Creighton (U) rescinds speaker's invitation (concerned about her views on assisted suicide and abort

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10117585

Published Tuesday | August 28, 2007
Creighton rescinds speaker's invitation
BY VERONICA STICKNEY
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

A best-selling author scheduled to speak in Omaha next month is no longer invited, Creighton University officials said.

Anne Lamott, known for her wit, frankness and spiritual writings, said she received word through her publicist Friday that Creighton was concerned about her views on assisted suicide and abortion.

Creighton officials last week learned of an essay Lamott wrote about helping a friend die who had cancer, said spokeswoman Kathryn Clark. University officials decided her views on the issue were inconsistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, she said.

"We have decided that the key points she makes are in opposition to Catholic teaching," Clark said. "That makes her an inappropriate choice."

Lamott was scheduled for the 18th Annual Women and Health Lecture Series sponsored by the Center for Health Policy and Ethics at Creighton University Medical Center.

She was to speak Sept. 19 in the Joslyn Art Museum's Witherspoon Concert Hall. The hall's 1,000 seats were reserved, and an additional 200 people had signed up to listen in an overflow room, Clark said. The event was to be free.


FULL story at link.

[SharonAnn]

1. I'll be back there for my 40th year reunion that week. I don't support the Church, just my friends.

I haven't been there for about 35 years but some college friends encouraged me to attend so that we can share some personal time together and reminisce about our freshman year when so much happened, 1963-1964. Both sacred and profane happenings: JFK's assassination, the Beatles, the introduction of "Louie, Louie" the quintessential college party song. It was a special year in many ways because of my friends and classmates.

However, the rigidity of the Church and the Church teachings eventually caused me to leave it and all its institutions.

[BOSSHOG]

2. Every effort should be made

to keep people with terminal cancer alive for as long as possible by any means possible so the patient suffers more and more and the family is subject to a greater financial liability. This is all necessary so christians who live thousands of miles away from the patient can feel good about themselves.

Yes, institutes of higher education should censor speakers, thats how are children are educated.