Regis University Stains Catholic Identity with Pro-LGBT Conference
Why are Jesuit universities undermining Catholic morality?
In the year 1877 in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico, a small group of exiled Italian Jesuits founded a university. Ten years later, it would move to Colorado, where it still stands today: Regis University.
Its namesake is Saint Jean-François Régis, a French Jesuit who lived in the 17th century. His apostolate was marked by a great zeal for souls, as he worked to convert Protestants and bring women who lived in a state of vice into a state of grace by turning them away from their immoral lives.
Ironically, the institution bearing his name is engaging in activities contrary to the work of this wonderful saint. Rather than working for the salvation of souls and the liberation of people from the chains of sin, it is openly promoting the homosexual movement to its student body.
IgnatianQ Conference
This shocking push to legitimize objectively immoral behavior in a Catholic setting comes in the form of an “IgnatianQ Conference” scheduled on March 20-22, 2020. On its website, the pro-homosexual organization boasts of its previous presence on several other Jesuit campuses, including Gonzaga and Georgetown.
The theme of the seventh annual pro-LGBT conference is: "At the Crossroads: Staying the Course for a Love that is Whole."
Topics in include:
- Intersectionality
- Change making
- Institutional discernment
Topics from previous years included:
- Magis: Translating Resilience into Activism
- Cura Personalis: Resilience in Our Wholeness
- Finding Q-munity
- Celebrating Identities: Queer Solidarity at Jesuit Schools
- Finding God in the LGBTQ & Ally Jesuit Student Community
At Loyola University Maryland, students are urged to attend the event. “Conference costs, travel, lodging, and food are graciously covered by a variety of campus partners and offices committed to the support and development of Loyola's LGBTQPIA+ community.”
Loyola’s website further states: “Any Loyola student who is interested in exploring sexuality, gender, and Jesuit values is encouraged to apply.” The online conference application form asks students to indicate if they identify as “bisexual, gay, pansexual, lesbian, queer, asexual, straight, heterosexual,” or “currently questioning my sexual identity.” Preferred “gender pronouns” are also requested.
Featured Speaker is Ex-Dominican Priest
In the about section for the upcoming event at Regis University, the purpose of the conference is to focus “on queerness existing in congruence with religious identities and spaces.”
The keynote speaker is the ex-Dominican, James Alison. Apparently, he was laicized at the request of a Brazilian bishop.
Alison, a native of the UK, was expelled from the Dominican Order and excardinated for clearly contradicting 2,000 years of Catholic Church teaching regarding homosexual sin. He said: “Actually I think they accused me of being an ‘internationally known homosexual activist,’ which always seemed to be a wonderful thing…”
Alison continues to present himself as a member of the clergy. His activity involves promoting the vice of homosexuality in Catholic circles as being licit and making appearances on pro-homosexual podcasts to boost his audience.
“Queer-Inclusive Regis”
Furthermore, a brief glance at Regis University’s Queer Student Alliance demonstrates how far the institution has departed from its Catholic heritage. The group’s event page on Facebook features: Transgender Day of Remembrance, Fall Drag Show, Coming Out Month, Queer Cura Retreat, and Democratic Primary Debate Screening.
The “Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence” features instructions to make Regis “Queer-Inclusive.” Among other things, teachers are told to “queer your curriculum” by incorporating “LGBTQIA-related readings, authors, guest speakers, case studies, and examples.” Students are rewarded for complying. “Require or offer extra credit for student participation in LGBTQIA events,” the guidelines read.
Promote virtue, not vice!
The IgnatianQ Conference will not be “in congruence” with the teachings of the Catholic Church, but instead opposes them. To allow this event to take place is an act of revolt against God’s law, a betrayal of the salvific mission of the Church, a shame to the legacy of Saint John Francis Regis and a grave disservice to Catholic students.
“I detect false compassion here because perennial Catholic teaching is not welcome, not embraced, not loved,” said TFP Student Action Director John Ritchie. “Everything about this conference undermines virtue, especially the angelic virtue of purity.”
“Mixing the name of St. Ignatius with a conference that normalizes sins against nature is offensive,” continued Ritchie. “If St. Ignatius of Loyola were alive today, I’m sure he would be on the front lines fighting the Sexual Revolution, opposing Drag Queen Story Hours for children, and forcefully denouncing the culture of death.”
“Our Lady of Fatima also told us that sins of the flesh lead most souls to Hell,” explained Ritchie. “Imagine how many souls could be saved if every Jesuit priest strove to rescue those who have fallen into unnatural vice, instead of attempting to normalize the sin? Our Lord said: sin no more. He didn’t say: go and feel comfortable about your sinful lifestyle. The worst sinner can be made whole with repentance, penance and amendment of life.”
TFP Student Action encourages all of its readers to make their voice heard to Regis University and say:
“Follow the spirit of Saint Ignatius and Saint Regis! Promote virtue, not vice!”
Firmly, yet politely, voice their concerns to:
Father John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J.
President, Regis University
303-458-4190
president@regis.edu