July 31, 2008

 

President Robert Bruininks,

University of Minnesota

600 East 4th Street

Morris, Minnesota 56267

 

Dear Dr. Bruininks,

 

I am writing regarding the public desecration of the Eucharist by Dr. Paul Myers.  Even though I am not a resident of Minnesota, I have a right and responsibility to protest his action because the University of Minnesota does receive federal funds.  I am concerned not only that Professor Myers did something unspeakably offensive to Catholics, but that a university official defended his action by saying it was part of his “academic freedom.”

 

It is hard to come up with an adequate comparison, but I must ask:  If a University of Minnesota professor painted a swastika on a synagogue or burned a cross in a black neighborhood, would you consider that simply an act of academic freedom?  I don’t think so.  You would judge that he is ineligible to teach at a state university because he clearly could not treat Jewish or black students in a fair manner.  Professor Myers action shows that he is incapable of fair treatment toward Catholic students.  As Catholics we believe that the Eucharist is more precious than all our buildings and bank accounts.

 

Professor Myer’s desecration of the Eucharist involved an act of theft.  For someone to take the Eucharist and use it for an unholy purpose is a terrible violation.  Does the University of Minnesota wish to teach its students that acts of theft and violation are simply part of academic freedom?

 

I thank you, Dr. Bruininks, for your consideration of this serious matter.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Fr. Phillip Bloom

Pastor

 

Cc: Archbishop Brunett

Bishop John F. Kinney

Rev. Tim Baltes