Jan 11, 2013 Print this article

Atheist Invited to Catholic Campus: What Would Saint Ignatius Do?

In opposition to its Catholic identity, Fairfield University has invited a vocal opponent of Church teaching. On Monday, January 28th, the Jesuit institution will welcome Fran Lebowitz to its Open Visions Forum Lecture Series, despite her public support for abortion and same-sex "marriage."

In addition to her atheist position, Lebowitz's pro-abortion stance makes her message patently incompatible with the mission of the Church, which Fairfield University should uphold. Furthermore, her support for the legalization of same-sex “marriage,” as well as her own identification with the homosexual movement, deserves rejection, not a speaking platform at a Catholic university. The website for the event promises “insights on timely issues such as gender, race, gay rights, and the media.”

"I've been an atheist since I was about 7 years old."
-- Fran Lebowitz to Haaretz.com

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states that "...Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

Would Saint Ignatius give her a prestigious platform to spread her errors?

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