Villanova University is a Catholic institution, fine, I got that. But today’s Daily News points out a group within Villanova’s community that has quite simply gone TOO FAR - using the Virgin Mary as a controversial symbol of a pro life group on campus is wrong.
The Blessed Mother or the Virgin Mary is the mother of Jesus. She is a symbol of good, of purity, of holiness. It is my opinion that a group called Villanovans for Life http://prolife.villanova.edu/ has taken a symbol of beauty and turned it into something ugly. This is what they say on their own web site:
Villanovans for Life is excited to announce that the university has just approved a monument for the victims of abortion.
This structure will memorialize those who have died as a result of legalized abortion and all those who suffer physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually due to abortion. This includes babies, mothers, fathers, families and friends.
I am not here to discuss my views on abortion. They are PERSONAL. After all, it is MY body, MY soul up for eternal damnation (or not). I am however, a believer in a woman’s right to choose. Why? Because any decision that I might PERSONALLY make with regards to my body should not be foisted upon other women out there.
I do not believe that this pro-choice / pro-life debate belongs on political platforms or pulpits, nor do I believe people (men OR women) in clerical or judicial robes should tell someone what to do with their bodies. I am certain this statement will bring all the fruitcakes out of the woodwork. I am taking a personal risk by even saying anything, but who are we as human beings to judge if a woman can’t bear a child without grave risk to her person, or doesn’t want a child because it is a product of violence like rape?
Villanova University needs to cut the crap. It is just as evil to allow a symbol of goodness and purity, the Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, whatever you want to call her and allow her image to be used in this fashion. Villanova is basically corrupting and dishonoring a sacred figure. I call the lot of them religious hypocrites. Villanova University has allowed a statue of one of the most beautiful symbols of Christian religion to be used as a poster child for activism. That is religiously and symbolically irresponsible. It is such a sham it is transparent. If I were a woman at Villanova I would be filling out paperwork to transfer out. If I was a woman just accepted, I would choose another school. It is a shame this fine institution isn’t as proactive about other topics that affect women.
Controversy over statue
By REGINA MEDINA
medinar@phillynews.com 215-854-5985
Excerpt:
A SCULPTURE OF the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, proposed as a "memorial for the victims of abortion" at Villanova University, has upset some students, including some who oppose abortion.
Villanovans for Life, which spearheaded the monument effort, says the statue "will memorialize those who have died as a result of legalized abortion and all those who suffer physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually due to abortion," according to the group's Web site.
The school's board of trustees is expected to approve the monument at its meeting tomorrow.
The objections range from the monument's proposed location to its political significance.
Some students think its placement along a high-traffic area in south campus is inappropriate. Others feel the monument is more of a political statement than a religious one. And still others believe it counters Villanova's goal of attracting non-Catholics to the school.Pro-life freshman Clint Gilliam agrees with the concept of the statue, but thinks its high-profile placement is a bad idea.
"It's just a little in your face," he said. "It sort of makes people who don't believe in those things uncomfortable."
Adds freshman Peggy Costello, "I'm personally pro-life and I don't like the statue at all.
"I feel that putting up a statue like that completely counters the diversity we're trying to advocate or uphold," said Costello, 19, who thinks the memorial could alienate non-Catholics.
University spokeswoman Barbara K. Clement said that while Villanova does seek racial and economic diversity, it is a Roman Catholic, Augustinian university."The statue would be within the precepts of faith," Clement said.
Full text: http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/14306436.htm
Mary is the pro-life patroness
i am very involved in the pro-life movement and i just wanted to let you all know that Mary is the patroness of the pro-life movement. so to say that it is wrong to use her as a symbol won't make sense to any pro-lifers you might speak to.
http://www.hli.org/commentaries_fr_tom_olg_patroness_pro-life_movement.html
and someone mentioned earlier... what about the life of the baby? let's set aside everything else for a moment. doesn't the baby have the right to live? i will grant you are correct about everything else if you can prove to me that the preborn fetus is not human and doesn't possess the same right to life that we all have.
on top of which, i'll even go so far as to say that this memorial doesnt have anything to do with pro-life or pro-choice opinions. it is a FACT that 93% of all women who have abortions, regret them (silentnomoreawareness.org). these women feel true pain and regret at their decision. dont they have the right to find healing? that is what villanovans for life says they are trying to help with. they arent condemning anyone or even saying that abortion is innately evil. they are acknowledging that people have been hurt and are reaching out in love to them. is that wrong??