell you that I feel the college's presentation of anti family,feminist propaganda is totally inappropriate in any college calling itself 'Christian". Parents entrust their young people to you for moral development as well as intellectual .they may as well send them to State Universities (at considerable savings) as you bring the perversion right to them.
Sincerely,

44 posted on 02/12/2002 6:00:33 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7
Thanks for your help, RnMomof7. On some things I hope "protestant bashers" and "Catholic bashers" can work together. And of course, bashing is a subjective term. I acted quite badly on that thread yesterday, I was just fed up with certain hardened bashers, and I apologize for my poor behavior there.
45 posted on 02/12/2002 6:15:43 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: proud2bRC
I have always been straight up and respectful of you.I do not deserve that "label" and I think you know that.

I just would prefer not to be flagged to any more RC threads.

46 posted on 02/12/2002 6:34:28 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: ArGee
Awwww ArGee...come on, be a sport. This isn't a Catholic issue. It's a decency issue. Don't you think? If someone can stand up for decency and class, maybe other schools will have the courage to do so. I think we should fight this disgusting play no matter where it's performed. But as always, I respect your opinion on the matter. You are a good man.
47 posted on 02/12/2002 6:39:22 AM PST by SpookBrat
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To: Aunt Polgara
Have you been pinging on this yet? I didn't see your name.
48 posted on 02/12/2002 6:43:00 AM PST by SpookBrat
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To: RnMomof7
I was trying to be conciliatory, I was trying to say you are no more a Catholic basher any more than I am a protestant basher, but failed. I should have included a smiley face or /sarcasm line. Sorry. Nerves are frayed on all sides. I will repect your wishes.
49 posted on 02/12/2002 6:43:34 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: IM2Phat4U
Here's the letter I sent to the Pres and faxed his bishop:

To:
Michael C. McFarland, S.J.
President
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA 01610-2395

From:
Dr. Brian Kopp
Johnstown, PA

Dear Fr. Michael C. McFarland, S.J.,

I just wanted to send a quick note to express my dismay that a Catholic institution such as yours would be hosting the Vagina Monologues play, scheduled for the College of the Holy Cross on Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

This blasphemous, anti-Catholic, anti-Christian-morality play has no place on a Catholic campus.

If this has been scheduled with neither your knowledge nor your assent, I would hope and pray that you would immediately intervene to stop such crudity on your campus at the holy time of the beginning of Lent.

If this has been scheduled with your knowledge and assent, then you are guilty of malfeasance in your duties to shepherd the flock entrusted to you and protest their souls from such blasphemous productions.

On either account, the final arbiter of your good will shall be measured by whether this play will go on tonight and tomorrow.

If it does, many Catholics, including myself, will be joining a formal petition to your bishop, the Most Reverend Daniel P. Reilly, to begin a canonical action towards removing the authorization of College of the Holy Cross to operate as a Catholic institute of higher learning.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian J. Kopp
Vice President,
Catholic Family Association of America

50 posted on 02/12/2002 6:47:55 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: SpookBrat
You are a good man.

You may be a tad presumptuous, but I thank you for the compliment.

It's not a matter of being a sport or not being a sport. The Church is the Church and, as such, is different from the Protestant denominations. She speaks with an authoritative voice and can manage her affairs. She should never care what the people think, what the poll results are, how we voted. She should only care what G-d has called her to do.

To that extent, praying that the Church will rise up and be the Church is, IMO, the correct way to handle issues like this.

(As an aside, that's why I liked those cards that proud2b was handing out at the march for life. It was a letter to Tom Daschle's Bishop asking him to serve his office, and a letter to Tom asking him to remember his G-d.)

Now, if my local civic theater were planning to show The VM, I would not only raise Holy He!!, but I would ask everyone I know to do the same.

Shalom.

51 posted on 02/12/2002 6:54:59 AM PST by ArGee
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To: proud2bRC
I have one more day, then blessed silence from proud2bRC from Ash Wednesday till Easter.

Technically, Sundays are outside of Lent. You can still visit on Sundays.

Shalom.

52 posted on 02/12/2002 6:57:08 AM PST by ArGee
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To: proud2bRC
I'll be sending them a piece of my mind for sure.

