Trust me when I say there is no satisfaction in revealing your abuser. It doesn’t matter if it’s a stranger, a boyfriend, a friend, a parent, a relative… it doesn’t matter what kind of abuse. No one believes you. That’s hyperbolic. There are some who believe. Mostly, the group of believers is made up of other abuse victims, relieved to find out they aren’t the only ones who are haunted by these experiences. But there’s a lot of... Read more
Conservative Franciscan graduate shares his concern and disillusionment I have debated how to speak about the recent controversies involving Franciscan University and sexual misconduct for some time now, owing to the complexity of my relationship with the University. For a few years, I worked in local government in Jefferson County, and my position made it inappropriate for me to publicly delve into the issue. Nor am I someone who has any level of expertise in the fields that deal... Read more
A child-victim of sexual assault opens up about the recent Title IX controversy at FUS As a student at Franciscan University, it’s impossible for me to ignore what is going on, especially because the conversation is centered around sexual assault which is something I have been subjected to in my past. When I met Marie, months ago, I could have never imagined that she would be the person who would allow me to share my story with whoever... Read more
This post is hard to write. I’m not exactly sure how to write it, because doing so is sure to hurt someone, and I don’t want that to happen. And someone will tell me I am committing detraction, and I don’t want that on my conscience, either. And I shouldn’t be writing this right now anyway since I have two-thirds a semester worth of Spanish homework waiting for me. But I just read Maria Mochow’s piece “Advice from... Read more
As y’all know, I’ve been pretty silent these last few weeks. I certainly haven’t forgotten this dialogue space, and I’ve missed it. But Life and Adulting and Reality are making a valiant effort to kill me, I’m convinced of it. (Whom does one contact when these entities are making violent attempts against one’s life? Why isn’t that covered in Adulting 101? Actually, why isn’t there an Adulting 101?) In the midst of this attempt on my... Read more
Students ask for answers Yesterday I sat outside the JC Williams Center (basically, the student union for those of you unfamiliar with the campus) with a respected friend, helping him ask students for signatures on a petition he had written to Franciscan’s Student Government. I was impressed by his petition: it was charitable, calm, and rooted in a desire for transparency and justice. I am grateful I had this opportunity to connect... Read more
As most of you probably know, I’m a month away from graduating with my bachelor’s degree in English writing from Franciscan University, and this final charge at assignments has been grueling. With assignments, finding a summer internship, prepping for Spain this fall, and doing taxes for the first time, I’ve had little time to write. So my gifted friends have written some brilliant guest posts to fill in for me as I juggle the rest of my life right... Read more
The last time that I was at confession, I had to confess that I had missed Sunday Mass. The priest that I saw asked me if it had been deliberate on my part. I told him that it had been. What I didn’t tell him was that it was because I believe in the sanctity of human life. The sanctity of human life. I have a love/hate relationship with that phrase. What it means, actually means, is one... Read more
A few weeks ago I was at Sunday morning Mass. As per my usual, I was reading Jessica Mesman Griffith’s Love& Salt, distracting myself from the liturgy. Until I caught a snippet of the homily. “Job despairs because he lost sight of his mission.” Um…….No. Job despairs because, according to all appearances, God abandoned him. And, honestly, is that not what happened? Job was a righteous man, and yet God allowed the Accuser to destroy all... Read more
I do have a basis for this. Anyone who’s had exposure to the Gospels has heard “…and Jesus went to [insert some location here] by himself to pray” multiple times. He gathered energy for his Passion by praying in the Garden of Gethsemane away from the disciples. He spent 40 days in the wilderness by himself, for goodness’ sake. I’m a student at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and I’ve almost finished my fourth and final year. And... Read more
The Shoeless Banshee: Meanderings Beyond the Pale
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