Pornography and a Panel
.. Some
claim that a performance of the play followed by a panel will “engage
the culture” and that out of such a discussion the “truth will emerge.”
Sadly, “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” is even cited in defense of this position.
But what makes a Catholic university distinctive is the conviction that
in the search for truth, we do not start from scratch; we start from
the truth that has been revealed to us in the Word of God, the person
of Jesus Christ, and the teaching of his church. The notion that truth
will emerge from a discussion in which many points of view are
represented both disrespects revealed truth and separates the search
for truth from the certainty of faith; instead, as Pope John Paul II
stated in “Ex Corde Ecclesiae”: “A Catholic university’s privileged
task is ‘to unite existentially by intellectual effort two orders of
reality that too frequently tend to be placed in opposition as though
they were antithetical: the search for truth, and the certainty of
already knowing the fount of truth.’” — John Paul II, Discourse to the
Institut Catholique de Paris, June, 1, 1980, cited in “Ex Corde
Ecclesiae,” 1.
For these reasons, I believe that the performing of this play, even
with one or more persons willing to present Catholic teaching, is in
direct opposition to both the spirit and letter of “Ex Corde
Ecclesiae.” Also, because it depicts and endorses sinful sexual acts in
direct opposition to church teaching, I believe its performance to be
pornographic and spiritually harmful. This judgment is made after
prayer, reflection and dialogue and after preparing several statements
over many years.
Because of this pastoral finding, of which I am convinced, and keeping
in mind primarily the spiritual welfare of our young students, the good
name of Notre Dame and her well-earned position of academic and
Catholic leadership, and the blessed Easter week — I remain hopeful
that Father Jenkins will reconsider his decision for this year and
future years. A decision not to sponsor the play is not only consistent
with academic freedom but is a right use of such freedom for it shows
respect for the truth, for the common good and the rights of others.
(ef. “Ex Corde Ecclesiae,” 12)
Exactly, the Bishop nails it. You can't present spiritual poison and then have a panel afterwards in the hope that the poison does not cause damage. Now if only Fr. Jenkins would realize that he has the perfect out. He can blame the bishop for stopping the performances. Though I would surely wish that he would do this out of obedience.
[Via Jay Anderson]
Known as 
Why not just show a porno?
Archbishop Flynn in his pastoral letter on pornography a few years back pointed out that 80% of young men in the 18-25 age range look at it at least once a month...
And as someone who was seduced by the lie of "harmless fun" I can tell you that if you are going to be sucked into debauchery, a porno would be far more titilating and stimulating than the VMs... With about the same effects.
So why not show the cultural phenom "Deepthroat" which was a 1979 top 10 movie at the box office, and discuss its cultural significance in a panel setting afterwards?
Sounds smart (and more fun) to me!
Father Jenkins needs to take a hint and cancel that stupid and degrading play. If the priests continue to ignore the Bishops and the Bishops ignore Rome why the heck are they so surprised when the "faithful" leave the church.
so who is the bishop?
so who is the bishop?
The bishop is Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne / South Bend Diocese (my diocese and bishop). He is a great bishop who watches over his flock. He has spoken up about this issue multiple times over the past years.
Sad Sad travesty. A VERY public disobedience here by this priest who refuses to heed the bishop's request. Maybe if Notre Dame were threatened to have its 'catholic' identity removed...would that be an incentive to act as a Catholic? Yeah, yeah--"academic freedom"--a buzzword to cover SIN. A sin to perform in, view, or promote this vile pornographic play.
SIN--anyone still know the meaning of the word? Occasion of sin here--alert!
But this year, finally, perhaps the outcry is enough to turn that stubborn heart. I hope some of the jesuit colleges who present the same porn will take note for their turn to be held up to dishonor is next.
That's MY bishop!Woot-woot!
(Oh, hi, Chip!)
So what you're saying is that if I get bit by a venomous snake I shouldn't form a panel to discuss how to turn this snake bite into something positive while the neuro-toxins slowly kill me?
"You can't present spiritual poison and then have a panel afterwards in the hope that the poison does not cause damage."
Hey, that's the same logic I used to argue against Catholic DaVinci Code book discussions, overly informative "health education" in elementary schools, and, um...Harry Potter. :)
Somehow, "Corrupt the potentially innocent and then ask them how they feel about it" continues to be the the reigning educational method.
Adrienne, You are right on the money. In 1054 the east orthodox threw out the pope. In 1517 the protestant revolt threw out Sacred Tradition and all church authority. Now modernists throw out all authority both public and private, preferring their own opinions.The refusal of authority is now prevalent within the church as well as out. The order of degeneracy is described in the book of Romans by St. Paul.This also affects vocations as one man said, "I will not sacrifice my life for a maybe."
I love that graphic...maybe I should email a link of this to my bishop so he can see what we need in a shepherd.
I learned in my very liberal education that the easiest way NOT to come to the truth or a reasonable facsimile is to have a panel discussion. After the anecdotal evidence and free-for-all opinions, eventually consensus is reached by bullying everyone who doesn't have "an open mind".
I'm unimpressed. This is nothing more than hot air from a weak bishop, with no follow-up action.
If Notre Dame is obstinate in its dissent from church teaching, it needs to be cut off from the church, it's President and co, excommunicated for unrepented disobedience.
Otherwise, we're simply left with the personal opinion of the bishop, however publicly expressed. The bishop is still tolerating this in his diocese. I guess in Indiana orthodoxy and obedience are one option out of many that good Catholics in communion with Rome can avail themselves of!
"So why not show the cultural phenom "Deepthroat" which was a 1979 top 10 movie at the box office, and discuss its cultural significance in a panel setting afterwards?"
My secular public undergrad institution did this as an academic exercise. It was sponsored by the sociology department. I've wondered if it might catch on here at Notre Dame, as Fr. JJ's logic totally permits such an event.