Seattle University, a Jesuit Catholic school in Washington state, is under fire again from a pro-life Catholic group that serves as a watchdog for Catholic colleges and universities.
On Monday, pro-abortion Senator Patty Murray met with staff and students on campus to discuss the new Seattle University Youth Initiative. There’s nothing wrong with the initiative, which will bring the university’s entire campus community together to improve the academic achievement of low-income youth living in the Bailey Gatzert neighborhood, but Murrary’s strongly pro-abortion record makes it so the school shouldn’t have invited her.
The Cardinal Newman Society says Murrary has an aggressively pro-abortion record.
“She voted against restricting UN funding for population control policies, voted against prohibiting minors from crossing state lines for abortion, voted against barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions, voted against banning partial birth abortions, voted against defining unborn children as eligible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and voted against banning human cloning,” the pro-life organization indicated. “She is rated 100% by NARAL and 0% by the National Right to Life Committee.”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted a policy in June 2004 that addresses pro-abortion politicians as well as colleges giving a platform to pro-abortion speakers. The statement makes it clear that Catholic colleges should not allow abortion advocates to have a platform to speak to students or be honored with special awards and degrees.
“Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions,” the bishops said.
“U.S. bishops’ policy is clear,” the Cardinal Newman Society has said. “No Catholic institution should provide an honor or platform to a public opponent of fundamental Catholic teachings. This is most important at a university that is dedicated to seeking and teaching the truth, and which embraces the Catholic faith.”
The information about Seattle University inviting the longtime pro-abortion advocate to campus follows a letter several pro-life groups sent to its president, Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, urging the school to end its promotion of the Planned Parenthood abortion business and pro-abortion groups.
Seattle University came under fire for offering students internships with the local Planned Parenthood abortion business.
In a section on “Public Affairs Student Internships,” Seattle University lists Planned Parenthood of Western Washington and encourages students to contact its career services department for additional information. No internship possibilities with pro-life groups or crisis pregnancy centers are listed. [related]
The problems go beyond the mere listing as the Women Studies department at Seattle University encourages students to “get involved” with pro-abortion groups. The Women Studies web page states: “On the Seattle University Campus, in the Northwest, and across the Nation there are countless women’s organizations for you to get involved with. Here are some links to help you get started.”
Immediately after this “get involved” offer, students find pro-abortion groups such as the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and Legal Momentum.
To complain, contact:
Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, SJ
President
Seattle University
901 12th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
E-mail: [email protected]
