Statement from Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, S.T.D.
Regarding Teen Pregnancy Conference at the College of the
Holy Cross
October 10, 2007
A controversy has arisen at the College of the Holy Cross
that has resulted from the College’s renting space for a conference
sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. The conference
involves workshops presented by members of Planned Parenthood and NARAL
Pro-Choice Massachusetts. Both organizations promote positions on artificial
contraception and abortion that are contrary to the moral teachings of the
Catholic Church.
I have received numerous complaints from people who are
shocked and outraged that a Catholic institution like Holy Cross would have
anything to do with such groups. They have appealed to me to ask Father
Michael McFarland, president of the College of the Holy Cross, to revoke the
College’s agreement to rent space to the Massachusetts Teen Alliance. I have
done so.
As Bishop of Worcester, it is my pastoral and canonical
responsibility to determine what institutions can properly call themselves
“Catholic.” This is a duty that I do not take lightly since to be a Catholic
institution means that such an institution conducts its mission and ministry
in accord with Catholic Church teaching, especially in cases of faith and
morals.
The moral teaching of the Catholic Church on respect for
life at all stages of its development is manifestly clear. Life is a
fundamental good that must be protected and respected from the moment of
fertilization to natural death. This teaching is so basic and important that
it provides the foundation upon which much of the Church’s moral and social
doctrine rests. It is beyond modification and compromise.
Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice are notorious
for their policies and practices that directly reject the Church’s teaching
on artificial contraception and abortion. The College of the Holy Cross
should recognize that any association with these groups can create the
situation of offering scandal understood in its proper theological sense,
i.e., an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. Certainly it
is understandable how people of good will could interpret the college’s
allowing presentations to be made by such groups as truly scandalous.
I strongly contend that the confusion and upset to the
Catholic faithful and others that flow from the perception that the
administration of the College of the Holy Cross supports positions contrary
to the fundamental moral teaching of the Church must be avoided. To deny
Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice a forum in which to present their
morally unacceptable positions is not an infringement of the exercise of
academic freedom but a defensible attempt to make unambiguously clear the
Catholic identity and mission of the College of the Holy Cross.
It is my fervent wish that the administration of the
College of the Holy Cross will unequivocally disassociate itself from the
upcoming conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Alliance on Teen
Pregnancy so that the college can continue to be recognized as a Catholic
institution committed to promoting the moral teaching of the Roman Catholic
church.
Issued October 10, 2007, WORCESTER, MA
http://dtf-jayg.blogspot.com/2007/10/statement-from-bishop-mcmanus.html
