Viewpoints Article

When we approved of a reading of "The Vagina Monologues" in January, we recommended the organizers add a theologian to the panel who would represent Catholic teaching. In other words, we wanted someone who could discuss why a number of Catholic officials and groups believe the monologues are offensive.

We still agree with the reading's presence on campus, but with just more than two weeks left until the April 14 performance, there is no Catholic representative yet. Alongside three faculty members from political science, philosophy and English, the panel includes Rosalind Hinton, an assistant professor of religious studies at DePaul University, according to a flier for the event.

Hinton's specialties, according to the DePaul Web site, include African American religions and gender in American religious contexts. A survey of her writings reveals little, if any, handling of Catholic issues. While it sounds like she would add perspective to this panel, there remains no faculty member, such as a priest or Catholic theologian, to represent Catholic teaching.

As we wrote in January, "if the reading is in opposition to a healthy view of female sexuality, why is this? If it is empowering, how do we understand this vision in terms of our Catholic faith?" We need to adequately represent all perspectives to answer these questions properly.

If the organizers want to find someone to represent Catholic teaching, they could call the Jesuit Residence; the Marquette Jesuit Community is one of nine sponsors of the forum. They could call around to local parishes; certainly someone would be willing to join the panel. There are two weeks left before the panel, and that's more than enough time.

If the organizers are serious about having a true forum, they would find that Catholic authority. If they don't, they will do a major disservice to their audience.

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