Dear Parishioners:
Ochre Court at Salve Regina University.
Like many Catholics, including Archbishop Henning, I, too, was dismayed and disappointed that Salve Regina University recently hosted a political fundraiser for a presidential candidate. Sadly, it was held on the Solemnity of the Assumption of our Blessed Mother, the university's patroness. I wrote in this bulletin a few weeks ago:
"The Catholic Church does not support or oppose political candidates or parties. In fact, it is against federal law for the Church to take a position on a candidate or political party. The Church is not interested in partisan politics. Instead, She seeks to bring attention and clarity to the moral and human dimensions of the issues."
Partisan political events and party fundraisers at Catholic institutions undermine the non-partisan nature of the Church. Short of endorsing a candidate, giving a forum to a candidate and allowing funds to be raised for a campaign is a highly partisan act. Our country has a long history of the separation of Church and state. If they are sincere, our individual and collective beliefs and informed consciences must impact our personal and collective politics. However, when any Catholic institution or leader enters the political fray with such partisan activities, it is contrary to the message of the Gospel.
Governor Tim Walz and Vice-President Kamala Harris appearing at a Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic in support of radical abortion policies.
The outrage at the event was further compounded by the fact that the candidate supports the most extreme abortion-on-demand position in our nation's history. He enthusiastically supports abortion on demand up until the moment of birth. He advocates not saving unborn children after botched abortions. To say such a position is extreme is an understatement.
The university stated that it allows the rental of their posh Gilded Age mansion, Ochre Court, to any group. They claim it was a case of an interested party renting an available space on short notice. But also making a quick $10,000. It is, in fact, a weak excuse to promote partisan politics. Their decision to rent for a political event substantially undermines the Catholic identity of the university.
Recently, the university suggested it was simply a matter of academic freedom. This, too, is a disingenuous attempt to justify the unjustifiable. There was nothing academic about a partisan fundraising rally that raised over $500,000 for a presidential candidate who holds extremist views on the sanctity of human life contrary to clear Catholic teaching.
Some suggest the public outrage is overblown. However, I reject such suggestions because the Church and her Mission, even at a university, are undermined when She becomes a partisan pawn of any political party or particular candidate. The Church is not Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Green. She supports no particular candidate. She must never give the appearance evenly tacitly to do so.
This event clearly wasn't an academic exercise. After all, it wasn't a debate, an issues forum, or a major policy speech. Rather, it was a political rally raising money for a candidate who espouses gravely immoral policies! Thus, Catholics are right to be disappointed, even outraged, and scandalized.
Statue of the Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, educating a young woman.
The Sisters of Mercy, who operate Salve Regina, were founded by the Venerable Mother Catherine McAuley in 1831. They have admirably served the poor and as educators for nearly two centuries. Mother McAuley told her Sisters: "We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us." This recent event was not a shining lamp moment. It shed no light upon the truth of the Gospel. Rather, it tarnished the Sisters of Mercy, Salve Regina, and the Church with the darkness of partisan politics and scandalous extremism.
The Venerable Fulton J. Sheen once wrote about Jesus: "Because He was too religious, He was not political enough. The religious judges said that He had no concern for the fact that the Romans were their masters and that they might take away their country. By talking about a spiritual kingdom, a higher moral law, and His divinity, and by becoming the leader of a spiritual crusade, He was accused of being indifferent to the needs of the people and nation's well-being."
Thursday is the First Day of School at OLM. Please pray for students and faculty. Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!