Villanova University, a Roman Catholic Augustinian University outside Philadelphia, has invited a militant gay rights performance artist to be an artist in residence this April and lead workshops for students, according to an email shared with The Cardinal Newman Society. Villanova’s website confirms it.
But the term “militant gay rights activist” doesn’t really begin to explain Tim Miller, the performance artist. Miller, according to Facebook, sued the National Endowment for the Arts for pulling a grant due to his obscene “art,” he’s been arrested dozens of times, is a very public advocate of gay marriage and abortion rights, and is a member of the anti-Catholic group ACT UP which once sent protesters to interrupt Sunday mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York and desecrated the Eucharist, according to The New York Times.
Far from renouncing his membership in ACT UP after that 1989 incident, Miller remains a member of ACT UP, according to Facebook, and even called the group’s confrontational tactics, “the single most influential thing in my life.“
Tim Miller, whose main claim to fame is having an NEA grant pulled because of his controversial “art,” was reportedly once carried kicking and screaming from a meeting where he confronted NEA Chairman John Frohnmayer.
Miller’s “art” has reportedly included simulating intercourse and lewly exposing his naked body. (WARNING: Using sometimes explicit language, Miller’s performances are described in more detail by the LA Times and Time Out Magazine.)
Has has criticized the “hideous religious baggage” that Americans have and said laws defending traditional marriage are “right out of the Third Reich.”
As for the nudity in his performance, Miller defended himself in the Seattle Times saying:
Someone could say about my show, `Why don’t you just clean it up and keep your pants on?’ But it’s very organic what I do, and I feel it’s important right now. I think the cultural battle in this culture is about the body – whether it’s abortion rights, or gays in the military, or art. It’s about some people’s desire to control our bodies, and their panic when they can’t.
Villanova University’s Heidi Rose, Associate Professor of Communications, sent out an email blast inviting students, saying:
The performance workshop will thus take you through an intimate process of self-discovery and exploration, focusing on identity and culture, questions of diversity and difference, knowledge of self and others, etc. Throughout the week, each participant will develop and refine her/his own original, solo piece that will be performed on Friday, April 20.
One of the highlights of this workshop is the opportunity to learn from, and create an ensemble with, a range of people in the Villanova community. We encourage undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff from any and all departments and programs to participate.
Villanova University did not respond to inquiries. If they contact The Cardinal Newman Society we’ll be sure to update the story.
Update (2/21/12): Villanova canceled the invitation to Tim Miller.
Adam Wilson
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Charlotte Hays
56 Comments
The pope has recently expressed his fear that the true Catholic Church will become very much smaller in the future. Villanova University has obviously decided not to become part of that, but to march on down the secular road.
“The people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.” MARK 7: 1-3
Your right on target. These CINO (Catholic in name only) schools maybe fear loss of federal support, loss of high SAT students to secular schools, government sanctions, ridicule by main stream media, facsist tactics of left wing pro-abortion, pro-gay lifestyle, pro-gay marriage etc to juustify their cowardice. Are they CATHOLIC schools or NOT–that is the question. I pray graduating seniors from high school and their parents are taking into account any CATHOLIC college and how well it is in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church and Ex Corde Ecclessia in choosing it as THEIR Catholic College.
Villanova has just proven they are Not a Catholic University.
The virus of spitting in the face of the teachings of Catholicism as expressed in Ex Corde Eclessia has now spread from the “shock troop” Jesuits to the non jesuiit schools. I’m sure some Jesuit college will invite this “artist” to their school so that he is able to expound on his profound belief system as compared to those expressed in Ex Corde. Way to go Villanova–you should be proud of yourselves. Why don’t you show REAL guts by removing the word Catholic from your institutionnal description. You might be sued for false advertising if you keep calling yourselve Catholic.
Can’t we just vote them “off the island”?
How about Villanova students fill up all available workshop slots with kids who want to develop “pieces” celebrating chastity or decrying abortion?
They are making the devil happy–remember on this on Judgment Day folks.
Dear Villanova……how Ive supported you and been true to the ‘blue & white’…..if this speaker’s scheduled appearance is what you have become – you have indeed betrayed your mission, your pasts and the ghosts of all alumni…..I am disgusted that you would allow this…..’better you should have a mill-stone hung about your neck / (that of the person(s) responsible…..) and be cast into the sea’……what a sad day indeed…..I thought youwere above what Notre Dame has become and now find you are as bad…..may God forgive your scandal….JK
This is just more evidence of the decline of VIllanova since Father Peter Donohue was elected as President. He actually fought the building of a statue dedicated to the unborn. He has invited numerous pro-abortion speakers to the graduation ceremonies, and even had Michelle Obama on campus.
