Bishop David Ricken Criticizes Selection of Gloria Steinem as Catholic College Speaker

Gloria Steinem won’t be speaking about abortion when she visits the campus of St. Norbert College this spring, but that doesn’t make her visit any less problematic to Bishop David Ricken, bishop of Green Bay.  In a written statement, Bishop Ricken said,

“Really, she doesn’t need to. Her whole career and life is a grand affirmation of the pro-abortion movement. These types of approaches are outdated, tired and confusing ways to approach these issues, especially given the fact that the Catholic Church has new approaches to women’s issues that are fresh, life-giving and highly respectful of the human person.”

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Steinem will accompany feminist social activist bell hooks to campus.  Hooks is conducting a week-long series of talks on topics including the theology of love and radical hospitality, community building and racial inequality.  As part of that series, Steinem will speak on the history of the women’s movement.

Bishop Ricken has urged top leaders at the Catholic college to reconsider the invitation, in light of Steinem’s views as a radical supporter of pro-abortion rights. He said in his written statement,

“Even though Gloria Steinem has appeared at St. Norbert College before my time as the bishop of this diocese, and acknowledging that she has appeared at other Catholic colleges and universities, I do not approve of the appearance of Gloria Steinem at St. Norbert College. I have conveyed my strong disapproval to the abbot, the president of the college and the chair of the board.”

Thank you, Bishop Ricken, for your defense of Life, and for your clear teaching regarding the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception.