(Fr.) Roger Landry hits the nail on the head in his letter to Harvard University’s president:
It’s not enough for Harvard to put out a press release saying that Harvard doesn’t “endorse the views or activities of any independent student organization.” Harvard simply would never allow itself or its properties to be associated with events that mock the religious beliefs, desecrate the sacred texts, or insult the spiritual sensitivities of Jews or Muslims.
Likewise it wouldn’t allow its reputation or institution to be affiliated in any way with the activities or views of an “independent student organization” that was reenacting the lynchings of African Americans or homophobic attacks or violence against women. Harvard would act decisively in those situations, both out of just concern for its own reputation but also out of moral outrage against such insensitivity that clear thinking, ethical people immediately recognize as evil.
That the question that Harvard has to answer, but in one sense the question concerning “burning a Koran” at Harvard is silly. The thought of doing such a thing would not occur to these “Satanists” as the islamic response would look nothing like this:
“In a recent statement, Pope Francis warned of the danger of being naïve about or underestimating the power of Satan, whose evil is too often tragically present in our midst. We call upon all believers and people of good will to join us in prayer for those who are involved in this event, that they may come to appreciate the gravity of their actions, and in asking Harvard to disassociate itself from this activity.”
The archdiocese plans to hold a holy hour at 8 p.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Church, located near the campus.
As Father Michael Drea Senior Chaplin of the Harvard Catholic Chaplaincy put it
While the Satanists are “historically re-enacting” the devil at Queen’s Head Pub, Father Drea said the Harvard Catholic community will respond to evil with good by hosting a Eucharistic Holy Hour at St. Paul’s Church from 8pm to 9pm “to focus on the gift of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.”
“We take strength from [the Eucharist] to be the life of Christ in the world, to bring his message of life and love into the world and to be effective ambassadors of the New Evangelization,” he said. “We want to help people understand the beauty and centrality of our Eucharistic theology and how we are nourished by this great gift of Our Lord’s body, blood, soul and divinity.”
These are important points but they are directed at Harvard by those in the faith trying to defend it, and them from a danger they don’t acknowledge.
Now that the MSM is covering the story they obviously have a secular take to their questions to those concerned, let me suggest a few:
1. If this “Cultural Studies event”as it has been widely reported is about “culture” why are they hosting a group that claims to not have the cultural belief in what they are doing?
I would think that the answer the Harvard “Cultural Studies” group gives would be rather newsworthy.
2. When the story of this event was being reported in blogs the spokespeople for the Satanic Temple had no problem stating they were using a Consecrated Host even confirming it in writing , once the story broke into mainstream media non-blog outlets those confirmation were called “miscommunication” . How does the Satanic Temple and Harvard reconcile this change?
I would further ask do they have possession of a consecrated host? If so, how was it obtained and as they claim to respect all religions will it be returned?
Of course I don’t see how you reconcile “respecting all religions” and performing a Black mass.
3. As Harvard has plenty of Alumni who are Catholic and more than a few donors as well. Given that the Black mass is a direct parody or insult to the Catholic Mass by design what kind of public objection or statement will they make? Are you concerned that you will see more reactions like this?
“Harvard is under the same God as the rest of America, and religious freedom depends upon a shared reverence for Him while tolerating different religious beliefs. Given Harvard’s heritage as a divinity school, it ought to be well aware that this event will darken its name in the minds of Christians—and particularly Catholics—for generations to come.
I think donors or alums who profess Christianity might have an issue giving to and associating with a university that is unwilling to even object to the Black mass.
4. What do you insert name of Catholic pol as a Catholic pol think of Harvard’s black mass & their response?
There are plenty of pols running for office in 2014, many who have associations with Harvard. Furthermore there are plenty of Catholic pols out there including Democrat minority leader & the speaker of the house. What is going to happen when Harvard refusal to stop or even condemn this affront to their religion. Who is going to be the person on the floor of the House or Senate defending the Black mass at Harvard as free speech that should be protected as opposed to offence to Catholics worldwide. Will the same pols who critiqued the burning of the Koran by a southern pastor be as loud to defend Catholic sensibilities?
Oh and one more thing this line from Garret Quinn that this was first reported by Boston Magazine correct but as the Anchoress puts it:
Do any of them give a nod to the blogs? No. But that’s okay. What’s important is getting the story seen, and hopefully some opportunity for the Diocese to teach the faith!
Still I think her efforts deserve acknowledgement
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