As a Villanova grad, I am not only sickened by this display of anti-Catholic activity but mortified by the scandal he brings to the Church.
Sad to say, in his day as a mere professor at the school, Father was well-loved and enjoyed by the students. HIs homilies were inspiring and his presence among the students was a welcome part of the Villanova experience.
Seems the devil has had his way though..
Anne, I am also a Villanova grad with a daughter attending there now. I will be writing to Father Donohue regarding this and I hope you will also. When I receive solicitations for donations I will refuse based on this and other actions I deem go against the Catholic church. I hope you and other grads will do the same.
Amy
Anne, I hope you called (or will call) the school and the President’s office and let them know of your views. You are a voice as an alum that will have weight to them.
Have indeed – but as with every other time I have voiced my concerns, Father Donohue does not even have the decency to reply. His policy is simply to ignore all concerns that are not his own…
This is worthy of excommunication. Administrators like this are laughing at Catholics. I acted rebellious like this in eighth grade and still ask forgiveness. This must be why they moved the pro-life group next door to the sexual-orientation club ! My children would go to a real university or not get a dime !
ACT UP and its membership are an affront to Christian morality. Where does the money come from to support this trash; from student tuition. And we know who is paying that, right? Parents are helpless to protest the garbage that this guy is peddling.
Where is the board of trustees?
Penn State is rightly excoriated for what happened on its campus. Yet Villanova is perpetrating the same type of immorality. Where do molesters come from if not a society that considers this garbage as part of the performing arts.
This comes at a time when our government is
attacking the Catholic church . Hopefully there
will be a demonstration of Catholic students
and not those in name only.
THis is pure heresy . The Ausustinians of
1950(as they rest in peace) surely are indisbelief as are the graduates of that year.
Villanova has a history of great sports success in basketball. Will this all be thrown to the “wolves” with the acclimation of Father Donohue?
Doesn’t this say it all?
http://www.thenovablog.com/2011/8/24/2382546/video-villanova-flash-mob
…Not sure what point you’re trying to prove.
It’s time for the alumni of these Catholic schools to withhold donations until the schools go back to Catholic orthodoxy. I will donate my money to a different Catholic charity that pursues a Catholic mission.
Aren’t love and tolerance Catholic teachings? Or have I been wrong in trying to understand Jesus?
What departure from the Villanova U. I graduated from in 1955. Then Villanova President Fr. Klekokta would not have approved hosting radical gay activist for sure. Reading the biography current Villanova President Rev. Peter Donahue and his mission statement “As president, Father Donohue has worked … to renew its commitment to the institution’s Catholic, Augustinian, and educational mission”. The “… Catholic, Augustinian …” descriptors should be removed as Fr. Donahue is clearly not doing that. Shame on Fr. Donahue. Shame on Villanova U. to have him as President.
Tulvio Durand
Villanova graduate, 1955.
Villanova University’s Heidi Rose, Associate Professor of Communications,should be fired. How did this secular, radical individual get hired by a Catholic University…The more Catholics try to accommodate, the more we are losing our way from the teachings of our true God..
The more Catholics keep to themselves the less they are “Catholic.” Catholic means “Universal.” I am Catholic and I see no problem with this man coming to teach performance arts, NOT to rally against Catholicism, NOT to promote hatred against Catholics. It sickens me to see my brothers and sisters show so much hate. Love thy enemy, bless those that curse you.
Heidi Rose is a brilliant professor and one of the kindest souls you could ever meet. Judge not lest ye be judged.
Upon seeing this, I called Villanova. As a parent with a high school student who had Villanova on her potential college list, I wanted to let them know this is something that takes them off her list. Neither the Admissions office nor the Student Life office had any knowledge or awareness of this person coming to campus or who he was. I’d urge others, like me who have college bound children, to call the school and let them know this is a problem for the school. Someone there made this decision, and that person’s judgment is in question. My question is who else at the University is aware of this person coming to the school, and does the leadership of the school support it (or are they unaware). Next call should be to the President of the school!
