For immediate release: May 11, 2005
Contact: Rea Howarth 301-699-0042
cell: 301-538-4420, cso@quixote.org

Vatican to Jesuits & Catholics:
“We Know the Truth, and Our Truth Shall Stifle Thee”

With the forced resignation of Rev. Tom Reese, SJ, the well-regarded and cautious editor of America Magazine for seven years, the American Jesuits have sent exactly the wrong signal to Rome's guardians of orthodoxy. They have cooperated with a bullying tactic.

“The efforts by the Vatican to stifle free speech at America Magazine will only embolden attacks on other Catholic publications and educational institutions,” said Rea Howarth, co-director of the Quixote Center and coordinator of the organization's church reform group, Catholics Speak Out.

“If some bishops and Vatican prelates find it uncomfortable to read opposing arguments side by side, could it be because the arguments they prefer seem weak?” asked Howarth. “They are saying: 'We know the truth and our truth shall stifle thee.'”

“Two things are imperative whenever confronting bullying tactics,” Howarth said. “Groups must present a united front, and they must stand up to them. Caving in only emboldens those who use the tactics of domination.”

The Jesuits could have consulted the plucky Erie Benedictines, whose prioress, Sr. Christine Vladimiroff, OSB, stood up to Vatican overseers in 2001, when they ordered her to forbid Sr.Joan Chittister to speak at a conference on women's ordination. Vladimiroff wrote a letter explaining Benedictine discernment and the primacy of conscience in decision-making. Every one of the 135 nuns in the abbey but one signed the letter.

“Any Catholic order or educational institution that finds itself under attack should appeal to the faithful for their help. We will be there for them, if they only will let us know,” Howarth added.

The Quixote Center is a national peace and social justice organization founded in 1976. The Center's Catholics Speak Out program encourages Catholics to speak out for justice in the Roman Catholic Church. To learn more about the Quixote Center's Catholics Speak Out program, visit www.quixote.org/cso.