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Louisville Archdiocese Accepts “Right” of Catholic University to Have Pro-Abort Commencement Speaker

By Hilary White
 
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, June 1, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky has no objection to the appearance of pro-abortion Rep. John Yarmuth as commencement speaker at a local Catholic university. Yarmuth will give the address and receive an honorary doctorate from Spalding University, a nominally Catholic school, despite his position as a board member of Planned Parenthood.
 
Archdiocesan spokesman Cecelia Price was quoted by the Courier Journal saying that the archdiocese had no difficulty with Yarmuth’s appearance and that it was the “right” of the university to invite him.
 
“We understand that it is not unusual for universities to invite sitting members of Congress to participate in graduation ceremonies,” she said. “And we accept Spalding’s right to do so.”
 
A spokesman for Kentucky Right to Life Association told LifeSiteNews.com that as a Congressman, Yarmuth, who is not Catholic, has participated in three votes on life issues and voted each time against the pro-life position. He told a local TV station in May 2006, “I am a member of the board of Planned Parenthood, an organization which makes sure that children who are wanted are born, and those that aren’t, aren’t.”
 
His spokesman told the Courier Journal, that Mr. Yarmuth “supports a woman’s right to choose.” He also said he was “happy to accept” the invitation from the university to speak to graduates and receive an honorary degree.
 
Spalding University, which calls itself a school “in the Catholic tradition” told local news media that while students and faculty have not complained about Yarmuth’s appearance, “a few members of the alumni community” have objected. The University is named for prominent Kentucky native, Mother Catherine Spalding, superior of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and a pioneer in 19th century education and health care.
 
Cecelia Price said, “There are important issues about which we have disagreements and agreements with Mr. Yarmuth as is the case with many lawmakers.” Price said the archdiocese will “continue to work with him on those issues we share in common and educate him about our positions in areas of disagreement.”
 
Price made no mention of the 2004 document, Catholics in Political Life, from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops that explicitly stated that “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honour those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honours or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Price did not return calls to LifeSiteNews.com by deadline.
 
Spalding’s Tori Murden McClure, vice president for external relations told the Courier Journal, "We have not asked Mr. Yarmuth to make a political statement on the subject of abortion," she said in a statement. "We have asked the congressman to offer words of advice and encouragement to our graduates."
 
Spalding’s interest in having Yarmuth speak appears to be financial. Murden McClure said, “The congressman is in a position to influence financial aid policies that might improve access to higher education for those who can least afford it.”
 
To express concerns to Dr. Jo Ann Rooney
President of Spalding University:
851 South Fourth Street, Louisville KY 40203
Phone: 502-585-9911 or 800-896-8941
Fax: 502-585-7158
jrooney@spalding.edu

To contact Archbishop Thomas Kelly of Louisville:
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1073, Louisville, Ky. 40201-1073
Phone: (502) 585-3291
Fax: (502) 585-2466
E-mail: chancery@archlou.org

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