Lay group mobilizes against Monologues on Catholic

[photosynthesis]

from Catholic World News:

[quote] Jan. 13 (CWNews.com) - A lay Catholic group reports that its 5-year campaign against the performance of The Vagina Monologues at Catholic colleges is producing solid results, with a number of Catholic institutions refusing to allow the sexually explicit play. However, roughly 10 percent of all Catholic institutions of higher education in the US appear ready to host the performances.

Performances of The Vagina Monologues, a play by feminist author Eve Ensler, have been scheduled at American universities each year on Valentine's Day, in a nationwide campaign that organizers describe as an effort to raise consciousness about violence against women. Critics argue, however, that the play is inappropriate for a Catholic campus because of its frequent use of obscenity, explicit references to masturbation and lesbian activity, and portrayal of the sexual abuse of an adolescent girl.

The Cardinal Newman Society, a Virginia-based group dedicated to promoting Catholic identity in higher education, has announced the renewal of its annual campaign to discourage performance of The Vagina Monologues on Catholic campuses. The group reports that 22 Catholic institutions in the US are currently expected to present the play this year. That figure would mark a slight decline from last year, when 27 American Catholic colleges showed the play. The number of schools hosting performances has been inching downward for the past 4 years; in 2003 there were performances at 32 American Catholic institutions, and in 2004, at 29.

"Clearly our message is starting to get through: The Monologues has no place on a Catholic campus," said Patrick J. Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society. Still he lamented the fact that many American Catholic institutions apparently remain prepared to host performances. Reilly saw this as "evidence of the continued crisis in Catholic higher education."

The Cardinal Newman Society reports that officials at several Catholic institutions welcomed the early reminder about plans for the annual production of The Vagina Monologues, and promised to halt any campus performances. The group encouraged concerned Catholics to contact officials at the institutions where the play is still scheduled to be performed this year.

The Catholic colleges and universities in the US which are currently expected to host The Vagina Monologues, according to organizers of the nationwide presentation, are:

  1. Boston College- Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Rev. William Leahy, SJ, president (William.leahy.1@bc.edu)
  2. Carlow University- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Dr. Mary E. Hines, president (hinesme@carlow.edu)
  3. College of the Holy Cross- Worcester, Massachusetts Rev. Michael McFarland, SJ, president (mmcfarla@holycross.edu)
  4. College of Mount Saint Vincent- Riverdale, New York Dr. Charles Flynn, Jr., president (charles.flynn@mountsaintvincent.edu)
  5. College of Saint Benedict- St. Joseph, Minnesota Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger, president (mbaenninger@csbsju.edu)
  6. College of Saint Catherine- St. Paul, Minnesota Sr. Andrea J. Lee, IHM, president (ajlee@stkate.edu )
  7. College of Saint Rose- Albany, New York Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, president (sullivam@mail.strose.edu)
  8. DePaul University- Chicago, Illinois Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, CM, president (dholtsch@depaul.edu)
  9. Fordham University- Bronx, New York Rev. Joseph M. McShane, SJ, president (president@fordham.edu)
  10. Georgetown University- Washington, DC Dr. John DeGioia, president (president@georgetown.edu)
  11. John Carroll University- University Heights, Ohio Rev. Edward Glynn, SJ, president (president@jcu.edu)
  12. Loyola University of Chicago Rev. Michael Garanzini, SJ, president (mgaranz@luc.edu)
  13. Loyola University of New Orleans Rev. Kevin W. Wildes, SJ, president (wildesk@loyno.edu)
  14. Providence College- Providence, Rhode Island Rev. Brian J. Shanley, OP, president (bshanley@providence.edu)
  15. Regis College- Weston, Massachusetts Dr. Mary Jane England, president (England@regiscollege.edu)
  16. Saint Louis University- St. Louis, Missouri Rev. Lawrence Biondi, SJ, president (biondi@slu.edu)
  17. Saint Joseph College- West Hartford, Connecticut Dr. Evelyn Lynch, president (elynch@sjc.edu)
  18. Saint Xavier University- Chicago, Illinois Dr. Judith Dwyer, president (jadwyer@sxu.edu)
  19. Seattle University- Seattle, Washington Rev. Stephen V. Sundborg, SJ, president (sundborg@seattleu.edu)
  20. University of Detroit Mercy Gerard L. Stockhausen, SJ, president (gstock@udmercy.edu)
  21. University of Notre Dame-- South Bend, Indiana Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.SC, president (john.i.jenkins.1@nd.edu)
  22. University of San Francisco- San Francisco, California Rev. Stephen A. Privett, SJ, president (privet@usfca.edu) [/quote]

[Laudate_Dominum]

wtfreek?

