TEXAS
Houston Chronicle
By Lindsay Ellis Updated Thursday, April 27, 2017
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York since 2009, will speak at the University of St. Thomas in Montrose’s May commencement ceremony despite student calls for the university to reconsider.
Student concerns relate to his role in handling sexual abuse allegations and his reported remarks criticizing same-sex marriage.
A petition calling for the university to cancel the speech brought 100 signatures in the last several days.
University President Robert Ivany said Thursday morning that he does not believe the critical view reflects the general campus opinion. The university’s governing board of directors selected Dolan to speak two years ago in a unanimous decision, he said.
Ivany, who will step down after this semester, plans to meet with graduate student Christina Cochran on Monday to discuss her concerns, he said.
A small group of students is “outraged” by the selection, Cochran said by phone Wednesday.
“In my opinion, this student does not reflect in any way shape or form the attitude of the students of St. Thomas,” he said. He said he will listen to her concerns but that Dolan will speak at commencement.
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