As a Villanova graduate, class of 1959. I am ashamed. It is no longer the Catholic university I attended and graduated from. I would not recommend Villanova to anyone, especially Catholics!
Pull funds. Do away with calling it a Catholic U.
Separate from anti-Catholic Universities and call it quits if the Board refuses to take action and Father refuses to step down,and to apologize to alumni and the Catholic community.
Stop pandering to the non-Catholic so called Catholic Universities.
Bad parents complain and repeatedly threaten.Is that what is happening among the Catholic hierarchy?
He is no longer coming to the university.
False. The workshop is still planned despite all the hatred that is being displayed. I for one applaud Fr. Peter for being truly Catholic and teaching love and tolerance as Jesus intended.
I just called Father Donohue’s office. They have been getting many calls and are aware of the reaction online. I let them know I love my church and I love Nova, and how offensive this man is to both.
The Hawk will never die!
Dear Friends,
I am a professor at Villanova; I am reading your posts and I, too, care deeply about the tenets of our faith and about our university, our students, our faith, and our way of life.
Then let the students have a voice. Let’s hear what they have to say. Don’t keep this under wraps.
Dear VU friends,
At Villanova there are various people and groups who disagree about politics, ethics, social policy, and so forth. Most of the groups are funded by the administration and have the same general ideas about things that they have. These ideas are liberal and progressive, for the most part.
There is one group that stands apart from the other groups at Villanova: It is the Matthew J. Ryan Center for the Study of Free Institutions and the Public Good. The Ryan Center stands for individual work, commitment, responsibility. The Ryan Center stands for LIBERTY FOR ALL, despite economic, political, or sociological background.
The Ryan Center works to defeat soft despotism and oppression by good-meaning-but-spirit-snuffing-bureaucrats.
CAS
Ms. Sheehan,
As a Catholic University Villanova should represent the interests of the Catholic faith and it’s teachings. Promoting diversity by inviting someone who is a member of an organization that disrespects Catholics and their faith is wrong.
As a Villanova alumni, I am happy he is coming to do a performance workshop. I don’t think Villanova is meant to be an enclave that shuts outs ideas and beliefs that challenge Catholic ones–on the contrary, I think being surrounded by a variety of beliefs can help a Catholic student reflect on, develop, and deepen his or her faith. On a practical level, being exposed to multiple perspectives gives a Catholic student practice in articulating his or her faith to others. In any case, students in this workshop could certainly use it to craft and perform pieces with Catholic messages–pieces with dedication for social justice and compassion for others at their heart (which I think expands far beyond the sometimes hostile rhetoric surrounding abortion, chastity, and gay rights).
As a Catholic, I was raised to believe that some of the core values manifested in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are love and mercy–and I think neither of these values is undermined by a performance workshop taught by someone who supports gay rights. Perhaps his views on subjects like abortion and gay marriage are not ones held by the Catholic Church; okay, but does that make him any less legitimate as a performance workshop instructor? Does being a gay rights activist, or an abortion rights one, for that matter, make one an inferior instructor or an inferior person? Are we to be hateful to him based on his dedication to fighting for his cause–a dedicate which I believe also arises from a love of justice, a compassion for human dignity?
In addition, I am disturbed by the vitriol of this article: it attacks Tim Miller ad hominem without providing real evidence as to why, precisely, he would be a poor choice for running a performance workshop. The article seems to run on the assumption that if he teaches this workshop, he will spend all his time trying to indoctrinate students with his own beliefs. I give Villanova students enough credit to think for themselves, whether they agree with him or not.
My objection arises from looking into the man and his performances. He is part of an organization that expresses hate, vitriol, and disrespect for the Catholic Church. His performances are laced with nudity, profanity, and the promotion of actions deemed sinful. Of course his purpose is indoctrination, it’s how he makes his living. As a Catholic institution Villanova has a responsibility to revere and promote the Catholic faith. This has nothing to do with gay rights which Villanova supports. It has to do with its identity as a Catholic University.
Charl – With your logic, perhaps Villanova should also host white supremacists and give them a forum for their message,and let the students “think for themselves” on that issue too. Hey, how about Islamic terrorists?
Father Donohue has an obligation to educate students in the Catholic faith, and to avoid scandal. He apparently has lost sight of his responsibilities as president. He has to answer for it one day… whether here on this earth or elsewhere. Let’s pray he makes the right decision before he faces his final judgment.
