Shock therapy for freshmen at St. Thomas shockingly trite

by Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune, Minneapolis

Nov. 8--The University of St. Thomas' latest attempt at freshman shock therapy is in full swing. The vehicle is the school's "common text" -- a book, chosen annually, that all freshman English students must read and discuss.

If you've ever wondered where the idea comes from that colleges and universities have become liberal indoctrination camps, well, it comes from rituals like this.

As usual, this year's common text isn't a literary classic by a Dead White Male. It's "The Handmaid's Tale," an ideologically freighted polemic by feminist novelist Margaret Atwood.

Here's a summary: Right-wing Christian fanatics have taken over America and imposed a theocratic state. Women are virtual slaves, the continent is awash in pollution, abortionists are executed. Many fertile women must become "handmaids" -- reproductive machines -- who are compelled to breed with male "Commanders."The Handmaid's Tale" portrays the dominant Christian culture of the future as totalitarian and consumed with hatred toward women. The book includes graphic scenes of sexual abuse.

[snip]

For decades, the archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has led the university's board, automatically serving as chair. The incoming archbishop, John Nienstedt, has a reputation for orthodoxy and might be expected to exert his influence now.

And here comes a tactic employed by the board members of St Stanislaus some years back to exclude the Archbishop from the board:

On Oct. 25, they effectively bumped the incoming archbishop from the board. They did so by voting to eliminate ex officio members, and then inviting back as individuals those -- such as retiring Archbishop Harry Flynn -- who have not interfered in the past with the institution's leftward tilt.

St. Thomas spokesman Doug Hennes says the bylaws change has been under discussion for several years, and is unrelated to Nienstedt's appointment...

Sounds so familiar. There are good Catholic colleges and universities (click here for more information).

Barbara Kralis writes:

St. Thomas is trying to pull a fast one on a Bishop whom they know will "right the ship". Please get the article and disseminate and then pray pray pray. This not only affects the college but the seminary where the Bishop has the right to determine rector and faculty. A shrewd liberal tactic for sure. Anyway Flynn is with the school and is privy to their shenanigans and is also part and parcel of the decision. Nienstedt needs lots of prayers for an afternoon meeting today, Nov. 8th.

Keep this situation in your prayers if you can...there is no end, it seems, to the corruption taking place in so called Catholic colleges...

HT to Darla for the tip!