Holy Cross Father John Jenkins, Notre Dame's new president, announced the change of venue for the play and also said he is seeking opinions from faculty, students and alumni about what events are appropriate to hold on campus.

His comments came during a convocation with faculty Jan. 23 and one with students Jan. 24. During those sessions he delivered a presentation on "Academic Freedom and Catholic Character: An Invitation to Reflection and Response."

"The Vagina Monologues," performed annually on several hundred college campuses around the country in mid-February, is based on more than 200 interviews by playwright Eve Ensler and features female characters as vaginas that speak out in a series of monologues. Its production on Catholic college campuses often raises questions and occasionally sparks protests.

In his presentations to faculty and students, Father Jenkins asked for their input and said he would seek input from alumni as well to help him develop principles to guide decisions about what events are appropriate for Notre Dame, including the play and an annual festival featuring gay-themed films.

The priest said he will make decisions "according to my most informed and considered judgment about what is best for the university and its mission." However, he said he would, "as appropriate and practicable, strive to solicit and listen to the views of relevant individuals and groups."

In comments about the Queer Film Festival, another event scheduled for February at Notre Dame, he said that to those unfamiliar with it the title "seems to celebrate homosexual activity." The festival, which has taken place on campus for the past two years, features films about gays and lesbians.

He also cited concerns by some that among the films "a Catholic view on sexual morality is not adequately presented." The event has since been renamed and will be called "Gay and Lesbian Film: Filmmakers, Narratives, Spectatorships."

As for "The Vagina Monologues," Father Jenkins said many laudable goals were associated with the performance of the work. The play is usually presented around Valentine's Day as part of a V-Day campaign to stop violence against women. Proceeds go to organizations that help women in crisis.

Father Jenkins said he had read the play and shared the concern of many others that, in the play's discussion of female sexuality and in the community and culture it strives to create, there is "no hint of central elements of Catholic sexual morality."

The play's portrayals "stand apart from, and indeed in opposition to, the view that human sexuality finds its proper expression in the committed relationship of marriage between a man and a woman that is open to the gift of procreation," Father Jenkins said.

"Moreover, the repeated performance of the play and the publicity surrounding it suggest that the university endorses certain themes in the play, or at least finds them compatible with its values," he added. "Despite the many laudable goals of those who support this performance, I find problematic that the university continues to sponsor annual performances of this play."

Throughout his talks, Father Jenkins referred to the "sacred value" of academic freedom, saying it is essential to a university.

"It ensures that faculty have the ability to research, create, teach and express themselves in accord with their own best judgment. Appropriately applied to students, it ensures that they have the opportunity to inquire, express opinions, explore ideas and engage in discussion," Father Jenkins said.

However, freedom of expression does not have "absolute priority in every circumstance," he added. "While any restriction on expression must be reluctant and restrained, I believe that, in some situations, given the distinctive character and aspirations of Notre Dame, it may be necessary to establish certain boundaries, while defending the appropriate exercise of academic freedom."

Father Jenkins drew a distinction between the activities of individual faculty and students versus events such as the play and the film festival that are sponsored by units of the university and occur in university facilities. His concern, Father Jenkins said, is not with censorship, but with sponsorship.

He asked his listeners to consider that "an event, which has the implicit or explicit sponsorship of the university as a whole, one of its units or a university-recognized organization, and which either is, or appears to be, in name or content clearly and egregiously contrary to or inconsistent with the fundamental values of a Catholic university, should not be allowed at Notre Dame."

Father Jenkins promised to take into consideration all the input he receives in formulating principles that will guide decisions about events on campus. Notre Dame has set up special e-mail addresses for faculty, student and alumni response.

Meanwhile, Dominican Father Brian J. Shanley, the new president of Providence College in Providence, R.I, announced Jan. 19 that his college would not be presenting the play. Other Catholic colleges, including the University of Portland in Oregon, also have prohibited public performances of it on their campuses.

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops