A Georgetown University Student Association representative defended the controversial remarks made by Cardinal Francis Arinze at the 2003 Georgetown College graduation ceremony at this week’s GUSA meeting.
Council members and 15 concerned students gathered to hear Matt Mauney (CAS ‘05) propose a resolution that would affirm the University’s commitment to an “inclusive community.” After more than 30 minutes of debate, the resolution was vetoed in a 3-12 vote.
The motion, first circulated among GUSA members a week ago, came as a response to the Cardinal’s contentious graduation ceremony statement. “In many parts of the world, the family is under siege. It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce,” said Arinze last June.
“This is not a homophobic resolution,” said Mauney. “This is about inclusiveness and open debate on campus. (Clonazepam) ”
The proposal affirmed the University’s commitment to an inclusive community rooted in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, thanked the Cardinal for a “meaningful and appropriate” commencement address and requested that professors who spoke out against the teaching of Catholic doctrine at the commencement address “affirm their commitment to an inclusive community.”
Mauney’s resolution angered several student groups on campus. Ten student organizations, including Knights of Columbus, Peace Action, GU Pride, MECha, College Democrats and the Progressive Coalition Board, pledged their opposition to the resolution. Several club leaders submitted written responses to the amendment, while others took action by encouraging their club members to attend the meeting.
Mauney acknowledged the hostility his proposal created, but told the assembly that he felt compelled to present the resolution even though he would be committing what one of his friends warned him would be “social suicide.”
GUSA rep Octavio Gonzalez (CAS ‘06) disagreed that GUSA should thank the Cardinal for his address. Most other GUSA members agreed that while the right to free speech is an important aspect of the University, this particular instance did not merit official approval.
“We support the right of the Cardinal to say what he said, but I do not think we can sponsor an act that prescribes, even indirectly, exclusion of any kind,” said Pravin Rajan (SFS ‘07).
After GUSA members debated for over thirty minutes, audience members joined the discussion. Gladys Cisneros (SFS ‘04) offered an impromptu speech that roused applause from almost everyone present and closed debate on the issue.
“The biggest problem with the Cardinal’s speech was that there was no opportunity for discussion,” said Cisneros. “Graduation is the last time to be together with all of your Georgetown classmates-a hallmark-and it shouldn’t have to be a bad memory for some.”
The debate did not change Mauney’s position. “GUSA has just said speakers are welcome to talk about anything, excluding Catholicism, at a Catholic university. This is an embarrassment for our University and student government. This is a shameful day in a long line of embarrassing moves made by our student government,” he said.
The assembly also voted on whether to adopt a counter-resolution proposed by GUSA member Luis Torres (CAS’05). The assembly voted to table the issue until next week, so that representatives will have time to look over the proposed resolution and make amendments.
“Hopefully next week there’ll be some productive discussion on what a ‘meaningful and appropriate’ message from the student body would be,” said GUSA president Brian Morgenstern (CAS ‘05).
