As expected, Coach Majerus’ pro-choice and pro-stem cell research comments have drawn the ire of one well known and very outspoken Archbishop Burke. Burke was clearly not going to tolerate such comments and now “trusts” that Saint Louis University will discipline Majerus.
However, there are some glaring issues with this whole situation.
First and foremost, Majerus is an adult, capable making rational decisions. And as a citizen of the United States, his decision to voice what he believes is his right. While not all may agree with it, it is his protected freedom.
He did not say, “I am representing Saint Louis University.” He spoke on behalf of himself. It seems that Burke could not make that distinction. Thankfully, SLU officials could, as clearly stated in a statement released to the press.
The SLU community includes a variety of nationalities and beliefs. Hindus, Muslims, Wiccans and Atheists may not conform to Catholic doctrine in every belief, yet should they be punished as well? Should SLU become a university for Catholic students only? What then about SLU employees? Hire a Catholic, but if you’re Protestant or Baptist, sorry, but no?
Such a narrowing of ideology would be a disgrace to the meaning of a “university:” universitas magistrorum et scholarium means “community of teachers and scholars.” Restrict diversity here and you water down our melting pot
I am a Roman Catholic. I am pro-life. I would always hope that a woman should choose to give a child up for adoption rather than aborting it.
However, I am also pro-choice.
Impossible, you say? I don’t think so. While in full support of Life, I will not tell another human being how to live her life and what to do with her body. I am saddened when people choose abortion, but that is their decision, not mine.
In 2004, Burke and his team sent pamphlets to my family and many others, telling us how we should vote. But as citizens of a country as well as followers of a faith, we can make up our own minds on how to vote. I think Burke may have failed to understand the days of Catholics being obedient “pew potatoes” are actually long gone.
The second any church starts telling us how to vote, we might as well change the United States from a democracy to a theocracy.
Not only is Burke failing to understand the Catholic populace in his diocese, but he is also driving them away.
Jesus was about tolerance, love, and forgiveness. As bishops are among the traditional post of leadership in the Church that follows in the steps of the Apostles whom in turn followed the teachings of Jesus Christ, you would think that excommunication and refusal of communion, as Burke is so fond of, would be unthinkable.
Even though I may not agree with Majerus, I support him in his right to voice his beliefs as an individual. As for Archbishop Burke, I would sincerely suggest he focus on staying out of the political spotlight and instead focus on his own church.
Otherwise, the gap between the worshippers and its leaders will continue to expand until it reaches to point of never being able to be bridged.
Anthony Cozad is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
