Fr. Martin Fox wrote a letter to the president of University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis about the case of Benjamin Kessler, a seminarian and graduate who gave a controversial speech at commencement. Now, Fr. Fox says he has received a response from Father Dease.
I was present at the graduation ceremony and heard Mr. Kessler’s speech. I do not believe it was appropriate for him to use our Commencement event as a venue for his comments. There is no question that he was speaking sincerely and upholding Church teaching, and there were certainly many ways that Mr. Kessler might have dealt with the subject of “selfishness” from a Catholic perspective that could have been edifying. However, to berate his classmates on what was to have been a joyous occasion of celebration and congratulation was not appropriate and was hurtful to many of our students and their families.
Well, we wouldn’t want to challenge anyone or spur them on to greater heights of virtue or anything. Instead let’s pretend that they have no faults and are perfection itself. Sheesh.
Haven’t you heard? Propriety is the highest virtue, and giving offense the unforgivable sin.
“However, to berate his classmates on what was to have been a joyous occasion of celebration and congratulation…”
He probably thinks that about every Mass he says, too.
My local parish priest also gave a “hurtful” homily recently, stating that sex outside marriage was a sin and that sex inside marriage was for the purpose of procreation. Some of those “hurt” actually yelled at him and some left. I thanked him.
It is the Truth that sometimes hurts but all followers of Christ are called to speak it.
And more of His followers are beginning to take the challenge.
Is the text of the speech available anywhere? Without that, we don’t have much to go on.
midwest mom:
They yelled at him in Mass???
“midwest mom:
They yelled at him in Mass??? “
Not at the one I attended but he told me that they had done that at the earlier Masses. It’s I got the impression they jeered him in Mass and got up and left. I suggested he get permission to do exorcisms.