I've already notified one radio station here in Fredericksburg, VA
how much I hate their advertising this trashy show. I deliberately turn the station whenever I heard
the ads playing and haven't been back to that station in quite some time. I don't wanna hear it and
I don't need my kids hearing it.

53 posted on 02/12/2002 7:00:40 AM PST by MudPuppy
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To: proud2bRC
Just called. Their phones are ringing. We need to keep pinging. All Christians here, please, join us in this fight. This isn't internecine; this affects everybody, ultimately. Whose contacted Sean Hannity? He needs to be made aware of this. V's wife.
54 posted on 02/12/2002 7:02:09 AM PST by ventana
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To: ArGee
those cards that proud2b was handing out at the march for life. It was a letter to Tom Daschle's Bishop asking him to serve his office, and a letter to Tom asking him to remember his G-d

Here they are, not quite in the final form we handed out though. We handed out 17,000 at the March For Life. If anyone would like to receive some of these cards, see our web site, at http://www.cathfam.org


55 posted on 02/12/2002 7:02:55 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: ArGee
;-)

tempting...maybe I'll make up multiple screen names, just to keep everyone guessing...

56 posted on 02/12/2002 7:04:48 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: ALL
We will be printing these Divine Mercy Prayer Project cards for all of these pro-abortion "Catholic" Senators:

Every public official listed below is a hard-core pro-abortion Catholic. Almost without exception, every single one OPPOSED the ban on Partial Birth Infanticide. Most Catholics do not know that these leaders are "Catholic", and yet anti-Catholic in virtually every family related action they take.

High Priority!
These 14 Federal Officials need
YOUR prayer and sacrifice NOW!

Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD)   special note
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Sen. Barbara Milkulski (D-MD)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Gov. Tom Ridge (R-PA)

Of course, barring their conversion by the efficacious prayers of the faithful remnant, we are asking the Holy Father for their formal excommunication:

A Canonical Petition to Excommunicate Culture of Death "Catholics"

TO:
Pope John Paul II,
Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church

FROM:
PLAINTIFFS

Mr. Stephen G. Brady, President, Roman Catholic Faithful
Dr. Craig Bozzacco, D.D.S., President, Dentists for Life
Mr. Michael Cain, Editor, The Daily Catholic
Mr. Vinny Ciappetta, President, National Cops for Life
Mr. Christopher A. Ferrara, President, American Catholic               Lawyers Association, Inc
Dr. Brian J. Kopp, Columnist
Dr. Claude E. Newbury, President, Pro-Life South Africa;    Founding Member, Intrnl. Right to Life
Regional Representative for Human Life Int.
Mr. Joseph Scheidler, Director, Pro-Life Action League

Rev. Fr. John Trigilio, PhD, Editor, SAPIENTIA Magazine;    Co-host EWTN's Web of Faith
Mrs. Judie Brown, President, American Life League, Inc.
Mr. Richard L. Bucci, President, Catholic Radio, NY
Mr. Timothy A. Chichester, President, Catholic Family               Association of America, Inc.
Mr. William Cotter, President, Operation Rescue-Boston
Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, Author, "Breast Cancer: It's Link    to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill"
Mr. Phillip F. Lawler, Editor, Catholic World News

Charles P. Prezzia MD, MPH, President, Catholic Medical    Association
Donna Steichen, Author of "Ungodly Rage"
Monica M. Miller, Ph.D., Author

(Remainder to be filled upon closing of the signatory phase)
                    CLICK HERE TO SIGN THIS PETITION ONLINE
AGAINST:

DEFENDANTS


57 posted on 02/12/2002 7:13:24 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: proud2bRC
Wow, wonderful! And a great way to take the "edge" off of the anger I find myself feeling toward this man.

Thank you, and I'll miss your pings (can I say that on a public forum?? LOL)

58 posted on 02/12/2002 7:30:21 AM PST by Marie Antoinette
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To: ArGee
I'm offended you called me presumptuous. LOL I know a good man when I see one (or read one).

I hope I didn't offend you by saying "be a sport". I was teasing. Sorry!

I understand perfectly your point of view. Have a good day!

59 posted on 02/12/2002 8:09:18 AM PST by SpookBrat
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To: *Catholic_list; patent; notwithstanding; JMJ333; Aunt Polgara; AgThorn; IM2Phat4U; toenail...
Here's an update, pathetic response from the local bishop, not surprising...