Charl – I am a Nova grad, as is my husband, my father, my uncle and my great grandfather was the VU football coach. I love Nova. That being said, you are incorrect that inviting him to do a workshop is not harmful to the mission of the Catholic faith. Nova inviting him gives him credibility. It is an honor to be an artist in residence.
All you people need to relax. Just because it is a Catholic University doesn’t mean it should shut other ideas and beliefs that occur in this world. Students need to form their own beliefs and should be presented with all forms of ideas and belief systems. Sounds like you guys think science professors shouldn’t teach evolution at Villanova or maybe tell students Dinosaurs didn’t exist. All of you need to calm down and worry a little more about your lives than that of the students at Villanova.
I guess you missed the part about his being disrespectful to the Catholic religion. Differing ideas can and should be presented, but as a Catholic University Villanova has a responsibility to the church. Also, as a parent paying tuition to Nova and an alumni donor I am financing Villanova, making it my duty to object.
Correct me if I am wrong but aren’t two of the main principles of the Catholic religion forgiveness and understanding. Well based on those principals I think it is perfectly understandable to host this artist. Just because he persecutes the Catholic Church doesn’t mean we should do the same. Sometimes it amazes me how so called “Catholics” can act so unchristian like when dealing with people who may have different beliefs and views.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Join my novena for a miracle for Father Donohue and Villanova.
http://anneclotierzo.com/2012/02/15/novena-to-st-john-neumann-intercede-for-father-peter-donohue-osa-and-villanova-university/
Luke 6:27-36
Forgiveness does not include allowing someone who reviles the church to promote sinful behavior within a church affiliated institution. The Novena is a wonderful idea, but expressing our dismay at the actions of the university is also important.
You, sir, are a true Catholic. God bless you.
Yes VU Student, you are wrong. Forgiveness and understanding are not the main principles of Catholicism. This is an issue of morality, and the Church provides clear teaching on all issues of morality. I am sure there is a copy of the Catechism floating around somewhere at VIllanova. (note: it’s not in Father Peter’s office, I am quite certain) So seek it out – dust it off – and start reading! In the meanwhile, here’s some light reading for you:
http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/cis/cis123.pdf
Diversity is code word for homosexual. Do your research on who’s pushing this agenda at your age group, and chances are you’ll drop the understanding mush forever. Think marriage – think eternity !
Villanova presented their land development plans at the host Township Board of Commissioners meeting last night. Prominent in the proposal is a new entertainment center. Here’s the strategy. Villanova and Father Donohue need publicity for what is hoped to be a magnet: an entertainment center. They release the news of the sexually “oriented” star, and so blossoms a publicity idea, beginning the saga of Villanova’s new phase of drama curriculum. If this is the opening chapter, what can we expect but a continuation of the same, and very obsolete, risqué, depraved, and/or secular curricula that have torn many Catholic campuses for some time ? And why must they seek free publicity through a rather unwholesome using of the Catholic blogs ? Chalk up another misuse of communications media by secularists.
1: He is a performance artist first and foremost who will be holding a workshop as well as a lecture about performance art and how solo performance can be used to perform ones own identity. The workshop will be used so that he can help students understand the process of reflecting on their identity, understanding that identity, and then how to perform it. It is up to the individual to perform their own identity.
2: He is a well respected artist, and Villanova should take pride that it is able to attract such a well regarded figure in his discipline.
3: As a religious institution we must act as Jesus did and have respect for ALL people and see them as human beings. Understanding that we are all human beings and make mistakes but we should not judge on those mistakes, rather be supportive and welcoming.
4: As an academic institution we must foster discussion, even if that discussion is controversial and create a safe environment for that discussion to occur. This does not mean that we shut opposing views out. This means we welcome them as a way to challenge our views and help ourselves better understand our own positions.
5: I support Tim Miller coming to Villanova to lead a workshop on solo performance of identity and to give a lecture on the process of developing solo performances.
Just how respected is he?
“Singled out last year as one of the notorious “NEA four”–a quartet of artists denied National Endowment for the Arts grants for endeavors deemed more offensive than valid–Miller has been a particular bete noire to conservatives. He is that most terrifying of hyphenates: a gay militant activist-artist, whose sexual preference has become what propels his art” (See LA TIMES http://articles.latimes.com/1991-03-21/entertainment/ca-1026_1_arts-grants)
We must act as Jesus did, yes, indeed. What would Jesus ask us to do about this? Ignore it and move on? Or speak up?
