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ADVOCATE.COM
Bishop Objects to Gay
Marriage Class
By Julie Bolcer from
the Web, May 3, 2010
Seton Hall University in New Jersey
is reconsidering whether to allow a public policy course on same-sex marriage
after objections from Newark Archbishop John J. Myers.
The governing board of Seton Hall University, the largest Catholic college in
New Jersey, is reconsidering whether to allow a course on same-sex marriage this
fall after Newark Archbishop John J. Myers said the class conflicts with
Catholic teaching.
According to The Star-Ledger, Myers objected to the course for
upperclassmen in a statement. Although he does not have the authority to
cancel a class, he serves as chairman of the school’s board of trustees and
leads the board of regents, which oversees academic issues.
"This proposed course seeks to promote as legitimate a train of thought that is
contrary to what the Church teaches. As a result, the course is not in
synch with Catholic teaching," said Myers in the statement reported by The
Star-Ledger. "Consequently, the board of trustees of Seton Hall have asked
the board of regents to investigate the matter of this proposed course and to
take whatever action is required under the law to protect the Catholicity of
this university."
Larry Robinson, the vice provost, said the political science department and the
dean approved the course because it was an objective examination of a public
policy issue, not an advocacy course.
The course will be taught be W. King Mott, an openly gay, tenured associate
professor of political science. In 2005, Mott was demoted from a position
as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences after The Star-Ledger
published his letter saying the church scapegoats gay men for the priest sex
abuse scandal.
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