PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The provost of Providence College issued a statement explaining why he canceled a lecture by a philosophy professor from Wayne State University in support of same-sex marriage.
Hugh F. Lena, provost and senior vice-presideent of the college, said the nature of marriage is a matter about which our faculty has academic freedom.
"The incident in question is thus not really about academic freedom, but rather goes to the meaning of being a Catholic college. Should a Catholic college invite an outside speaker to campus, pay that person an honorarium, and give that person an unchallenged platform from which to present arguments designed to undermine a central tenet of the Catholic faith?"
Lena said his interpretation is in accord with that of the United States Bishops Conference, which has asked Catholic institutions not to provide honors or platforms for
speakers who advocate for positions inconsistent with Church teaching.
It is important to note that Providence College had originally agreed to host this speaker
in tandem with another well-known philosopher for a two-sided debate of the issue of gay
marriage, Lena said.
"We believe that this kind of free and fair discussion of both sides of a controversial
issue would be beneficial to our community. The event was canceled only when it became clear that this would not be the case. We would welcome a real debate about this issue on our campus and look forward to hosting an academic event that comports with our mission."
John Corvino, chairman of the philosophy department at Wayne State University, in Detroit, was to speak at the school Thursday. According to the New York Times, Corvino has spoken previously at more than 10 Catholic colleges and often appears in friendly debates with religious opponents of gay marriage.
The cancellation was announced by Lena on Saturday, one day after the publication of an interview in which Pope Francis called for the church to "find a new balance" by refraining from frequent condemnations of homosexuality, abortion and birth control, and emphasizing mercy and love, the newspaper reports.
In his email announcing the cancellation, Lena cited a document produced by American bishops in 2004, "Catholics in Political Life," to support his decision, the Times reports. And he said college policy "dictates that that both sides of a controversial issue are to be presented fairly and equally."