Worcester, Mass.

Play will go on despite protests

Tuesday, February 12, 2002 By Emilie Astell

Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER-- The uproar over a production of "The Vagina Monologues" at the College of the Holy Cross is not stopping the play from being performed tonight and tomorrow night. Despite numerous calls to the Worcester Diocese and criticism from such groups as Students for Life and the Life Action League of Massachusetts, the play will be performed at 8 both nights at Hogan Campus Center.

Rumors that there would be student protests outside the campus center appeared to be dissipating last night, although some students who oppose the production may meet privately to recite the rosary. One student said the overall feeling on campus is that the production is a welcome event. The Rev. Michael C. McFarland, president of the college, said he supports the goal of the play, which is to raise consciousness about violence against women and to raise money for Abby's House, a local shelter for battered women. But the production is not the means he would choose, he said.

"It's meant to be provocative," he said last night. "That's not foreign to what we do as an intellectual and cultural institution. We have to do things that make people uncomfortable."

Rev. McFarland has not seen the play, but he has been told of its contents. He said he would find parts of it objectionable, but believes there is value in letting women tell their stories. The dialogue is drawn from conversations with women.

College administrators decided that the play was not so thoroughly wrong as to be unsuitable for a campus production, he said. "I understand that people are objecting to it," he said, "but it also has value. That's why we're going ahead with it."

Rev. McFarland and Bishop Daniel P. Reilly of the Worcester Diocese discussed the play after the diocese received numerous phone calls objecting to the production on the grounds that it contains obscene language and an assault on a minor, according to diocesan spokesman Raymond L. Delisle. The bishop is not planning to issue a statement about Holy Cross' role in presenting the play, Mr. Delisle said. "It's really a college issue," he said, "but because people are coming to us as well, we wanted the college to be aware of that."

Asked about the conversation with the bishop, Rev. McFarland said he was sure the bishop found parts of the production objectionable. The bishop did not endorse the play in any way, he said.

Traditional Catholic students are upset with the production, according to sophomore Travis J. Norton. Allowing the play on campus points out concerns about where Holy Cross is going in terms of its Catholic identity.

"I'm just a Catholic kid who's worried about what this is saying about our school," Mr. Norton said. "Holy Cross is implementing diversity at the expense of Catholicism."

He is concerned about some of the dialogue in the play that seems to approve lesbianism and masturbation, he said, neither of which are consistent with church teachings. In addition, the play is to be performed on Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar.

While he understands the college's desire to be diverse and show students different viewpoints, he questions whether that drive would mean going to an extreme, such as inviting to the campus members of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacy group.

Concerns that Holy Cross was becoming too secular were raised last year by some alumni. Mr. Norton said in light of that criticism, he was surprised that the play was allowed to be performed. "You'd think the administration would have a little more political sense than do something like the 'Vagina Monologues,' " he said. "I can't see their rationale."

Other students see the production as a chance to share new ideas. Senior Kristen J. Cortiglia, in charge of the production, said the play neither glorifies nor denigrates lesbianism and homosexuality. It does not take a stand on being gay or straight, she said. The play, which is being performed by students, also does not take a stand on such topics as abortion, she said, so it does not fly in the face of the Catholic Church. "To cancel the production would infringe on our academic freedom," she said.

Seniors Jerry Volpe and Melissa R. Murray, co-chairmen of the Student Government Association, said the organization supports the production and all the hard work put into it. Students were set to discuss the issue last night at a meeting of the student senate.

Ms. Murray said the play offers an opportunity to voice opinions, think critically and be challenged by new ideas. Mr. Volpe agreed.

"As a liberal arts college in the Jesuit tradition," he said, "this will enlighten students' minds and expand dialogue on campus."

*****

"As a liberal arts college in the Jesuit tradition,"

Ahhh, there is the problem in a nutshell...not the Jesuit Tradition of its founder, but the Jesuit Tradition of the Jesuits of the last 4 decades.

Like the proverbial "spirit of Vatican II" this new Jesuit Spirit is not the Holy Spirit.

--proud2bRC

60 posted on 02/12/2002 9:10:01 AM PST by Brian Kopp DPM
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