A Statement Regarding Ready to Run

A Statement Regarding Ready to Run By
Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.,
President of the University

The University of Scranton is part of a national network of institutions offering the Ready to Run program. Our workshop on January 28 is open to men and women throughout the region. This non-partisan and non-ideological program gives women the tools they need to run for political office.

In recent days, questions have surfaced about the pro-abortion views of one of the speakers, Marjorie Margolies. Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, asked the University to withdraw its invitation to Ms. Margolies. The University has decided to move forward with the program as planned. Speakers for this University event are experts chosen to provide women with information about the challenges of politics; they are not chosen to engage in a discussion of abortion. By inviting these speakers to campus, the University is not endorsing their personal views.

As Catholic and Jesuit, the University treasures its relationship with the Diocese of Scranton and with Bishop Bambera. We are saddened that any action on our part might in some way compromise this relationship. This is especially true given that we, like Bishop Bambera, strongly oppose the pro-abortion views of Ms. Margolies.