[photosynthesis]

You can take Providence College off the list, though, because they recently issued a statement banning the performance from the campus:
[quote]"Dear Members of the Providence College Community:

            Having spent my first six months trying to learn about the campus culture, I would like to inaugurate a series of letters reflecting on some of the most debated questions that I have heard discussed since I began my ministry as president.  I begin with the question of what is the most appropriate way for the Providence College community to work together to prevent violence against women.  Some people feel passionately that  the college ought to sponsor a V-Day production of The Vagina Monologues, and I have often been queried about my position on this matter.  To prepare a response, I have carefully read and studied the play.  I have met with some of the student leaders of Women’s Will, the main sponsoring group, to listen to their perspective and share some of my concerns.  I have pondered their position, discussed the matter with many people, educated myself about what other Catholic schools have done, and prayed to God for guidance. I have come to the conclusion that a V-Day presentation of The Vagina Monologues is not appropriate for a school with our mission.  Let me explain why.

            The back cover of my paperback edition of The Vagina Monologues asserts (1) that its principal aim is to be “a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery” and (2) that it has been “hailed as a bible for a new generation of women.”  I would argue that both of these claims are false.  First, far from celebrating the complexity and mystery of female sexuality, The Vagina Monologues simplifies and demystifies it by reducing it to the vagina.  In contrast, Roman Catholic teaching sees female sexuality as ordered toward a loving giving of self to another in a union of body, mind, and soul that is ordered to the procreation of new life.  The deeper complexity and mystery lies in the capacity of human sexuality, both male and female, to sacramentalize the love of God in marriage.  Any depiction of female sexuality that neglects its unitive and procreative dimensions diminishes its complexity, its mystery, and its dignity.  Moreover, to explore fully the dignity of woman requires not only a consideration of female sexuality, but also of the capacity of women for intellectual, artistic, moral, and spiritual activity; none of these dimensions are featured in The Vagina Monologues.

            Second, the description of the play as a “new bible” is an indication that its depiction of female sexuality is meant to displace the traditional Biblical view that inspires the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.  The two positions are deeply and diametrically opposed.  Nowhere is this clearer than in a monologue wherein the alcohol-fueled seduction of a sixteen-year-old girl by a twenty-four-year-old woman is described as resulting in “salvation” and “a kind of heaven.” What is thus characterized in traditional religious language is instead abusive, demeaning, exploitative, and morally wrong according to the true Bible.  Precisely because its depiction of female sexuality is so deeply at odds with the true meaning and morality that the Catholic Church’s teaching celebrates, The Vagina Monologues is not an appropriate play to be performed on our campus. Therefore the college will prohibit the production of The Vagina Monologues. 

            Doubtless some will reply that this is a violation of artistic freedom.  But artistic freedom on a Catholic campus cannot mean the complete license to perform or display any work of art regardless of its intellectual or moral content.  Any institution which sanctioned works of art that undermined its deepest values would be inauthentic, irresponsible, and ultimately self-destructive.  At Providence College artistic freedom is governed by the values embodied in our mission statement.  A Catholic college cannot sanction the performance of works of art that are inimical to the teaching of the Church in an area as important as female sexuality and the dignity of women.

            This policy will inevitably raise questions regarding academic freedom. The true meaning of academic freedom is often misunderstood; it is not the license to hold any view that one chooses. Academic freedom is instead always governed by truth.  It is the freedom to pursue the truth in a discipline in accord with the accepted canons of inquiry without any impediment by extraneous considerations.  Prohibiting a theatrical production of The Vagina Monologues does not prohibit free inquiry about the play.  All members of the campus are free to read, study, and discuss the play in various settings, especially the classroom.  It is perfectly appropriate that we study texts that have diverse views in order both to broaden our understanding of others and to bring our own views into sharper focus.  I fully expect that one result of this communication will be some controversy.  As a long-time student of St. Thomas Aquinas, I think disputes are an important part of education, so long as they are conducted with charity.  While arguments about intellectual positions help us to learn from each other, attacks on persons do not.