ACT UP – the group Tim Miller belongs to:
See link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS_Coalition_to_Unleash_Power
“Stop the Church”
In December 1989, approximately 4,500 protestors disrupted a St. Patrick’s Cathedral mass in a demonstration directed toward the Roman Catholic Archdiocese’s public stand against AIDS education and condom distribution, as well as its opposition to abortion.[12] One-hundred and eleven protesters were arrested. Camille Paglia wrote in a December 2008 Salon column that a consecrated Host was desecrated by a protester, an act considered by Catholics to be blasphemous and an outrage.[3] Robert Hilferty’s documentary about the protest, Stop the Church, was originally scheduled to air on PBS. The film was eventually dropped from national broadcast by PBS, but still aired on Public-access television cable TV stations in several major cities including Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.[13]
[edit]
When all is said and done, VIllanova, via Father Peter Donohue, has cast aside its Catholic identity under the false pretense of encouraging performance art. I wish Father Donohue the best of luck explaining that one when his time comes….
I am class of 1945 – Reading about this is extremely saddening and disappointing. I thought Villanova was one still holy,Catholic school.It seems so far left from where we were back in my day. What is the matter with the administration? What has happened? I had been so proud to be a Villanova alumnus!
First, I welcome Mr. Miller to Villanova as a child of God. There is no more powerful message to those that disagree with the Church than to show them forgiveness and love, and forgiveness becomes all the more powerful when it is such a hot button issue as this. In fact, it was the Church’s capacity and strength for forgiveness that helped St. Augustine to turn away from sin. So, we as Catholics must never reject a person based on their sin because we have all sinned and felt His healing grace.
Second, he is not coming to promote gay rights or convert people away from Jesus, but as a preeminent figure in the field of performance art and solo performance, specifically solo performance of identity. His workshop and lecture will be used to help those that attend understand the process of self reflection and how to turn the understanding gained from that into a meaningful performance of one’s own identity. Whatever that identity may be. I am sure he would welcome students to reflect on their Catholic identity and what that has meant for them and help them to put together meaningful performances of that identity that helps the participants to better grasp how being Catholic has impacted their lives. Not only would he encourage it, he has actually done a performance about his Christian identity in the early ’90s. This performance caused him to catch flak from the gay community because of his openness to perform and discuss the struggles he has had between his Christian and gay identity.
Finally, I believe more information about ACT UP and Mr. Miller’s involvement in it must be understood. From what I have gathered through some (limited) research, it seems that ACT UP was a large but loosely defined organization that operated in a similar fashion to that of today’s Tea Party and Occupy movements. It seems that while there were many members, there was little central leadership and the group operated on a chapter basis. Mr. Miller was most involved with the L.A. chapter, and it was the N.Y. chapter that interrupted Sunday mass (pray for them). I cannot find anywhere that says that Mr. Miller participated in this action, and in the cited NYT article many in the gay community and ACT UP itself found the action to be crossing the line. So, calling the group as a whole anti-Catholic is a difficult jump to make considering the fact that the group is so large with so many members of varying specific views.
While we may disagree with ACT UP’s and/or Mr. Miller’s tactics and views, we cannot bar Mr. Miller from campus because of this. What sort of precedent would that set? Would Villanova then have to get rid of any professor or student that has differing beliefs from the Church? We must respect him as a human being, pray for his forgiveness, learn how to use performance as a way of understanding one’s identity, and always be the loving face of Christ to all those that we encounter.
Up till now have been financially assisting a granddaughter attend Villanova. No longer! Will now be encouraging her to transfer to a Catholic college.
You have every right to not patronize your secularist college administration’s sloppy decision making and apparent abandonment of the commandments. You recognize the truth in this – don’t conciliate with evil for another second !
I am so disappointed in the university’s decision to host this artist and will seriously consider not giving money or supporting them in future in spite of having a junior there now. Yes, art can help us to understand human nature but if it degrades it in the process, then it actually lessens our ability to truly appreciate what it is to be human. It comes down to whether we believe that God’s word should help us determine what human nature is. If we start with that, then we will be able to decide what is “degrading” in art. Honesty in art isn’t in and of itself wrong, but it must lead to a full and not lesser appreciation of who we are as the Lord’s children. Haven’t seen the show so would love to hear opinions from anyone who has.
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