A Papist after my own heart: Ben Kessler takes a stand

For me, dinner conversation this evening turned towards the intrepid actions of Ben Kessler, an all-american, 4.0-achieving college seminarian going on to study for the priesthood next year at the North American College in Rome.

I was talking to a friend of mine who attends Saint John Vianney seminary (near STU where Kessler went) and Kessler's commencement speech was mentioned. Arriving home, I found that some people had blogged the story (notably Dom).

Well, I also think the story deserves some attention, and Kessler support. Kessler was given the prestigious "Tommie of the Year" award by the staff, faculty and students of St. Thomas University, and boy, did he deliver:

"Ben Kessler, an academic All-America football player at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., scolded students for using birth control, criticized a recent food fight and backed the Catholic school's policy of barring unmarried faculty and staff in romantic relationships from rooming together on school trips that include students, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported." [source]

"The remarks by Ben Kessler, a well-known student recently honored by peers and faculty as Tommie of the Year, led to catcalls and boos during commencement at the Catholic university in St. Paul. Others booed those who were booing. Some students walked out on their own graduation ceremony." [source]

Some backstory is needed for his remarks: St. Thomas University has been embroiled in several controversies this academic year, and basically, Kessler came out supporting Catholic teaching regarding the issues at stake. Kessler's remarks provoked a sharp response during and after:

Buzz about the incident dominated post-graduation parties, spread throughout the community and sparked a flurry of e-mails. By Monday, there were scattered requests to strip Kessler of his Tommie of the Year award and questions about why St. Thomas officials didn't try to pull the plug on Kessler's speech as the crowd's unhappiness intensified. [source]

The president of STU, Rev. Dennis Dease, was quick to offer an apology:

"I have shared my sentiments with Mr. Kessler that it was not appropriate for him to use the commencement exercise as a venue to express his opinions on several issues. I had hoped that he would focus on the accomplishments of his fellow graduates and challenge them to continue their efforts 'to advance the common good,' as our mission statement urges." [More...]

(What else is a student speaker invited to do except talk about his opinions and experiences?)

Kessler has also apologized to anyone he offended (before leaving for a retreat):

"I first would like to apologize to all offended by my words. As I stated in the opening line of my address, graduation is a time to look back and a time to look ahead. On Saturday, I looked back at some issues our university and our society have faced. I then looked ahead and tried to provide hope to all in attendance. Instead of providing hope to all, I offended some by my words and by my decision to speak those words at commencement. I sincerely apologize to each person I offended." [source]

Okay, sure, apologize if you went too far and offended someone. But did he go too far?

Go ahead and watch it for yourself. (see below for video)

In the speech he lays out two choices for his audience: selfishness or selflessness, and wants them to be truly happy by giving and living selflessly. What he identifies as selfish are things like a cafeteria brawl that brought the police, the practice of birth control (because it hurts relationships in the long term, etc), and traveling and staying with an unmarried partner (in the case of St. Thomas, originally the problem was provoked by a lesbian couple). This is what Kessler spoke against. Those who protested his speech said he was "too conservative."

Kessler spoke about "true, lasting happiness ... as lived by St. Thomas Aquinas, Mother Theresa... and - dare he say it- Jesus Christ himself."

... so, what exactly does he have to apologize for?

Update: you can view his speech below (some foul language - be warned):



Update: Read the U. of St. Thomas president's response to a letter here.

Vote in this week's American Papist poll: Do you support Ben Kessler's commencement address?