Free Speech at HACS: Platitude or Reality?

 Dear readers:

The right to free speech is enshrined in the First Amendment in our Bill of Rights.  This is not the freedom to say whatever we want to say, but rather, the freedom to speak the truth without the fear of reprisals from the government or any private organization.

Thus, I can legitimately call into question the orthodoxy of the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., and ask why a supposedly faithful Catholic university uses the title “pastor” for a female Protestant cleric.  Or can I?

At HACS, I expected a good learning experience.  I was looking for a good education, based on Catholic tradition and dogma.  I really enjoyed all the classes I took, despite the presence of a rather confrontational and aggressive student in a couple of my classes, and a touchy Catechism professor.

I decided to start an extra-curricular discussion group with some of my faithful classmates, so we could have discussions about the pertinent political and religious topics of the day (some of which was shut down by the aforementioned touchy professor).  Unfortunately, the college administration shut me out of the group and tried to reprimand one of my fellow moderators.

News flash: facts don’t care about your feelings!  Wilton Gregory is a disgrace to the Catholic Church and to the priesthood, and no female cleric should have her status legitimized at a Newman Guide Recommended Catholic university!  There is no beating around the bush.  Truth is black and white.  Here is the email I received:

“Good afternoon, Michael, 

You've recently made two inappropriate posts in The Philosophy Roundtable group. 

On November 26, you called out a current student for public ridicule based on her ministerial title in the denomination of which she's a member. On November 29, you called out a current archbishop for public ridicule based on his receiving a new title. These two actions are inappropriate within a student community discussion group because of their hurtful nature. 

The consequence of your actions is that you are hereby removed from all student groups through the duration of your time in our program.”

This is ridiculous.  Obviously, somebody in the administration is a leftist and gets offended when the truth is presented in an unadulterated manner. This is not a healthy environment for a faithful Catholic.  While I do not back down from any fight regarding faith and freedom, I feel as though my college years would be better spent seeking education, rather than fighting all the time.  Oh, and the administration also conveniently deleted the discussion threads, which would have proved, beyond any reasonable doubt, that I did not at all call out the figures in question for ridicule.  I challenge the administration to prove that was my intent.  Don’t hold your breath.  

I have left HACS and am continuing my education at Ave Maria University.  This fight is not over, and I will never back down from the truth.