Response to Patricia Killen's decision to allow 'The Vagina Monologues'

In her letter explaining her decision to allow the performance of the "Vagina Monologues," Academic Vice President Dr. Patricia Killen cites the Church document, "Ex Corde Ecclesiae," which is the official document concerning Catholic Universities. The section she cites (section 7) says that Catholic Universities have the character of impartially searching for the truth.  I would, first of all, like to thank Dr. Killen for attempting to make Gonzaga more Catholic by following the directives of "Ex Corde Ecclesiae."  I would, however, strongly disagree that, under this document, and any other official Church document, provisions are made that would support the performance of the "Vagina Monologues." 

What Catholics and those supporting the Monologues have in agreement is the dignity of women.  What they disagree about, however, is how this dignity is realized, and how it is lived.  Upon further reading of "Ex Corde Ecclesiae," beyond the generalized introduction, it says that Catholic Universities must follow the teachings of the Church: "One consequence of its essential relationship to the Church is that the institutionalfidelity of the University to the Christian message includes a recognition of and adherence to the teaching authority of the Church in matters of faith and morals. Catholic members of the university community are also called to a personal fidelity to the Church with all that this implies. Non-Catholic members are required to respect the Catholic character of the University, while the University in turn respects their religious liberty," (27), So the issue now is, what does the Church say about faith and morals? 

In the Monologues, as can be either read online, or seen on YouTube, there is, in a sense, the glorification of masturbation, of sexual relations outside of marriage and of other such activities.  There are even sections where "Cunt Power!" is chanted.  We can see clearly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is the official compilation of the teachings of the Church regarding faith and morals, that masturbation (CCC 2352), fornication (CCC 2353), and the identification of people as mere sexual objects (cf. CCC 2337 through 2350), are contrary to the faith and morals of Catholics.  We read further on in "Ex Corde Ecclesiae," that, "the education of students is to combine academic and professional development with formation in moral and religious principles and the social teachings of the Church." (50) We can see, clearly, that the content of the Monologues is contrary to the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Church. The Monologues, therefore, do not have a place in a Catholic institution or in the education of its students.

This does not mean, however, that we cannot have discussion about the dignity, respect, and vocation of women, which is a part of the Catholic commitment to truth.  Pope John Paul II wrote an incredible document called, "On the Dignity and Vocation of Women."  He also treats human sexuality in his "Theology of the Body" writings.  The Catechism, especially in sections 2331 through 2336, as well as the Vatican II constitutions "Gaudium et Spes" and "Lumen Gentium," all speak of the equality of men and women, and the inherent dignity of humanity and sexual identity.  Instead of having performances of controversial plays or other events that polemically divide more than they unite, why can't we simply have speakers, lectures, and events based around these documents that truly represent the Catholic position?  Events like these are already planned, I believe, and present a more reasonable, Catholic approach toward dialogue with the truth. These events would also be more agreeable to students and faculty regardless of political or ideological affiliation.  They would also affirm the commitment that Gonzaga has to its Catholic identity, and to the Jesuit identity, which, itself, is still subordinate to the directives of the Catholic Church.  We at Gonzaga should, first, read, and be able to cite, the official documents of the Church regarding these issues, otherwise we have no way of saying whether or not an opinion is Catholic.

There is no question about the dignity, respect, and vocation of women.  The Monologues, however, present such issues in a way contrary to the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Church (recall "Ex Corde Ecclesiae,"27, above).  To allow, even unofficially, its performance on a Catholic campus, is to throw into doubt Gonzaga's commitment to "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" and the teachings of the Church.