CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY UNDER FIRE FOR BANNING PORNOGRAPHIC FEMINIST PLAYSPOKANE, Wash., March 1, 2002 (LSN.ca) - While various "Catholic" universities in the US have allowed the play, Gonzaga University, a Jesuit institution, has banned "The Vagina Monologues". Rev. Robert Spitzer, president of the university, explained his decision to ban the production from the university at a public debate this week.
Fr. Spitzer pointed out that one scene involved a lesbian sexual affair between a 16-year-old and an older woman, which was referred to as a "good rape." He noted that the scene was obviously contrary to the "Catholic and Christian view of marriage." Decisions on allowing certain speakers and productions on campus, "speaks volumes about who we are, what are mission is, what we believe," said Fr. Spitzer.
The play, written by Eve Ensler, consists of monologues delivered by several different women, including discussion of orgasms, pelvic exams, sexual abuse, sexual fantasies and childbirth. AP reports that it is being staged all over the country as a fund-raiser for "V-Day", a nonprofit organization that claims to want to stop violence against women.
See the AP coverage:
http://www.king5.com/localnews/NW_022702WABplaybanned.4e96289.html
http://www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/news/religion/0227b213.html
If anyone would like to hear more from Fr. Spitzer, I strongly recommend his latest book, Healing the Culture. At our Reunion Weekend last year, Fr. Bob gave us a 1 1/2 hour lecture that summarized this book. It was awesome. Throughout this riveting lecture, this thought kept running through my head: Yes! This is my school! This is why I came to Gonzaga!
That weekend was my wife's first real exposure to Jesuit thinking, although she's a cradle Catholic. Within a span of 48 hours, her attitude changed from being a somewhat reluctant visitor to wanting our kids to follow in Dad's footsteps.
All I've got to do now is to figure out a way to pay for approximately $400,000 in tuition, books, lab fees, etc.! Piece of cake! I've got at least 3 more years before the first one heads off to college!