The same week as the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., a former Congresswoman and advocate of abortion rights will help train women to run for public office at the University of Scranton, a Jesuit University in Pennsylvania.
The keynote lecturer for The Ready to Run Campaign Training for Women program on January 28,2012, will be Marjorie Margolies, who served in Congress from 1993 to 1995 and later, acted as director of a PAC committed to electing pro-abortion rights women.
Her efforts against the “Hyde Amendment” limits on federal funding of abortion were chronicled in a book Climbing the Hill: Gender Conflict in Congress:
Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mevinsky said that if the Year of the Woman showed how far women had come, the day of the Hyde Amendment vote showed how much further women had to go.
Margolies was also quoted as describing the debate around the Hyde Amendment: “It was a horrible, embarrassing moment in the history of this body and I hope one that will never be repeated again.”
She was a co-sponsor of the Abortion Clinic Access Bill, which sought to make it a federal crime to impede access to abortion clinics She also voted in support of an Abortion Counseling Bill which would have required federal recipients of funds for family planning to provide patients information about obtaining an abortion.
After her short career in Congress, Margolies went on to act as Executive Director of the Women’s Campaign Fund, a PAC, which is “dedicated to dramatically increasing the number of women in elected office who support reproductive choice and options.”
The Ready to Run program is co-sponsored by the University of Scranton and the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Rutgers University. CAWP’s “2012 Project” seeks to recruit women to run for state and federal office in 2012 elections, in partnership with organizations including a number of pro-abortion groups: EMILY’s List, National Women’s Political Caucus, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Republican Majority for Choice, and the Women’s Campaign Fund.
The University of Scranton released this statement to the Cardinal Newman Society:
The University of Scranton is part of a national network of institutions offering the Ready to Run program. It is a nonpartisan project to encourage women to run for office by demystifying the political process. Speakers for the event provide information and perspectives regarding the challenges and expectations of running for office.
But we must ask why they would choose a former politician who worked so hard for abortion rights and ran a PAC committed to supporting abortion rights to keynote “a program for women who want to run for office, seek higher office, work on a campaign, get appointed to office, or learn more about the political system,” according the the University’s website? Why co-sponsor such an event with an outfit that is comprised by pro-abortion partnerships?
Adam Wilson
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Charlotte Hays
34 Comments
WHY, WHY, WHY, is it always the Jesuit universities????? We all need to pray harder for their conversion back to the Catholic faith.
Amen! PRAY HARD…for God said, “It is better for a millstone to be tied around one’s neck and thrown into the sea than to lead one of His little ones astray!”
This type of action is rampant in Jesuit institutions. We should pray to St. Ignatius and the first Jesuits for intersession.
The head of the Jesuit order is worthless. Since the Church is sinking everywhere, apparently not fast enof for that order. But they are so smart, aren’t they! Can anyone name a Jesuit school that’s still Catholic?
mac
The media has you persuaded that the Church is sinking everywhere. We are 1.1 billion. We got that way as an assembly with voluntary membership, whose message is spread by word of mouth. The Church in the WEST is declining because they have killed or chose not to have progeny. But Africa – now it is rising! The African Church grew 181% when presided over by John Paul II. Their communities are orthodox. They scorn the population control pressures put on them by first world governments. They know that people are dying who believed condoms afforded them safe sex. They know that women on progesterone containing birth control, are acquiring HIV at a faster rate. They know that abortion and estrogen containing birth control are the cause of the increase in breast cancer
Would it be possible for the Cardinal Newman Society to ask the University of Scranton how they plan to modify this event to fit in with solid orthodox Catholic teaching. I looked at their list of Women’s PAC and Donor Network and it appears the words “pro-choice” and “progressive” appear more often then the words “pro-life” or conservative. Perhaps the President and the Chair of the Board of Trustees should be notified. If they do not plan to modify the event toward the sacred and holy, then maybe CNS can stand at the entrance of the event and hand out flyers exposing the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) as actively working against the Church.
It does not make sense for a Catholic institution to designate a pro-abortion person to instruct in any part of its programs.
Unless it is to show what should not be practiced by a christian. Sincerely in Christ, Owen N. Martinez-Sandin
Shame on you – shame on the university and mostly shame on you for promoting the killing of babies – do you NOT understand anything that Jesus preached???? You are a disgrace and I will pray for you – hope that university goes down the tubes -
Susie,
Before you condemn the entire university and “hope that university goes down the tubes”, consider this: there are numerous committed, orthodox faculty members and employees at the university who are DAILY fighting the good fight (for Life, for an authentic Catholic identity for the school, etc.). And these same Catholics have families to support. So shame on you for flying off the handle and wishing that the university goes down the tubes. Instead, do something helpful and pray. That is what is needed.
I am alumnus of Scranton from the early 90s. CNS should contact Bishop Bambera’s office to notify them about this. Scranton is one of the most Catholic and pro-life areas in the US and the people won’t stand for this. I remember attending a movie back then and when an actor emitted a pro-choice line duirng the movie, the audience actually booed! So, this is a disrespect to the good people of Scranton.
Just stop donations to Scranton
As an alumni of Scranton I am saddened but not surprised. Their fall fundraising effort was beautifully made and lacked only one thing, a mention of Christ. It is hard to be a Catholic Univeristy if you never remember to mention Him.
So disappointed in our Catholic congregation not standing up against the Jesuits all these years.
They have been teaching against our church for a long time without sanctions by Rome. Why hasn’t the Pope or Bishops stopped them.
This has been going on for a long time.
As one who lived in Scranton, I am all too familiar with the unCatholic stance of the UofS. There is a Jewish professor in the (Catholic) theology department, who teaches some pretty heterodox things. Rabbi Eugene Korn was invited by the Theology Dept. to the University in a public lecture specifically to protest the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” He made some pretty ugly and false accusations against the history of Catholicism. This is more of the same. A tiger doesn’t change its stripes.
