Students, alumnae call on administration to defend unborn life

The annual Respect Life week at Saint Mary’s College (SMC), sponsored by the student group Belles For Life, began on October 26. The weeklong celebration of life consisted of events such as a prayer vigil, a “chalk the campus,” and speakers promoting the pro-life message.

However, three days after the events concluded, on October 29, the Feminists United student group placed 1,852 unmarked red flags on the library green to represent the services provided by Planned Parenthood.

“Each flag represented 10 services provided by Planned Parenthood that are not related to abortions or contraceptive services,” said Stephanie Szymas, Vice President of Feminists United.

Fact sheets with information about Planned Parenthood services were distributed by SMC faculty and Feminist United members. The handouts were permitted because they were not deemed “advocacy” pieces, but were considered by the college to be factual information on STI treatments, cancer screenings, and prenatal services, despite the inclusion of controversial contraceptive services Planned Parenthood provides.

Those who saw the flags were confused about the college’s intent in permitting the display.  Within 12 hours of the display’s initiation, news reached beyond the SMC and Notre Dame community and spread across the country.

The following day, the Planned Parenthood Action (PPA) page on Facebook highlighted the story and congratulated SMC’s Feminists United on their public show of support.  The PPA post called the display a “beautiful art installation” and “a response to their school being pressured by anti-abortion activists to stop working with Planned Parenthood.”

The day after the display went up, an SMC student contacted Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend about the incident.  

Bishop Rhoades offered support for students who were upset with the display, encouraged them to speak up, and called on SMC to “stand in solidarity with the U.S. bishops in our opposition to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion network.”

Saint Mary’s College did not issue a statement about the occurrence until almost a week after the display was erected.  On November 4, Karen Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs at SMC, emailed the student body in the first official communication regarding the display. Johnson’s statement asserted that the display was not in violation of three primary guidelines.

According to the email, these guidelines were:

“Guideline 1: Education at Saint Mary’s includes examining and critically evaluating controversial issues from many perspectives. Saint Mary’s supports a long and revered tradition of open dialogue and free access to information. …

“Guideline 2: At a Catholic institution, activities that advocate and support Catholic teachings are appropriate and welcome. …

“Guideline 3: It is inappropriate for Saint Mary’s College student clubs and organizations to advocate for or support organizations, agencies or groups that act contrary to Church teachings or to sponsor events that advocate positions contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

The following day, a second statement was released to the student body by SMC President Carol Ann Mooney. In her email, she offered assurance that the college has remained faithful to its Catholic mission and identity.

Mooney stated that Feminists United initially was turned down by the Student Affairs Office when the group requested permission for the pro-Planned Parenthood display. However, Mooney explained, after extensive discussion, compromises and stipulations were agreed upon that allowed for public celebration of Planned Parenthood services.

According to her email, the school allowed the display because of its twofold effect: following school guidelines while simultaneously educating the student body.

On October 30, before these two official statements were released, pro-life students at SMC created an online petition entitled “No more celebration of Planned Parenthood at Saint Mary’s College.”

The petition calls upon the administration to uphold the Catholic mission of the college and ensure that similar events clearly in violation of Church teaching will not occur on campus in the future. It has since garnered the attention of SMC families and a number of alumnae who have expressed concern and frustration both over display and the school’s response. As of November 11, the petition had 798 signatures.

One SMC student, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Rover, “I refuse to live in a society where we choose what life is precious and what isn’t. We’re told fetuses don’t matter, people with disabilities don’t matter, the elderly don’t matter, people of color don’t matter. It’s very easy to discount the lives of others, but I refuse to.”

Deidre O’Leary is a senior studying religious and global studies, and Mary Robin is a senior studying nursing. Contact Deidre at dolear01@saintmarys.edu and Mary at mrobin02@saintmarys.edu.