The nation's largest Catholic University now has its first openly gay student body president. DePaul University senior, Anthony Alfano, was elected to the post in May, and "came out" last week in the student newspaper. The university supports him. Why did he choose to go public? And when Catholic teachings declare homosexuality to be a sin, how can a Catholic University not condemn him? Alfano joins us on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm. Read the following statements regarding the issue.
DePaul University’s official statement:
“DePaul University is a diverse place that welcomes people of all races, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations. Anthony made a courageous personal decision to discuss his sexuality with the university's student newspaper. Anthony is a remarkable young man and student leader, and we hope that his candor helps other young people facing these issues to feel comfortable discussing their orientation with family and friends.”
Mary Anne Hackett, President and CEO of Catholic Citizens of Illinois:
“DePaul has had many events celebrating homosexuality in recent years so it is not surprising that they would support the idea of a homosexual student body president. I think it’s wrong. Homosexuality is against the teachings of the Church. St. Vincent DePaul would be rolling over in his grave. DePaul is clearly not operating as a Catholic University.:
Archdiocese of Chicago:
“A Catholic university, like the Catholic Church, welcomes everyone, inviting each person to conversion of mind and heart. In an article published in the Windy City Times, Anthony Alfano said, ‘I believed, because the Catholic Church was preaching against being gay, that something was wrong with me and that I was inevitably going to hell.’ The Catechism of the Catholic Church urges that homosexual persons, ‘be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.’ The Church also teaches that no one, homosexual or heterosexual, ‘inevitably’ goes to hell. It is a matter of choice.”
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God accepts all of his children
God accepts all of his children as he created them. Anthony is brave and strong and I am proud that he is able to come out and be a positive role model for other people who struggle with this prejudice. Children and adults should not be made to feel like they are wrong because of how they were born, for any reason. As a Catholic, I am embarrassed and sad that there are Catholic people who go against God's teachings and waste so much time and money trying to prove that something is wrong that doesn't even affect them. Love thy neighbor. May he who is without sin, cast the first stone. We do not have the right to judge any other person. God teaches us love compassion. It is as simple as that.
Good stuff, DePaul & Anthony! Go back to your hole, Mary.
As a recent grad, I'm proud of DePaul's diversity and acceptance. It's a true service-based university and I am ecstatic that they've chosen a path to separate themselves from the bigotry-filled trenches (read: strict catholic groups) that people like Mary Hackett belong to.
Insulting an extremely good university for having the sense and compassion to realize and reveal that a person, homosexual or not, is a person makes me wish I was never baptized as a Catholic. I honestly believe in God and in the teachings of the church for the betterment of people and society. I DON'T believe that frightened, small-minded, angry people like Mary who live in a constant state of "who can I put down next" should be thought of when pondering the teachings of Catholicism. I'm not saying that it's not this way in the broader church either, just that there can be great religious institutions (DePaul) and crappy people that by default, belong to the same religion. I know... there's lots of them. Thanks, Mary, you disrespectful shell of a person, for being one of those crappy ones. May God have mercy on your soul. Go Anthony.
Hey student body President,
Hey student body President, can you pay attention to the needs of the music students and get us some decent practice rooms? Thanks.
I could not be more proud of
I could not be more proud of Anthony or DePaul University right now. Go Blue Demons!
Anthony Alfano has been
Anthony Alfano has been recognized by his peers as a student leader on the DePaul Univeristy campus. Hearing his story, it is not difficult to see why. He is firmly grounded, responsible, upstanding and sincere--no doubt resulting in part from a thoughtful and lengthy processing of his life's experiences. He is making GOOD choices.
For every Anthony in our society, there are thousands more just like him, young people that others look up to for all the right reasons. Who, then, are those who would derail them? And, why? Search your hearts, those of you who judge, condemn or just don't know. To my fellow Catholics who would pass judgement(and to Mary Hackett in particular), I ask, Have you been paying attention to the Mass readings lately?
For those of you who are unable or unwilling to accept, I ask that you personalize this question once posed by Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn: At what age were YOU, exactly, when YOU made the decision, the conscious choice, between being heterosexual and homosexual?
Anthony Alfano, I applaud you with all my heart! I rejoice in people such as yourself! God bless you!
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Another video that doesn't play, hate the html, go back to flash it worked
Anthony Alfano Article and Reactions
First and foremost....Congratulations Anthony! Anthony is the cousin of my wife and he is family. I have had the pleasure of getting to know him as well as the entire family over the past several years. As the brother of a gay man I am happy to hear that someone is trying to make a positive change for themselves and others. No need to live a life that is not your own. Showing other people, especially the youth who struggle with this, is commendable. The youth who struggle with this should be enjoying their teenage years with happy memories...not frightened by what other people will think. As a Catholic...the church leadership needs to re-read the Bible and follow its own advice. If the Catholic church wants to continue for generations to come then it must CHANGE WITH THE TIMES. The Archdiocese of Chicago had this say..."The Catechism of the Catholic Church urges that homosexual persons, ‘be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity". Throughout history the same has been said of lepers. People are people...no matter what. My belief is this....God will make final judgments on us all. People lead our Church here on Earth and at the end of the day they are people just like us. Good, bad or indifferent...we all have flaws...some of us have decided to change opinions...and become more of an open community of people...who care about each other and allow the same rights (marriage and other sacraments) to all. To Mary Anne Hackett, President and CEO of Catholic Citizens of Illinois: As long as there are people like you in the world who head these organizations...the Catholic church with its ever dwindling congregations will surely come to an end. Thankfully for the rest of us God will always be there. Thanks again Anthony for sharing!
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