What takes precedence
SOUTH BEND — A theological seminar for
Roman Catholic bishops that had been scheduled for the University of
Notre Dame will be moved off campus because of a planned performance of
the play "The Vagina Monologues."
The Catholic bishops made the decision because they disagree with the
university administration’s decision to allow a student performance of
the controversial play.
"Because of the likelihood of the presentation of the play ‘The Vagina
Monologues’ at Notre Dame this year, the bishops made a collective
decision to move the seminar off campus," the Most Rev. John M. D’Arcy,
bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, said today in
a written statement. The bishop declined a request for an interview.
The seminar, which includes Notre Dame faculty speakers and is
co-sponsored by the university’s Institute for Church Life, had been
scheduled for Monday through Wednesday on campus. Instead, it will be
at the convent of the Sisters of St. Francis in Mishawaka.
Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown confirmed that the bishops moved the
gathering off campus and that the decision was related to "The Vagina
Monologues."
The university issued the following written statement:
"We understand that not all are in full agreement about the propriety
of allowing performances of this play on a Catholic campus. Because of
concerns about the play and its potential performance, we have worked
collaboratively with the bishops to move the conference out of respect
for everyone involved.
So I guess moving the Bishop's conference off campus makes so much more sense than moving VM off campus.
Known as 
"So I guess moving the Bishop's conference off campus makes so much more sense than moving VM off campus."
You nailed it. Notice how the ND spokesperson said they worked "collaboratively with the bishops to move the conference out of respect for everyone involved."
That is some gifted spin. I read that to mean, that ND would not concede to the bishops' request to cancel the play. How someone fits "collaboration" into that mix . . .
The V.M. are *so* critical for any "Catholic" University. Catholic Universities must at all costs not offend the V.M. It might actually hurt their feelings.
Having actually seen the thing, I really can't understand how the most secular, atheistic, feminist woman alive could possibly find the V.M. uplifting to women. From a purely secular standpoint it's utterly degrading. Among other things, it glorifies rape and states that a woman's entire worth is to be found in her genitals.
Well, it probably doesn't need to be said, but good for the bishops. That certainly makes a statement, spin or no spin.
I think that the Bishops should have a formal boycott rosary walk throughout the campus in protest. Sometimes words are not enough. It would take a lot of courage. Do you think that they would be up to it? We need leaders with courage. So what, if they lose their jobs.
Of course, I do not have all the facts. Do I need them?
Those students should have a boycott too in support of our Bishops.
Those employees should have a boycott too in support of our Bishops.
Those teachers should have a boycott too in support of our Bishops.
Those citizens should have a boycott too in support of our Bishops.
Dear Blessed Mother, please help our Bishops to have more respect from this University. Amen
I fail to see how this play isn't labeled as discriminatory against females. On-campus promotions for this are disgusting. At a local college here, suggestive lollipops were displayed and sold in the cafeteria to promote Eve Ensler's play. Why is that ok, even at a public school?
"So I guess moving the Bishop's conference off campus makes so much more sense than moving VM off campus." That was my response, too. Hmmm...Maybe they should move Notre Dame and leave the VM and audience all alone and that would be easier than banning the play?
It is possible to ban it. PC did. :)
Notre Dame cannot be a Catholic University.
And these Bishops fail as our shepherds when confronted by 'the Adversary'.
Small wonder the faithful continue to teeter on the edge of the black-hole that has become our Paganized secular culture and the second-biggest Christian denomination is 'fallen-away' Catholics.
May God quickly grant these Bishops some spiritual 'cajonies'...
I worked at ND over the summer and I frequent mass there (we won't get into that). However, I may be wrong on this but I believe that ND is not a Catholic University but a University in the "Catholic Tradition."
The remainder of my post was cut off... This does not make it right but I believe that the board only has to maintain a few buildings etc... Basically profiting off of a Catholic heritage.
I support the Bishops in their decision. Though the Bishops can 'discipline' the university, they can't ever stop it from preforming the VM. Moving the meeting off campus because of the play sends a strong message to the university that the Bishops do not approve of the play.
You mean -- the bishops are acting like bishops? Wow!
V.M. = another tired example of the contemporary preoccupation with topics below the waistline. The bishops, by taking their meeting off campus are not only offering a message with clear Gospel overtones (Mt. 5:39-41), they are successfully allowing a fire, lit by theater goers seeking a cheap thrill, to burn itself out. Hey N.D. - how about some great theater vs pop schlock? I.e., something worthy of a campus named for Our Lady.
As a Notre Dame Law School grad, I continue to be disappointed by the administration's decision, year after year, to allow this tripe to play on a campus hallowed by Our Lady's name. (The law school, fortunately, is far more Catholic than the rest of the university.)
This whole matter stinks. So what is to done about it. Leave the devil to do his will? Cowards, cowards, everywhere cowards. And do not think for a moment that I, personally have done nothing. Stand up, speak up, write, talk, and do everything you can think of to change the culture. Get busy and change the world. Jesus was busy night and day. Pray and work to change the culture. Get busy. Get going. Do not stop. Get on everyone's case. Do not let up. Turn the TV off, and do something constructive. Get the momentum going. Everyone get going. This University needs to be saved. Do it for Blessed Mother. It is about time we see her smile and be proud of us. Those kids live in a black hole. Let's get them out into the light. All ideas are useful. All efforts are of value. Just do something!
The Monologues are not yet approved to be performed this year on ND's campus. Pray that they are denied.
I do hope that the Dean (in whose hands the matter currently rests) gets the message that the bishops and many of us here on campus are sending.
Unlike what Rose said in the above post, we "kids" do not "live in a black hole." We simply have some unfortunate rotten apples sitting around at the bottom of the barrel - and it takes a lot of work to get them out.
Notre Dame is still a Catholic University. As a current student who actually witnesses what goes on here day in and day out, I will stand by that statement. You can read more on my blog, and I will gladly discuss the matter with anyone there or via email.
Please direct your protests to the purveyors of this pornography at Notre Dame:
Mark Schurr,
Chairman, Anthropology Department
647 Flanner Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574 631 7638
Mark.R.Schurr.1@nd.edu
Rory McVeigh,
Chairman, Sociology Department
739 Flanner Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574 631 0386
rmcveigh@nd.edu
Dana Jacobson starring in “The Vagina Monologues”? MAYBE at Notre Dame, but definitely on Fighting Irish Thomas.
The Vagina Monologues’ St. Valentine’s Day Massacre at Notre Dame: An open letter to Fr. Jenkins
I hold the same high esteem for the bishops & "Our Lady's School", as I do (never having seen them),for the "Monologues". Our core values, our pride, our country are in trouble.