Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Chaste away from Holy Cross

The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., is planning to host an October 24 conference on preventing teen pregnancy that will feature Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. In doing so, the college is expressly defying Diocese of Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus, who issued a strongly worded statement urging the college to uphold its Catholic identity.

My employer, the Cardinal Newman Society — whose mission is to renew and strengthen Catholic identity at America's 224 Catholic colleges and universities — is presenting an event at St. Paul's Cathedral in Worcester on the night before the teen-pregnancy conference. A Holy Cross alumnus and a current student will speak briefly, followed by a talk from me on chastity. The purpose is to support Bishop McManus and to call attention to the message that Holy Cross and all Catholic colleges should be giving with regard to human sexuality and the culture of life. Here is the official press release — please tell your friends:

Please Join Us for an Important Talk on…

“Preventing Teen Pregnancy: The Catholic Approach”

What Holy Cross Could Have Done to Address This Critical Problem

Featuring CNS Love & Responsibility Program Director Dawn Eden

Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Cathedral, Worcester, Mass.

Please join The Cardinal Newman Society, in cooperation with St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Worcester Diocese’s Respect Life Office, on the eve before the College of the Holy Cross hosts a conference on teen pregnancy that includes representatives from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.

Despite a strong and courageous statement from Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus condemning the conference and asking Holy Cross to cancel the event, the college’s President has steadfastly supported it and says he will let it take place.

In her talk, Miss Eden will detail how Church teachings on chastity offer a solution to not only the problem of teen pregnancy but also the wider problems of family breakdown — while abortion, contraception, and other "solutions" offered by Planned Parenthood and their allies exacerbate those problems. She will also place the issue, in accordance with Church teachings, into the context of what steps Catholic colleges can and should take to promote Catholic values on life, love and sexuality.

This event is open to the public and The Cardinal Newman Society encourages a strong showing of support for Bishop McManus’s principled stand.
I would be grateful for your prayers as I and my colleagues at the Cardinal Newman Society, along with the Respect Life office of the Diocese of Worcester, prepare for this event. Thank you.