ollowing the news story below is a commentary by Gary L. Morella, member of
the Catholic Faculty at Penn State University regarding some very disturbing
examples of anti-Catholic bigotry, and suppression of freedom of speech at
Penn State by militant homosexual activists.
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The following appeared in the COMMUNICANT, January 1997 (local State College
Pennsylvania Christian paper.)
STUDENT ART EXHIBIT AT PENN STATE STIRS CONTROVERSY ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Catholic faculty,
alumni and
representatives of
Catholic organizations
have been calling for
a formal university
response to the
incident.
It wasn't big news in the Centre Region's daily newspaper, but an art
display on Penn State's University part campus in late November has been
raising hackles and making headlines ever since, particularly in Catholic
circles across the country.
According to a university source, the art department at Penn State had
arranged for an exhibition of student works in a wooded area adjacent to the
Eisenhower Chapel. One of the artworks was a statue of the Virgin Mary resting
within a cave-like structure which was actually a detailed representation of
female genitalia, complete with pubic hair and blood.
The Director of Penn State Catholic Development had a visceral
response when he encountered the artwork on the Penn State campus.
"The sight of this object was so repulsing that my stomach was upset," he
said, "I wanted to vomit on the spot." After he talked with a fellow
believer on campus he realized the importance of praying for the student
artist. But he said he felt that the responsibility for the display was also
shared by the art professor and the University. "An apology and retribution is
warranted to the whole Christian community and especially the Catholics," he
said.
After the Catholic Campus Ministry received complaints regarding the
desecration of the statue, Father Leo Arnone of the ministry brought the
concern to the art department, Shortly thereafter, the student's art was
removed and replaced with a statement by the student, Christine Enedy,
explaining the genesis of her creation.
Eternal Word Television Network, a Catholic organization which
maintains an international presence on the worldwide web, reported details of
the Penn State story as a December 4 news feature. The EWTN article said that
students who prepared art for the exhibit had been told they could display any
work, of any kind, provided that it was not illegal or unsafe to observers.
That liberty apparently provided the opportunity for what has been referred to
as a case of Catholic-bashing. Catholic faculty, alumni, and representatives
of Catholic organizations have been calling for a formal university response to
the incident.
Mike Flach, editor of the Arlington (VA) Catholic Herald heard about
the incident on the internet. A 1980 Penn State grad, Flach said he was
"embarrassed for the university and insulted at this blatant anti-Catholic
artwork."
Penn State president Graham Spanier was unable to respond to an inquiry
from THE COMMUNICANT regarding the university position on the incident. His
office has referred other inquiries to the Dean of the College of Arts and
Architecture.
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AN EARLY 1996 CHRISTMAS PRESENT FROM PENN STATE TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
by Gary L. Morella
The art department at Penn State University had some students present
displays in a wooded area adjacent to the Eisenhower Chapel. The effort
of one of these students was a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary resting
within what appeared to be a grotto setting but was actually female
genitalia complete with surrounding pubic hair and blood emanating from
the orifice. At the foot of this "thing" were candles to the Sacred
Heart of Jesus.
Many people complained to the Catholic Campus Ministry about this desecration
of the statue to the Mother of God, a title which Christians worldwide will
soon celebrate with the birth of our Savior.
We are not allowed to have public Nativity scenes. But desecration of
Christian symbols is OK at our major secular universities. Do you suppose
that artistic expression in the way of burning crosses or sleigh bells hanging
from Swastikas would be allowed in this diverse/multicultural world
in which we live?
Penn State owes a public apology to the Christian community for associating
itself with this filth which is a slap in the face to every Christian on
this campus.