Monday, April 28, 2014

Scholars Disappointed in Aquinas College (Tenn.) Statement on Sr. Jane Laurel


A number of current and past Board of Directors members of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists wrote an open letter to Sister Mary Sarah Galbraith, president of Aquinas College in Nashville, Tenn., expressing their disappointment regarding her recent statement following a lecture given by one of the community’s religious sisters at a Catholic high school.

Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, who has served as an assistant professor of theology at Aquinas College, delivered a lecture entitled “Masculinity and Femininity: Difference and Gift” at a Catholic high school in North Carolina on March 21, as was reported.

The talk, which was not recorded, sparked controversy and online reactions which took issue with the content of Sr. Jane’s presentation.  After a meeting was held on April 2 between school administrators and parents, many of whom reportedly opposed Sr. Jane’s talk, Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte said that he was shocked to hear about the lack of charity and respect at the meeting. For more information, read “What Really Happened at Charlotte Catholic HS” by Austin Ruse at Crisis Magazine.

On April 4, Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith released a statement in which it was announced that Sr. Jane cancelled all speaking engagements and was preparing to take a sabbatical from teaching.

Now, an open letter laments the way the Aquinas president responded to the situation.  The letter argues that those who objected to Sr. Jane’s talk were primarily motivated by their opposition to Church teaching on human sexuality—which they took out on Sr. Jane.  (more...)


What Really Happened at Charlotte Catholic HS

What, my ostrich-feathered Knights of Columbus friends?

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