Archbishop 'disappointed' by Xavier's commencement speakers
Archbishop Gregory Aymond at the St. Louis Cathedral in October 2014. (Josh Brasted, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans has told Xavier University he does not support its decision to award honorary degrees to "some" of the four speakers who are scheduled to appear during its graduation ceremonies in May. The four are former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, basketball legend and entrepreneur Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corp. of New Orleans.
Aymond did not identify which speakers concerned him. But on matters of abortion and contraception, Landrieu, Holder and Johnson all have taken positions that could be seen to be at odds with the church.
"I am saddened to inform you that some of those to be honored do not represent the values and teachings of the Catholic Church," the New Orleans archbishop wrote to the Catholic university on Feb. 20, the day the speakers were announced. "I was not consulted on the proposed candidates and remain disappointed in this decision by the university administration."
He cited a 2004 document titled "Catholics in Political Life," which states, in part, that the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who hold values contrary to the teachings of Christ and the church. "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions or moral positions," the document says.
Xavier responded Wednesday with a statement saying it stands by its selections. It called the speakers "leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to humanity." While Xavier remains committed to its Catholic identity, it said it based its selection on the honorees' "individual accomplishments and steadfast commitments, especially in the area of civil rights and social justice."
In an interview, Xavier President Norman Francis said he did not know which speakers concerned Aymond. But he offered a guess: Landrieu.
In 2005, then-Archbishop Alfred Hughes refused to attend a Loyola University ceremony honoring Landrieu and her family, on the grounds that Landrieu was not sufficiently anti-abortion. "If I were a betting man, she would be one of them," Francis said.
Read it all: http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2015/03/archbishop_disappointed_by_xaviers_commencement_speakers.html#incart_2box
Aymond did not identify which speakers concerned him. But on matters of abortion and contraception, Landrieu, Holder and Johnson all have taken positions that could be seen to be at odds with the church.
"I am saddened to inform you that some of those to be honored do not represent the values and teachings of the Catholic Church," the New Orleans archbishop wrote to the Catholic university on Feb. 20, the day the speakers were announced. "I was not consulted on the proposed candidates and remain disappointed in this decision by the university administration."
He cited a 2004 document titled "Catholics in Political Life," which states, in part, that the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who hold values contrary to the teachings of Christ and the church. "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions or moral positions," the document says.
Xavier responded Wednesday with a statement saying it stands by its selections. It called the speakers "leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to humanity." While Xavier remains committed to its Catholic identity, it said it based its selection on the honorees' "individual accomplishments and steadfast commitments, especially in the area of civil rights and social justice."
In an interview, Xavier President Norman Francis said he did not know which speakers concerned Aymond. But he offered a guess: Landrieu.
In 2005, then-Archbishop Alfred Hughes refused to attend a Loyola University ceremony honoring Landrieu and her family, on the grounds that Landrieu was not sufficiently anti-abortion. "If I were a betting man, she would be one of them," Francis said.
Read it all: http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2015/03/archbishop_disappointed_by_xaviers_commencement_speakers.html#incart_2box
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