Here in the archdiocese of Seattle, there is a lay group known as the Gospel of Life Institute that offers regular updates about needs and progress in the work of defending and promoting life locally. Their mailing today included notice that Seattle University is currently endorsing and directing students to Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women, the first of which provides the most abortions of any organization in the country and the second of which lobbies heavily in offense of life for abortion. Here is TFP Student Action’s alert:
SHOCKER: Catholic College Helps Planned Parenthood
Should Catholic universities aid Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups? The answer is obviously NO. However, Seattle University – a Catholic institution – offers students the option of interning for Planned Parenthood of Western Washington on its web site.
This shocking scandal must be opposed.
Sign the protest [I am not a fan of electronic communication in these cases. They give the impression of distance and dis-interested meddling. Prepare your thoughts and words and then write a letter or make a phone call]
Unfortunately it gets worse. The Women Studies department at Seattle University encourages students to “get involved” with pro-abortion groups.
The Women Studies web page states: “On the Seattle University Campus, in the Northwest, and across the Nation there are countless women’s organizations for you to get involved with. Here are some links to help you get started.”
Immediately after this “get involved” offer, students find pro-abortion groups such as the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and Legal Momentum.
See http://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/women/Default.aspx?id=1574
Please help TFP Student Action counter the culture of death at Seattle University by alerting your pro-life friends about this issue. Spread the word by email, facebook, blogs and other social media.
To voice your concern politely yet firmly ['politely yet firmly' means embracing Christian charity as Jesus spells out. Father Sundborg, the faculty and the staff need to hear our support of our shared Catholic identity, not uncharitable assumptions about them or their work], please contact:
Fr. Stephen V. Sundborg, SJ
Seattle University, President
901 12th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
Phone: 206-296-1891
E-mail: SUNDBORG@seattleu.edu
This is a concern to all of our archdiocese, whether you are a student, clergy, religious or layperson. We need Catholic educational institutions that are firmly rooted in Catholic teaching and practice. Please take some time to compose a kind letter encouraging Seattle University to be help fill this need.
your brother in Christ,
Father Maurer
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Thanks and done.
Blessings,
Ed and Lisa
I thought I’d post my response in case it might help someone else who may not know what to say.
Dear Father Sundborg,
We have multiple college age children and finding out about Seattle University’s stance on pro-abortion issues takes your institution off our list of choices.
We need Catholic educational institutions that are firmly rooted in Catholic teaching and practice, and the stance advertised on your website is decidedly against Ronam Catholic teaching in faith and morals.
Please reconsider Seattle U’s stance on this important issue.
In Christ,
I sent your blog link all over heck and back so hopefully there will be a big response to the U. We need excellent, faithful universities to educate the New Springtime of young adults!!
Blessings,
Lisa
We sure do need them! Seattle University has the proud legacy of the Jesuits to draw on (think ‘the Mission‘!), if only we can help support them in firm conviction of faith. Imagine the caliber of well-trained and knowledgeable folks who could serve throughout the archdiocese! What a gift that would be!
I met one of the newest chancery staff recently: Shawn Madden. He is the archbishop’s delegate in the Office for Youth & Young Adult Ministry (OYYAM). He’s new here in the northwest, trained at Benedictine College and absolutely on fire to help set straight the wayward trails of youth ministry in the archdiocese.
Imagine if we had a hundred of such people spread throughout the region, if we had tens of them graduating from Seattle University (at the heart of the archdiocese, no less) each year. Our parishes would be on fire, our people would be energized in a whole new way!
Brick by brick, though. Gotta keep plugging on!
Thank you, Fr. Maurer, for bringing these situations to us. With a big family I don’t have a lot of time to keep abreast of some important issues, but you make it easy for me to be more knowledgeable and pro-active. As I have several kids coming into the college environment, this will interest them and help them be choosy. With you bringing it to the forefront, it’s more than just Conservative Mom giving them advice.
Thank you for your efforts and that we can trust you to bring us Truth.
Thank you for posting this Fr. Maurer. This is just really sad and I have already written a letter to Fr. Sundborg. I agree that we need to approach this from a position of support and charity rather than accusation and condemnation.
We do need a good, faithful Catholic university in this area exactly for the reasons you outlined in your comment. We definitely don’t want all of our on-fire people leaving the area for a solid Catholic education (and maybe never to return!) Thanks again for getting this out there!
Thanks Kerry! In all charity, I think we can safely assume the best about Father Sundborg. For all we know, he’s even not aware of the issue. And even as president of a university, there are doubtlessly a plethora of politics that make tackling issues difficult and discouraging. It is enormously helpful to receive support from people who recognize that and affirm that they are behind you as you prepare for the tough work ahead. It is my hope that this is the approach people take as they reach out to him & the university.
Please keep our Catholic schools in direct line with Christ and Catholic doctrine. Thanks