University approves Sen. Kerry to speak
College Democrats appealed initial rejection, Mass. Senator will address environment, Iraq
Ryan J. Reilly
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: News
Former presidential candidate John Kerry will speak on campus this semester despite initial opposition by the office of University Center, Student Programs and Events (UCSPE).
The College Democrats will host the Massachusetts senator, who has been approved to speak specifically on environmental concerns and the Iraq war.
UCSPE initially rejected the College Democrats' request in early August, according to junior Mark Arnone, chairman of the College Democrats. Bill Jonas, the director of UCSPE, sent an e-mail to Arnone as well as Michael Nardi, chairman of the College Republicans, highlighting an unwritten University policy banning candidates from campus during an election year.
Jonas said that Arnone and Nardi were "on the same page and supporting each other" in their efforts to bring politicians to campus this year. They did, however, express concern that there is no written guideline on what defines an election year or when a politician officially becomes a candidate for office.
"There was no stipulation, guideline or clarification on what exactly is considered an election year," said Arnone. "We don't have any type of formal policy to look upon." The University, the national university of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops, has a presentations policy which states that the school "is not required to provide a forum for advocates whose values are counter to those of the University or the Roman Catholic Church."
Kerry, a practicing Catholic, has a 100 percent abortion rights voting record, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. During the 2004 presidential debates, Kerry said he was personally against abortion, but would not "take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn't share that article of faith."
Arnone appealed the rejection to Jonas who asked for more details on why Kerry should be allowed to speak. In a six-page analysis, Arnone highlighted that Kerry "expresses remarkable dedication to the doctrine and principles of Catholic social teaching established in Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical 'Rerum Novarum'" through his work "advocating for affordable and accessible health care, fighting for the minimum wage reform, defending the environment and championing the needs of the poor and marginalized, emphasizing responsibility both domestically and internationally and strives to recognize and assuage the problems not only of United States citizens, but of humanity collectively."
The College Democrats will host the Massachusetts senator, who has been approved to speak specifically on environmental concerns and the Iraq war.
UCSPE initially rejected the College Democrats' request in early August, according to junior Mark Arnone, chairman of the College Democrats. Bill Jonas, the director of UCSPE, sent an e-mail to Arnone as well as Michael Nardi, chairman of the College Republicans, highlighting an unwritten University policy banning candidates from campus during an election year.
Jonas said that Arnone and Nardi were "on the same page and supporting each other" in their efforts to bring politicians to campus this year. They did, however, express concern that there is no written guideline on what defines an election year or when a politician officially becomes a candidate for office.
"There was no stipulation, guideline or clarification on what exactly is considered an election year," said Arnone. "We don't have any type of formal policy to look upon." The University, the national university of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops, has a presentations policy which states that the school "is not required to provide a forum for advocates whose values are counter to those of the University or the Roman Catholic Church."
Kerry, a practicing Catholic, has a 100 percent abortion rights voting record, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. During the 2004 presidential debates, Kerry said he was personally against abortion, but would not "take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn't share that article of faith."
Arnone appealed the rejection to Jonas who asked for more details on why Kerry should be allowed to speak. In a six-page analysis, Arnone highlighted that Kerry "expresses remarkable dedication to the doctrine and principles of Catholic social teaching established in Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical 'Rerum Novarum'" through his work "advocating for affordable and accessible health care, fighting for the minimum wage reform, defending the environment and championing the needs of the poor and marginalized, emphasizing responsibility both domestically and internationally and strives to recognize and assuage the problems not only of United States citizens, but of humanity collectively."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 53
Jim McGillan
Jim McGillan
posted 8/26/07 @ 7:46 PM EST
I'm no fan of John Kerry, but if the University will allow students the opportunity to hear others with a less liberal bent, as the article suggests, then I guess I can put up with Sen Kerry's diatribes. (Continued…)
Alum
posted 8/27/07 @ 9:10 AM EST
About time Catholic. Would have been far more impressive had they attempted this back in 03-04 instead of having Dick. Cheney and not letting Stanley Tucci (wrong spelling?) speak. (Continued…)
another alum
posted 8/27/07 @ 9:42 AM EST
I don't understand what they are so afraid of. Don't we see them speak on tv everyday? and don't we choose whether or not we want to watch them? why can't we choose whether or not we want to attend the speech on campus? Why does the campus believe we are so feeble minded that we can't decide for ourselves what we want to believe. (Continued…)
Jerry Hoffman '73
posted 8/27/07 @ 9:52 AM EST
Why is CUA so afraid of letting someone speak, even though they don't approve of his moral position? Does it think censorship is the way to win hearts and minds? Allowing both sides to speak freely should not be so scary. (Continued…)
grad student
posted 8/29/07 @ 9:18 AM EST
Hypocrisy and inconsistency!
Kerry claims he won't "take what is an article of faith for me and legislate it for someone who doesn't share that article of faith. (Continued…)
Larry Giroux
posted 8/29/07 @ 9:45 AM EST
Is there any moral position that CUA will not give a forum to support? If a candidate was personally opposed to rape, but wanted to open rape clinics, would CUA be willing to listen? After all, rapes go on in back allies, now. (Continued…)
Fr. JP
posted 8/29/07 @ 10:34 AM EST
It's OK to dictate legislation that stops the Global Warming fraud but it's not OK to dictate legislation that allows an unborn child life? It's OK to dictate legislation for a working wage but it's not OK to dictate legislation that allows an unborn child life? No to the killing of innocent life in Iraq; yes to the killing of innocent life in the womb! Catholic politicians who support all kinds of legislations that dictate policies but then turn around spouting off the murderous mantra, "I personally don't support abortion but. (Continued…)
Tom Harris
posted 8/29/07 @ 10:40 AM EST
The author of this article, Ryan J. Reilly, doesn't know much about the Catholic faith or about what he is talking about it when he says "Kerry, a practicing Catholic, has a 100 percent abortion rights voting record, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. (Continued…)
James Neeley
posted 8/29/07 @ 10:50 AM EST
I'm a member of the Ku Klux Klan. I demand equal time at the University. You hypocrites, liars and children of darkness claim censorship...yet you would deprive me of my message. (Continued…)
Larry Jamieson
posted 8/29/07 @ 10:59 AM EST
To: the truly Catholic student body of Catholic Univ....
When are you and other TRUE Catholics going to stop putting up with satan's attempt to influence believers of Jesus Christ and His Truth. (Continued…)
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