Photo: Times Leader FilesI've been waiting for Bishop Bambera's first critical flaw to be broadcasted in local media. All recent articles from the Times Leader and Citizens Voice have been almost nothing but decorum.
The University of Scranton's Inclusion Initiative hopes to provide for "a more inclusive environment and a better understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity. A safe place and a voice will be provided for these students in our community...", but the new bishop seems opposed to this because he is concerned with a speaker who is coming to the University of Scranton.
Bishop Bambera cited his obligation to ensure that authentic Catholic teaching is being provided in all Catholic institutions in the Diocese, and that viewpoints in opposition to this teaching are not being presented as acceptable alternatives.
Apparently, according to Bambera, if you have a viewpoint that is in opposition to "authentic Catholic teaching," your view should not be presented as "an acceptable alternative." Diversity, free speech, intellectual discussions, and debates are now out the window. Thanks, Bishop Bambera.
Ms. Bendoraitis [the speaker] obviously supports positions that are contrary to the teaching of the Catholic Church. For this reason, Bishop Bambera has expressed concern to Father Pilarz about the University hosting this speaker.
The new bishop is already poisoning education, threatening free speech, not allowing for proper critical inquiry of important issues, and is possibly pressuring local schools of higher learning.
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In 2009, the previous local bishop asked a local university to discontinue its diversity initiative and threatened to strip the Catholic identity from the school when a gay rights speaker was invited to speak about religion and homosexuality.
A statement from the Diocese issued the day before the talks noted that “Mr. Boykin has authored three books and all three have been nominated for a Lambda Literary award. Lambda is a legal advocacy effort for homosexual causes. Mr. Boykin is an avid supporter of same sex marriage and is an activist for positions disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching.
“Bishop Martino wants Catholics of the Diocese of Scranton to know of his absolute disapproval of Misericordia University’s hosting Mr. Boykin. By honoring this speaker through allowing his positions, so antithetical to Catholic Church teaching, to be broadcast on its campus, the University has rejected all four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning. These are: its Christian inspiration, its obligation to reflect on knowledge in light of the Catholic faith, its fidelity to Catholic Church teaching and its commitment to serve the people of God.
Bishops should allow universities to present opposing views, encourage open discussion, and stop interfering with the education of students.
I also find a tremendous amount of humor in the fact that a conservative Catholic blogger, TheRockinTraddy, is also very critical of Bambera because he thinks Bambera should be like Martino...and I'm saying that Martino did a tremendous amount of damage to the Church's reputation. It's a strike from the atheists and the conservative Catholics :)
Three cheers for Bishop Bambera...you're already making yourself and the Catholic Church look bad! Recent comments on the article even reflect this:
Here we go folks -- the honeymoon is over for the hometown boy.These arguments are old and the reason the church is losing members.Atta boy, Bambera. Stop visiting soup kitchens and start censoring those you disagree with. That's the Catlick spirit! Next week maybe you can start begging for more donations to help offset the church's legal defense expenses.Catholic leaders do not want people - even adults - educated; they want them indoctrinated!