The Terrence McNally play about Jesus having sex with the twelve apostles will be performed this summer at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW). Six state senators from Indiana have raised serious questions regarding the propriety of a state-assisted university hosting an anti-Christian play.
Catholic League president, William Donohue, issued the following news release today:
“Here we go again. Taxpaying Christians are asked to support a school that mocks their religion. It matters not a whit that IPFW is not funding ‘Corpus Christi.’ What matters is that this public institution is hosting the play. We applaud the six state senators who have raised objections to this abuse of public financing and urge them to continue their fight.
“In its mission statement, IPFW boasts a commitment to multiculturalism. Indeed, it has an office of Multicultural Services ‘to serve as a support system for African American, Hispanic, Native American, International [and] Asian’ students. In addition, there is an Islamic Student Association on campus and a ‘diversity’ week that teaches students to be tolerant of homosexuals. While some would say this is an example of inclusiveness, it is not: there are no such programs for Christians. Indeed, the fact that IPFW is helping to sponsor Christian bashing belies its multicultural commitment.
“Chancellor Michael Wartell sees the play in terms of academic freedom. But part of his academic responsibilities is the promotion of tolerance for everyone, Christians included. That is why I am asking him to personally sit down with those associated with the play and discuss how hurtful this exercise in free expression really is to Christians. After all, IPFW’s mission statement also mandates that the school strive to ‘reinforce ties to the surrounding community.’ That would seem to include Christians.”
