Creighton U. comes around (in its own way)

Thanks to John Brehany for notifying me that Creighton U. has "mutually agreed upon cancellation" of author Anne Lamott's lecture on Women and Health, a story previously-reported on AmP earlier this week here.

The full text of Creighton's news release:

Creighton University and author Anne Lamott have mutually agreed upon cancellation of her public lecture on September 19, 2007.

After careful review of Ms. Lamott’s most recent writings (which postdated her contract agreement), we have concluded that key points are in opposition to Catholic teaching which, in our judgment, makes her an inappropriate choice for the Women and Health Lecture Series.

Creighton University is not “viewpoint neutral” as we have a religious, Catholic mission. However, as an authentic university, Creighton does respect other views and regularly has speakers, panelists and others who do not necessarily agree with all aspects of our beliefs. At a featured lecture like this, the degree to which the speaker’s views do not harmonize with our Catholic mission becomes more salient. As a Jesuit university, Creighton is a place of intellectual honesty, pluralism, and mutual respect where inquiry and open discussion characterize the environment of teaching, research and professional development.

I'm not very happy about how apologetically Creighton U. has disinvited an offensive guest. It's Ms. Lamott who should be apologizing. Still, this is a good step and I applaud Creighton for making the right call, even if I wish they would have shown a bit more courage in their new-found convictions.

This episode gets me to thinking - what other Catholic Universities currently have inappropriate guest lecturers invited? I'd like to compile a list and would appreciate any email tips. Other Catholic universities would be well advised to follow in Creighton's footsteps.

Go ahead, Catholic institutions, be Catholic!

Update: I've gone and did it.