Articles on Fr. Jenkin's Address

[irish68178]

<p>NDparent said "There is, however, disagreement as to how we recommend a Catholic University campus deal with these issues. Is the solution to limit or ban the Vagina Monologues? Or wouldn't it be better to allow it to continue in full scope, and organize programs, panels, etc to be sure to include the voices of other groups on these subjects - the men's perspective and the Catholic perspective."</p>

<p>The fact that the Bishop of South Bend/Fort Wayne has come out and publically criticized the VM's being at ND shows us the Catholic perspective. I agree that there needs to be dialogue, and there is actually qute a bit of that here (programs like Theology on Tap cover a wide diversity of issues and are fantastic). I just don't see the monologues as appropriate nor do I see them providing the debate that you are talking about. I think that the ND retreats, speakers, and Theology on Tap do a much better job of it but I do think the discussion is happening.</p>

<p>South Jersey. Since I am a ND student let me know if you have any questions or if I can help you with anything regarding ND. Always glad to help.</p>

<p>Also, one quick thing to note...I think that the VM's can go on but Jenkins is talking about cutting the university support of it, which makes sense since we are a Catholic school. If the students want to put it on, they still can sign up for a classroom and put it on which is the plan for this year. They won't get to sell tickets and have it in the DPAC, however. I was actually REQUIRED to go to it last year for my Theatre class (and I went, got a program, and then walked out) and I am thankful that it won't be required like that anymore. There was quite a debate last year over a kid who refused to go to it, PM me for details. It may surprise you and you will be thankful we have Jenkins.</p>

[ndparent]

<p>irish68178
I think we have probably reached the point that we need to agree to disagree. You probably won't be able to convince me that it should not be shown at one of the, if not THE, premier Catholic University, because it includes stories that are in conflict with Catholic teachings.
I'm probably not going to convince you that they should be shown, in their full scope, because it is an award winning play and is part of a national - actually international - program to stop violence against women. </p>

<p>I'll give it one last try though....... :)
If the philosophy is that no information, books, papers, plays, films that include stories that illustrate lifestyles and/or beliefs that are in conflict with Catholic teachings - where does it begin and where does it end? Who decides? As I mentioned in a previous post, if it is acceptable for Notre Dame to "sponsor" a student to present a creative writing paper (that could include stories inconsistent with Catholic teachings) at a national competition, why can't a group of students or an academic department "sponsor" the Vagina Monologues. </p>

<p>If Notre Dame wants to provide education / majors in the department of Film, Television and Theatre, can they be outstanding if they do not have the freedom to chose the best educational experiences, regardless of the story line's consistency with Catholic teachings? You would not have a very highly regarded theatre education if you don't put on plays, and publicize to get an audience. Think of the many Oscar, Emmy, Tony award winning shows - as well as Shakespeare - that include homosexuality, pre-marital sex, divorce, not to mention violence. I realize that there are many that would not be questioned - but what about academic freedom? Who decides?</p>

<p>You raised an interesting point about being required to attend the Vagina Monologues last year. I do not think it is at all unreasonable for a student in a theatre class to be required to attend on-campus theatre productions. If you are a Catholic student in a world religions class - you probably are required to read about other religions' beliefs - I assume. If you are a non-Catholic in a Catholic religion class -you are probably required to read and discuss the Catholic faith. I agree, however, that the issue is much more complicated if there are strong ethical, moral, emotional reasons that a student is against a specific requirement. Perhaps an alternative requirement could be established. </p>

<p>If it were my child - I would probably encourage him/her to attend the film, play, speaker, or read the book - whatever - to broaden his/her mind. To try to understand why some groups of people think the particular reading/event are important. To try to develop a better understanding of those who are different or have different beliefs. </p>

<p>As I'm sure you know we live in a very diverse world. I hope my children, while in college, can get exposure to many aspects of this diverse world and to begin learning about people who have different beliefs and different backgrounds than their own. And most imporantly I hope they learn that people different from them have every right to voice their own opinions and beliefs - even at Notre Dame. It is through listening to others that we develop a sense of understanding and respect.</p>

[irish68178]

<p>I think it is going to have to be agree to disagree but I will leave some final thoughts as well.</p>

<p>One thing to remember is that the play does speak falsely (in a mocking way) about Catholics and that alone would be enough for me not to support it at a Catholic university <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/features/ensler/vm/excerpt.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.randomhouse.com/features/ensler/vm/excerpt.html&lt;/a>. Additionally, the Bishop saying that they are not fit for being taught at a Catholic university would be enough to say that they should not be here. </p>

<p>My final thought is this; Notre Dame is a Catholic university and that Catholic is a qualifier and a specifier. Yes, I can see the goal of a University is to educate you on all different sides of any argument, but a Catholic university should do that as much as it can but within Catholic boundaries. If a Catholic university was just like any other university then why should you go to a Catholic university. No, a Catholic university should provide a Catholic education and that is why VM's should not be here. People like me come here for the Catholic education, I could have gone to Wash U for a secular one. </p>

<p>Last thought: a kid who refused to go to the VM's due to morals was required to write a 10-page single-spaced paper when everyone else just had to go and see it. A kid should not be penalized at any university for refusing to go to something against his moral belief system but that especially should not happen at ND. </p>

<p>Just my opinion but I will respect yours and agree to disagree with you NDparent. Have a good one.</p>

[sabrina1]

<p>With all due respect, there are more scholarly pursuits leading to the "broadening of one's mind" that that of viewing VM. Academic freedom should also be a consideration. The issue of violence against women is indeed egregious -- I agree with ndparent. However, there are other ways to address this horror. The University sponsoring such a contoversial production may actually be to a lesser benefit that origininally intended. Moreover, there are risks of polariztion and divisiveness. Irish, once again, you are courageous. I can understand your displeasure with having to have been required to attend.
Bottom line, there are other ways to "broaden the mind." National or international acclaim doesn't matter. Much has gone awry with values and morals in the international realm. It's moral relativism runamok. There are still those that believe in some absolutes -- rights and wrongs -- yes, especially regarding violence toward men and women. We may simply choose a more conservative venue for instilling respectful values. Those choices should be respected as well.</p>

[coneheads]

<p>You can view the video or read the text of the address on Fr. Jenkin's website.</p>

<p><a href="http://president.nd.edu/academic-freedom/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://president.nd.edu/academic-freedom/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>