(NAME-MCE) Another Catholic Commencement Controversy

[Anselmo Villanueva]

Another Catholic Commencement Controversy

Graduation ceremonies at Xavier University of Louisiana -- the only
historically black, Roman Catholic college -- will take place this year
without New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes. That's because the archbishop
has ruled out appearing as long as the university continues with its plans
to have Donna Brazile as the main speaker (and honorary degree recipient),
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported. Brazile, a political consultant and
news commentator, is known for her liberal views, and she supports abortion
rights. Brazile sent an e-mail to the newspaper in which she said: "As a
life long devoted Catholic, I am sorry the archbishop will boycott this
celebration of the class of 2009. I will remain faithful to the Catholic
Church and my Christian faith which keeps me grounded." The newspaper noted
that three years ago a politician who supports abortion rights spoke at
Xavier's graduation, without controversy. That would be Barack Obama.

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/archbishop_hughes_to_boycott_x.html
Archbishop Hughes to boycott Xavier commencement over abortion rights
honoree Donna Brazile by Bruce Nolan and John Pope, The Times-Picayune Thursday
April 23, 2009, 12:00 PM
Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes is
boycotting Xavier's commencement because the university is honoring
Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile, who supports abortion rights
for women.
Donna Brazile

Archbishop Alfred Hughes has told Xavier University he will not attend its
graduation ceremonies next month because he objects to the university's
decision to award an honorary degree to Donna Brazile, the veteran
Democratic political strategist who supports abortion rights.

Hughes told Xavier President Norman Francis of his decision *by
letter<http://blog.nola.com/news_impact/2009/04/hughes.pdf>
* in which expressed his disappointment with the university, even as he
acknowledged its legacy of education among African Americans.

Hughes also praised Francis personally "for your remarkable record of public
service."

In response, a statement from the university said, "From the founding of
Xavier 84 years ago, our institution has promoted respect for the dignity,
well-being and the protection of life for all persons."

Brazile, a Catholic and a native of Kenner, is a familiar advocate on behalf
of Democratic issues, working at the national level in support of Democratic
values that include defense of abortion rights and pursuit of
embryonic-stem-cell research.

The Catholic church opposes those policies, believing that both take human
lives.

She is a familiar television face as a political contributor on CNN and ABC,
and writes for Roll Call and Ms. magazines.

After years of growing political experience, Brazile managed Al Gore's
unsuccessful 2000 presidential campaign, becoming the first black woman to
hold such a position. She is the founder of Brazile and Associates, a
consulting, grass roots advocacy and training firm a few blocks from the
White House.

"As life long devoted Catholic, I am sorry the archbishop will boycott this
celebration of the class of 2009," Brazile said by email. "I will remain
faithful to the Catholic Church and my Christian faith which keeps me
grounded."

Brazile will give the commencement address in addition to receiving an
honorary degree. Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker will also receive an
honorary degree.

Xavier spokesman Warren Bell said Francis makes the selection and invites
the speaker, working off a list of preferences prepared by student leaders.

Francis said Hughes' decision "surprised me a little."

"I make the best decisions possible. I think we've been as Christian and
Catholic as we can be."

Xavier's decision to honor her breaks with Catholic bishops' determination
to present a consistent front of opposition to abortion rights.

In a 2004 document "Catholics in Political Life," they urged that Catholic
institutions, including independent Catholic colleges like Xavier, "should
not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. The
should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support
for their actions."

Three years ago, Xavier awarded an honorary degree to President Barack
Obama, then an Illinois senator and rising Democratic star with a record for
supporting abortion rights, without objection from Hughes.

But archdiocesan spokeswoman Sarah Comiskey said Hughes had not been aware
of the honor to Obama, which came while the bishops' common pledge was in
force.

At that time, Francis said, Obama had not announced his candidacy.

"It could be that it flew under the radar screen," he said.

*Bruce Nolan can be reached at 504.826.3344, or bnolan at timespicayune.com;
John Pope can be reached at 504.826.3317, or jpope at timespicayune.com.*