By Matt Abbott
Op/Ed
Catholic Online

The following letter comes from Catholic Citizens of Illinois (www.catholiccitizens.org):

April 21, 2006

Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., President
DePaul University
55 E. Jackson Blvd., 22nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60604

Dear Rev. Holtschnieder

According to the Chicago Tribune article published February 20, 2006, DePaul will be offering a minor in “Queer Studies” which we are writing to ask that you cancel at once.

The article says, “The minor requires that students take an introductory course and five electives, which can include courses in queer theory, history of sexuality in America, queer pioneers and gay and lesbian literature.” The article mentions how, “several students in the class said they are planning for jobs in lesbian and gay activism…” As this article suggests, and later comments on National Public Radio confirmed, DePaul’s program is training the next generation of pro-homosexual activists.

1. “Queer Studies” is Contrary to DePaul’s Stated Mission

This is totally at odds with the mission you claim at your own website: “We were founded by the Vincentians in 1898 and have grown to become the country’s largest Catholic university. The principal distinguishing marks of the university are its Catholic, Vincentian, and urban character.”

Your website goes on to say “By reason of its Catholic character, DePaul strives to bring the light of Catholic faith and the treasures of knowledge into a mutually challenging and supportive relationship. It accepts as its corporate responsibility to remain faithful to the Catholic message drawn from authentic religious sources both traditional and contemporary.”

“The university derives its title and fundamental mission from St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, a religious community whose members, Vincentians, established and continue to sponsor DePaul.”

2. “Queer Studies” is Contrary to Clearly Articulated Catholic Catechism

Please allow us to remind you that the Catholic Catechism speaks very clearly on the issue of homosexuality, and that your efforts to affirm people in this sinful lifestyle are utterly despicable and scandalous.

Matthew 5: 27-28: You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

From the Catholic Catechism – Second Edition, 1994 - Chastity and homosexuality

2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

3. “Queer Studies” is Contrary to Ex Corde Ecclesia

APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION OF THE SUPREME PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II ON CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES – August 15, 1990

Article 4. The University Community

§ 1. The responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the Catholic identity of the University rests primarily with the University itself. While this responsibility is entrusted principally to university authorities (including, when the positions exist, the Chancellor and/or a Board of Trustees or equivalent body), it is shared in varying degrees by all members of the university community, and therefore calls for the recruitment of adequate university personnel, especially teachers and administrators, who are both willing and able to promote that identity. The identity of a ...