Has Scranton turned into a liberal anti-Catholic city??The citizens should be rebelling,Could you supply the names and numbers so we can get in touch with the right people to voice our dismay and objection.
Shame on you, our Lord told us not to harm any child what will He say to you about killing them.
How blind are those who don’t want to see. Mistakes can be made but the first duty of those who make them is to correct the mistake. I hope that the University of Scranton has both the wisdom and plain guts to do so.
Do you not know..or care..that his woman is the mother-in-la of Chelsea Clinton?
Do you have a petition that we can sign and send to them? As always my Rosaries are for the return of the lost to the Catholic faith.
Thank you for your dedication.
How have our Jesuit universities, and a few others as well, arrived at the place where our Catholic beliefs are mocked? How have these places of learning believe so strongly in the slaughter of our most unique citizens, the unborn. Where are the still-Catholic Jesuits?
to the person who is condemming the Jesuit organization hoping it will go down the tube. We need to pray pray pray and by our prayers convert the congresswoman back to be pro life and the organization be one we are proud. We also have a choice here. Let it be one of love and forgiveness.and understanding. The devil is very devious.When you have a thought about this and become angry or frustrated make the sign of the cross and pray ” Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee” It will help you and her.God bless you.
Thank you for your prayerful perspective. Nevertheless, efforts to undermine our Church and demean the Holy Father should not be met timidly or with silence. We are in a battle. Yes, we should ask our Mother for her intercession, but we should also support those who are willing to enter the battle for souls.
I have a graduate degree from the University of Scranton. Alumni publications and their advertisements tout the University’s record of service. The presence of this woman on campus is a great DISservice, to the local Church and the Church in general. The University proclaims itself a Jesuit University. Does that mean it’s not Catholic?
As a graduate of the University of Scranton I’m appalled at their pro-choice mindset. The former vice-president, the late Rev. Rock must be spinning in his grave. The moderm Jesuits are betraying the Catholic faith. It must be stopped.
I am appalled that Scranton University a Catholic institution is now allowing someone who is so Pro-choice to help train in a program in this program or any program that is affiliated with Scranton University. Where is their faith? I was until now so proud our daughter in the late 90′s graduated from Scranton University. This hurts a lot to hear another Catholic institution is selling it’s soul for what? $, popularity in the secular world of liberalism etc.? They will be held responsible for the souls of all young women to help and promote the pro-choice agenda to kill the unborn and be affiliated with pro-choice groups! Scranton’s released statement above is extremely shameful.
“The University of Scranton is part of a national network of institutions offering the Ready to Run program. It is a nonpartisan project to encourage women to run for office by demystifying the political process. Speakers for the event provide information and perspectives regarding the challenges and expectations of running for office.”
I will pray those who are promoting this agenda at the University. My prayer through the intercession of the Sorrowful & Immaculate heart of Mary to Jesus for them, may the “Holy Spirit flood the hearts of all involved to accept and live the God’s Holy Truth.” I am so proud to be Catholic & Scranton Univ. should be & live it as well.
any institution, organization or individual claiming to be catholic should abide by the catechism of the catholic church.
no exceptions.
the dictates of modern culture
have nothing to do with it.
..and everything to do with the demise of the catholic church.
It seems to me that the best way to fight this is to sponsor the participation of female leaders in the Pro-Life movement to attend incognito…… Just saying…. they will be in Washington DC, many of them, and CNS has time to perhaps work with other Catholic orgs to find out the number of participants, sessions…
“Scranton is one of the most Catholic and pro-life areas in the US and the people won’t stand for this.” Ha! They overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama and I wouldn’t be surprised that they re-elect Sen. Casey.
I would not object to Ms. Marjorie Margolies-Mevinsky appearing at the University if it would include a discussion between her, and for instance, the founder of Rachel’s Vineyard, Dr. Theresa Burke on the subject of the
unacknowledged effects of abortion on many women.
Her son is married to Chelse Clinton, Bill and Hillary ‘s daughter. Did you expect better.?
Please have high standards in the people you choose to speak. I heard Dr. Theresa Burke and she would be a much better help than Ms. Marjorie.
Sad to say, “Jesuit” has come to mean “NOT CATHOLIC.” Most orthodox catholics families know enough to NOT send their sons and daughters to Jesuit schools. These scandals may only be a small portion of what their schools offer… but Bishop Bruskewitz always reminds us that rat killing products are made of good food which contains only a little deadly poison. The Jesuits cannot justify ANY spiritual or moral poison in their programs, or what they promote or allow on campus. They have foolishly forgotten that a day of judgement is coming. Let us keep all such apostates from the true Faith in our prayers, especially those who scandalize youth; they are in grave danger.
Why are the Jesuits leading the faithful away from God? This is shameful for a known pro-abort to be given a voice at a ‘formerly Catholic’great school.
According to a response by the university regarding this lady’s being invited to speak at thes event, they are saying their intent is for her to relate her expertise on how women can enter into & be effective in political life (my wording,not theres) and not for her por-abortion rights. So maybe the university could use this event to encourage women to follow this lady’s advice, get into politics but promote a pro-humanity agenda. Encourage strong Catholic women to enter into politics and change it for the betterment of society.
2 Trackbacks
[...] d’enseignement supérieur soient fidèles à l’enseignement de l’Église, a dénoncé, le 6 janvier, une nouvelle et grave entorse à l’orthodoxie d’une université jésuite – encore une ! Les [...]
[...] Bambera issued an important statement today. Following The Cardinal Newman Society’s report that Jesuit University of Scranton’s intended lecturer for an event has been very active [...]