Priest accused of causing "mental conflict" by preaching Catholic doctrine; gay...

[Michie]

#1

...university students seek ouster from campus

Students try to banish Catholic chaplain from campus for anti-gay stance

Two gay seniors at George Washington University say they feel alienated because the chaplain at George Washington’s Newman Center rejects homosexuality, and they aren’t going to take it anymore.

The seniors, Damian Legacy and Blake Bergen, have announced a coordinated campaign to rid the campus of the Roman Catholic priest, reports The GW Hatchet, the school’s independent student newspaper.

They also assert that 12 or more students have quit the Newman Center in recent years because they can’t tolerate Father Greg Shaffer’s ardent anti-gay �“ and, for the record, anti-abortion — beliefs.

Priest accused of causing "mental conflict" by preaching Catholic doctrine; gay university students seek ouster from campus...

 

[Michie]

To the students:

Your sexual preference does not make you a victim. You will go through life disagreeing with people. Alienation is something we all feel from time to time. You are turning yourself into a joke. Check out some other religion's views on gays & how to deal with them and thank your lucky stars that you are actually spoiled & intolerant enough to have the opportunity to try to remove a priest from doing his job.

Twerps.

It's not all about you.

 

[Genersis]

Some priests just say stupid things.

It makes me wonder how nasty the guy gets for them to take such action.

 

[Michie]

Celibacy.

 

[Genersis]

Celibacy.

That's not just it.

Students mobilize to remove priest - The GW Hatchet

Sounds like one he could be one of those judging threatening and name calling(with biblical backing, so it's all ok, right?) types to me.
But meh, considering these are the only two articles I've found on the subject, perhaps my current position is unfounded.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

At least a dozen students, including seniors Damian Legacy and Blake Bergen, say they have left the Newman Center in the last several years because Father Greg Shaffer’s strong anti-gay and anti-abortion views are too polarizing

Gee that's too bad, but the priest shouldn't be forced to teach against what the Church teaches.

So much for freedom of speech among these gay people.



Jim

 

[Michie]

I read the student newspaper Generis. Seriously?

What did these kids expect? A university where everyone agrees & is liberal? A priest that does not teach what the faith believes? Again, they need to grow a pair & get off their poor me pedestals.

 

[LoAmmi]

Gee that's too bad, but the priest shouldn't be forced to teach against what the Church teaches.

So much for freedom of speech among these gay people.

Freedom of speech is the protection that the government cannot abridge your speech. You are able to be fired for your speech from a private company and other people can tell you to be quiet. Neither of these things are a violation in general.

I find myself torn on the issue. I think the students should understand that people, especially people like priests, are going to speak in line with their faith. It would be wrong of them not to. They shouldn't expect the guy to do otherwise. So I really disagree with their motives here.

However, I also have a hard time saying that people shouldn't be able to get together to voice their displeasure at something no matter how idiotic that something is. I guess I'm saying I can't fault them for wanting to get together to right what they see as a wrong, but I do think what they see as a wrong is just stupid.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Freedom of speech is the protection that the government cannot abridge your speech. You are able to be fired for your speech from a private company and other people can tell you to be quiet. Neither of these things are a violation in general.

I find myself torn on the issue. I think the students should understand that people, especially people like priests, are going to speak in line with their faith. It would be wrong of them not to. They shouldn't expect the guy to do otherwise. So I really disagree with their motives here.

However, I also have a hard time saying that people shouldn't be able to get together to voice their displeasure at something no matter how idiotic that something is. I guess I'm saying I can't fault them for wanting to get together to right what they see as a wrong, but I do think what they see as a wrong is just stupid.

These are students, and being such, they're there to learn, not preach to college staff on what should be taught and what shouldn't be taught.

They are also disrespectful of Catholic beliefs. If Catholics were to protest against gays, they'd probably be kicked out of the school.

Jim

 

[Michie]

Universities are there to teach, learn, grow & be challenged. If they don't care for that maybe they should rethink their options. They could go to a secular school & stay comfy.

 

[Adaephon]

I don't think the priest should be fired, or did anything wrong, per se. But it does sound like he handled this Legacy boy's crisis badly. I mean, when you find out one of your most devout students, who is 18, 19 or 20 or so, is homosexual, calling him wicked, faithless, and intrinsically disordered is a pretty damaging thing to do to a confused youth.

 

[LoAmmi]

These are students, and being such, they're there to learn, not preach to college staff on what should be taught and what shouldn't be taught.

They are also disrespectful of Catholic beliefs. If Catholics were to protest against gays, they'd probably be kicked out of the school.

Universities are there to teach, learn, grow & be challenged. If they don't care for that maybe they should rethink their options. They could go to a secular school & stay comfy.

That seems very dismissive of college students, to be honest. It is suggesting that if people have a grievance they should just leave and not try to find a remedy for it. But as I said, I wouldn't take away anybody's right to get together to voice their concern about something. If Catholics want to protest against gays why should they be stopped?

Now, be mocked by others? Yeah, that would probably happen.

 

[Michie]

I don't think the priest should be fired, or did anything wrong, per se. But it does sound like he handled this Legacy boy's crisis badly. I mean, when you find out one of your most devout students, who is 18, 19 or 20 or so, is homosexual, calling him wicked, faithless, and intrinsically disordered is a pretty damaging thing to do to a confused youth.

LOL! If this priest was following Catholic teaching he isn't calling anyone these things. He is calling the 'act' these things. Lets not put words in his mouth. I'm sure these students are doing more than enough of it. And given technology these days...if he were truly getting all rabid about it as implied... I have no doubt it would had been recorded.

 

[Michie]

That seems very dismissive of college students, to be honest. It is suggesting that if people have a grievance they should just leave and not try to find a remedy for it. But as I said, I wouldn't take away anybody's right to get together to voice their concern about something. If Catholics want to protest against gays why should they be stopped?

Now, be mocked by others? Yeah, that would probably happen.

It's not dismissive. What I find extraordinarily self absorbed is expecting what the faith believes & teaches to be changed because it's confusing me. Really?

 

[LoAmmi]

It's not dismissive. What I find extraordinarily self absorbed is expecting what the faith believes & teaches to be changed because it's confusing me. Really?

Certainly it is. But it does seem dismissive to say that if they don't like it they need to just leave. Maybe what they need is a discussion about what is going on with them giving their side and the other side being given time to discuss it with them. There may be a misunderstanding somewhere in here. Or the way the guy speaks is being misunderstood. I like to hope that most people are reasonable.

 

[Adaephon]

LOL! If this priest was following Catholic teaching he isn't calling anyone these things.

Ok, well, according to the news article there might be some question about that, is the thing.

 

[Michie]

Ok, well, according to the news article there might be some question about that, is the thing.

I'm waiting for more info to come out. Student newspapers are known for their 'emo' content.

 

[KatherineS]

Universities are there to teach, learn, grow & be challenged. If they don't care for that maybe they should rethink their options. They could go to a secular school & stay comfy.

If you are going to offer advice like that Michie, could you name for me a school you consider MORE secular than George Washington University?

 

[Michie]

If you are going to offer advice like that Michie, could you name for me a school you consider MORE secular than George Washington University?

Maybe one that does not retain a priest or a Newman Center?

 

[TheOtherHockeyMom]

Maybe one that does not retain a priest or a Newman Center?

Big public state universities have Newman centers and priests...at least UNM did (with Masses on campus). Smaller public schools may have Newman clubs or houses.