April 3, 2009 - Today marks the conclusion of "Queer Week" at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio – a Jesuit Catholic University: The objective of Queer Week:

 "A week to embrace and celebrate the use of queer as an inclusive, unifying socio-political term for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, straight, transsexual, intersexual, gender queer, or anyone else who supports the equality of all identities and expressions."  The quoted text is taken directly from the University’s web site.

I called the University to ask someone how this campus observation of, "Queer Week", appropriately fit into the context of Catholic moral teachings on the matter of homosexuality. Unfortunately , the number listed on the website only provided an automated voice mailbox on which to leave a message or request a call back.

The issue really is two-fold: How does a reportedly Catholic University promote, support and endorse a week of seminars and activities regarding a lifestyle that is contrary to Catholic moral and sexual teachings.  The second, how can any institution of higher learning consider itself authentically Catholic host such initiative.

Part of the continuously emerging concern in the American Catholic Church is the insistence of Catholic educational facilities to sponsor speakers, events and activities that are contrary to Catholic Church principles and teachings. The matter spills over into multiple topics, from (Pseudo) Catholics that are ProChoice, to the proverbial Quasi (Catholic) that endorses same-sex relationships, marriages and even gay civil rights. It seemingly looks as if modern secularism is not only infiltrating the foundational teachings of Catholic moral and ethical teachings, but is actively eroding the theological and moral principles from within: namely Catholic institutions, clergy and faithful that are erroneous in their understanding of what the Catholic Church precisely teaches.

Entities such as Xavier University engaged in discussion, development and fostering of activities such as,"Queer Week", are indeed not in compliance to the four necessary components that are consistent for an educational facility of higher learning to maintain its Catholic identity. Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities clearly states:

1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community
    as such;
   
   
2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing
    treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own
    research;
   
   
3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church;
   
   
4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the
    human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning
    to life.

Xavier University does not appear to provide a consistent vision in their application of these four points as stated by the Apostolic Constitution. As a direct result of this obstructed vision on the Church’s points, Xavier University is indeed not properly functioning as an institution of higher Catholic learning. They should immediately cease referencing themselves as a Catholic University.

The promotion of activities and events that are not consistent with the Church’s teachings leads to the disintegration and misunderstanding of authentic Catholic principles. The juxtaposition of a "Queer Week" at a Catholic institution implies a tacit moral approval of such alternative lifestyles as consistent with Catholic moral and ethical teachings.

Xavier University’s tacit approval of alternative lifestyles, alienated from the authentic Catholic teachings on marriage and family, promotes a heterodoxy and causes confusion among Catholic believers. To be Catholic is to believe what the Church teaches.  If Xavier is a Catholic institution then its implied approval of these immoral lifestyles should not be tolerated by the American Catholic hierarchy or by faithful Catholics.

If indeed any Catholic university wants to discuss the topic of homosexuality and the moral lifestyle implications, it should never be contemplated from a, “unified socio-political view,” but in the proper and correct context of authentic adherence to the Catholic Church’s guidelines set forth for the proper functioning of a Catholic University, and the proper implementation of Catholic social and sexual norms of appropriate behavior.

Xavier University…stop advocating political correctness and start observing Catholic morality!

Hugh McNichol is a Catholic author and journalist that writes on Catholic topics and issues. Hugh studied both philosophy and theology at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He writes daily at: verbumcarofactumest.blogspot.com & catholicsacredarts.com & pewsitter.com

Other Recent Stories: Scandal-Ridden USCCB Brings... USCCB Exec Carr, at Center Of... Conference of Catholic Bishops Exec... The Renewal of Catholic Architectural... Openly Lesbian "Catholic" Woman Is...	Post a comment Name * Email * Comment Enter letters from picture * * You must fill the fields marked with a red asterisk.