            Instead of producing The Vagina Monologues, the best way for Providence College to work together to combat violence against women is to strengthen its commitment to support Project  S.A.V.E. (Sexual Assault and Violence Education).  Project S.A.V.E is a collaborative effort of many student groups to educate the campus about how to prevent violence against women and help survivors heal.  The week-long effort will begin with a Mass on April 23rd to pray for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.  It will continue with educational presentations, displays, and performances, and culminate with the annual Take Back The Night vigil and walk. The college’s administration will work directly with student leaders to make this week the centerpiece of our efforts to educate everyone about violence against women.  I shall personally take part in events that week, and I encourage everyone in the community to play a role in making the week a success.

            It is my hope and prayer that we can move beyond disagreement on the merits of a particular text and work together on a cause that unites us all.  Let us strive for a deeper appreciation of God’s gift of human sexuality in all its complexity and mystery.  Let us endeavor to educate the community about the peculiar threat to human dignity that is violence against women.  Let us work together for the healing of all who have survived such violence.  If our efforts are grounded in truth and animated by love, then by the grace of God at work within us, our efforts will bear much fruit.

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Ph.D. " [/quote]

I'll be writing emails to the presidents on this list. I used to be a Women's Studies major and have seen the performance several times. It does nothing to endviolence against women, it only degrades women even more.

[Lil Red]

[sweetpea316]

[Didacus]

photosynthesis, that's the best post I've read all day (and that includes my own!) ! Thank you.

My favorite parts:

[quote]Doubtless some will reply that this is a violation of artistic freedom.  But artistic freedom on a Catholic campus cannot mean the complete license to perform or display any work of art regardless of its intellectual or moral content.  [/quote]

Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., Ph.D. has both a great strength of character and an excellent way with words.
God bless him.


Didacus



photosynthesisb, have yourself a free genuine Didacus.corp T-shirt!

[photosynthesis]

wow! Thanks! I'm very flattered

if we all write letters to these college presidents, we could make a difference

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='photosynthesis' date='Jan 19 2006, 01:41 PM']
I'll be writing emails to the presidents on this list.  I used to be a Women's Studies major and [b]have seen the performance several times[/b].  It does nothing to endviolence against women, it only degrades women even more.
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[/quote]

Yay! Someone with an educated opinion based on first hand knowledge & not just general second-hand outrage!

[blovedwolfofgod]

I tried to get this killed my freshman year. Me and a Protestant pastor tried to take it down. Lets just say we were met by angry liberal feminists yelling and screaming at us. They wouldnt discuss, despite the fact that they called the discussion. They just yelled "Until the violence stops". Lets just say, at that moment, I wanted the violence to start...

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Jan 19 2006, 04:15 PM']Yay!  Someone with an educated opinion based on first hand knowledge & not just general second-hand outrage!
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[/quote]
What? You mean it's OK to actually see things before you form opinions about them?

[toledo_jesus]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Jan 19 2006, 05:06 PM']What? You mean it's OK to actually see things before you form opinions about them?
[right][snapback]861174[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
I didn't see your post, but I'm replying to it and disagreeing with you.

edit to say the Vagina Monologues and V-Day are lame and stupid, and having women yell "vagina" repeatedly doesn't exactly empower them in my male eyes. Rather, it reinforces my misogyny.


edit to say I'm not really a misogynist.

[photosynthesis]

well, back in my wild militant feminist days i was a big fan of the play. my high school did it, and they also performed it at my college a few times. Now I look back on it and I can't believe people like this is good for preventing violence against women. It paints prostitutes, lesbians, dominatrixes and masturbation in a very positive light and the level of humor is about as sophisticated as "Ernest Goes To Camp." When I saw it when it was Off-Broadway in New York, they made the stage look like a giant vagina. People thought this was so liberating, and whenever people said "vagina" they'd get this childish look on their faces, the kind of look a 5 year old has when they hear the word "booger." It's just wrong on so many different levels

[Didacus]

I can just imagine the uproar of the 'penis dialogues' would do.

I can't wait to be 'empowered' and I think the guys deserve a break.

[Jaime]

I cannot find a way to respond to Didacus that wouldn't end up inadvertantly being a bad euphemism.

[Pig of Intrigue]

HEADLINE

"Crowds at 'Penis Dialogues' Shrink when Criticism Erupts Over Play"

hoo hoo