Notre Dame Dialogue



[Editor’s Note: The following dialogue is in response to the article, “Gay? Fine by Notre Dame?” by James K. Fitzpatrick.]

Dear Editors:

I am a regular recipient of Catholic Exchange emails AND have many friends who forward me the latest news about Notre Dame. I currently have a daughter at ND.

My husband and I visited the campus from February 16-20 and were excited to see how Fr. Jenkins was handling the clamor for “academic freedom” on the campus. Concerning the Vagina Monologues he required that the performance be moved from a performance hall to a lecture room setting and attended the performance. Likewise, he required the renaming of the “Queer Film Festival,” and moved it from a festival to an academic discussion of the handling of gays and lesbians in film. He has not decided if these events would be held next year.

I have prayed for, and received, a President of my daughter's university who seeks to have academic discussion of controversial issues without applauding it. He took the wind out of the sails of the academic freedom argument by making it academic.

I believe Fr. Jenkins has prayerfully begun to turn ND into the magnificent Catholic university it is meant to be. My daughter has a chapel across the hall from her, limited visitation with no overnight stays by the opposite sex, crucifixes throughout the campus, and Eucharistic adoration at the Basilica.

Keep an eye on Fr. Jenkins, I believe the best is yet to come. Not only will its touchdown Jesus and Golden Dome be visible to the world, but it will become the vibrant Catholic City on a Hill making all Catholics proud.

God Bless,

Laura L. Connell

Dear Mrs. Connell:

Thank you for your feedback. I too am following the events closely and have high hopes for good Fr. Jenkins. I look forward to the day when he opens up the university to major chastity speakers to counter the radical feminist ideology so long supported by the faculty and administration. I also eagerly await the promotion of serious Theology of the Body and pro-life events by the university so that there's true dialogue on campus and a fair representation of the Catholic position.

Yours in ND,

Tom Allen '84

Editor & President

Catholic Exchange

Dear Tom:

Thanks for an additional issue to encourage ND to promote. I strive to take each opportunity to encourage our Catholic leaders to take action that actively instructs our young adults in basic Catholic positions. My husband and I just became Sorin Society members and I will pass your suggestions on to development. Last time I had dinner with a member of the development office, I encouraged them to advise Fr. Jenkins that he has our full support in promoting a less liberal approach to our Catholic teachings.

Thank you for your response.

Laura Connell



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