Graduates express support for Monologues
Application of Church teaching is inconsistent
After many years in the shadow of the Dome, the administration of Saint Mary's College has finally come out. President Marilou Eldred's decision to prohibit the performance of a play on campus of our sister school is the most embarrassing decision yet, outstripping (barely) Notre Dame's intellectually incoherent treatment of the GLND/SMC issue.
The public rationale for censoring the play is not that it is pornographic; not that it is below reasonable standards of public decency. It's apparently not expensive nor is there any lack of time or space available for the performance. Apparently it's not even a lousy play. It won't be put on because some people don't like it.
The "not in keeping with the Catholic Faith" doctrine (always selectively applied) that has afflicted the University for at least a decade has now infected the College. Notre Dame supports a "Baptist Collegiate Ministry" and a "United Muslim Association." Have these groups recently resolved their teachings with those of the Mother Church? Better not catch them putting on any of those Muslim plays or we'll run them out of the joint. I presume duLac will be revised to address The Cider House Rules?
The position taken by Notre Dame's and Saint Mary's respective administrations that free speech and association may be suppressed when the speech or association "conflicts" with Church teaching would be fine if the administrators were even slightly sincere about it. But the principle is only invoked against ideas and people they find distasteful.
Hence students may gather to discuss pro-death penalty thoughts and watch pro-death penalty plays; and they may gather to discuss acquiring vast wealth. I assume they do that pursuant to Luke, 12:16-21 ("And Jesus said, `Raise up before me a business school, that we may be highly ranked and profit mightily over the Earth and all her creatures'"). But no gay clubs: this is God's University.
Marilou Eldred suggested that dialogue occur "without the play." I for one anticipate breathlessly the publication of President Eldred's Approved Methods for Dialogue ("Chapter One: Don't Say `Vagina'"). The Observer reported Thursday that Eldred would not "approve" a letter from the play's supporters to its detractors. I didn't know she was reading everyone's mail.
Telling students they can't put on a legitimate play is a disgrace — humiliating to anyone who cares about out schools. Telling these particular students they can't put on "The Vagina Monologues" because it isn't consistent with Church teaching is a lie that thinly veils the effect this censorship will give to the fear and hatred of certain ideas on the part of those who happen not to share them.
Christopher James Regan
Notre Dame class of '97
Notre Dame Law School class of '00
W.V.
January 26, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, January 31, 2001
