Gonzaga Alumni Fight Tutu Speech

Gonzaga University, like many religious academic institutions, see-saws in perpetual tension between its Catholic tradition and its broad academic focus. Is it okay for the school to perform the Vagina Monologues ? Have a pro-life club on campus ? Have a non-Jesuit president ? If you thought the selection of Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Nobel peace laureate, apartheid-toppler, preacher against injustice and for forgiveness) commencement speaker, would avoid that sort of tension, apparently, you thought wrong. Now, Tutu’s the subject of a critical petition from a few Gonzaga alumni. First came a blog from the Cardinal Newman Society – a group with the goal to “help renew and strengthen Catholic identity in Catholic higher education” – which takes this angle on the story: “Gonzaga to Honor Pro-Abortion Rights Archbishop Desmond Tutu” / Daniel Walters , Inlander. More here. (Inlander photo)

Question: Do you see a problem with Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu speaking at Gonzaga’s commencement exercise this year?