Creighton University and author Anne Lamott have mutually agreed upon cancellation of her public lecture on September 19, 2007.
After careful review of Ms. Lamott’s most recent writings (which postdated her contract agreement), we have concluded that key points are in opposition to Catholic teaching which, in our judgment, makes her an inappropriate choice for the Women and Health Lecture Series.
Creighton University is not “viewpoint neutral” as we have a religious, Catholic mission. However, as an authentic university, Creighton does respect other views and regularly has speakers, panelists and others who do not necessarily agree with all aspects of our beliefs. At a featured lecture like this, the degree to which the speaker’s views do not harmonize with our Catholic mission becomes more salient. As a Jesuit university, Creighton is a place of intellectual honesty, pluralism, and mutual respect where inquiry and open discussion characterize the environment of teaching, research and professional development.
This made my day, maybe even my week. It’s too early to tell. I just love it when Catholic institutions don’t try to soldier on after making bad decisions, but find away out of the mess. Not only is this decision crucial for the witness of the school in the secular culture, but this may encourage Anne to revisit her stands on abortion and euthanasia…to actually think about them. When I read Bird By Bird I got the impression that she’s extremely impulsive and her actions and beliefs are driven almost solely by feelings.
God heard our prayers.
CU hear our roar.
http://chpe.creighton.edu/chpe/w_and_h_2007.htm
Oops, sorry Amy. Didn’t see the link at the top of your post!
Alleluia!
A good decision on Creighton’s part…deserves a thank you email to President Schlegel, I think!
You have to wonder, though, how she got invited in the first place. It was never a closely guarded secret what she was.
After careful review of Ms. Lamott’s most recent writings (which postdated her contract agreement)…
They must have booked her in 1972.
I stopped contributing to the Annual Fund for Loyola University in Chicago last year because of their choice of speakers and events connected to the Women’s Studies department. One of the speakers made Annie Lamont look like Mother Angelica – she had actually performed abortions in the past and retained her pro-choice beliefs.
I wrote the President, the head of Alumni Relations, etc and never received a reply. I did keep receiving phone appeals that I politely declined. Recently, I spoke with a development officer who called and explained my position again. She suggested that I contribute to a “neutral” fund, like the archives. I received a follow up letter that explained their policy of presenting controversial views.
They just don’t get it. Thank God Creighton does. Maybe I just found a new Annual Fund to contribute to.
I loved Bird by Bird but just cannot understand how Anne Lamont can be so rabidly prochoice given the grace of God in her life.
Btw, Amy, I have read but never posted on your sites. Maybe I missed it, but what does Charlotte was Both refer to?
Presbyterian Off the Beaten Track
My son is a DePaul alum thanks to lots of dough spent by Dad. But not a penny more until they decide to become Catholic again. Because I’m just the guy who gave them $100K over 4 years rather than the alum, I don’t receive the telephone solicitations. I kind of wish I did so that I can give the poor caller a piece of my mind.
That said, I have been given to understand that DePaul has a new president who is committed to a reinvigorated orthodoxy. I hope that’s true and would support such efforts, of course.
Creighton apparently has a very large and thriving Right-to-Life group as well. I’ve been hearing little whispers of great things happening there, and this seems to confirm the rumors in a small way.
wow, a Jesuit University standing up for/adhering to Catholic principals, it’s rather novel…
Creighton does indeed have a very strong Right-to-Life group, there is a strong undercurrent of very faithful students that are committed to maintaining an orthodox presence on campus. Keep them in your prayers though as they face opposition, in big and little ways, as they gather for rosary, adoration, and try to bring orthodox speakers to campus.
I am thrilled to hear this! I would love to know how many calls and emails they received over this issue. JTII, I would hold onto your money. If you want to give it to Creighton, give it specifically to the Paul VI Institute there, where they are really changing lives and spreading the Gospel of Life.
To S:
The Pope Paul VI Institute does do wonderful work in promoting the “Creighton Model” of fertility awareness/nfp, but it is not, to my knowledge, affiliated with Creighton University at all.