
Bishop Conley on University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Mocking Catholic Mass - The website the College Fix reported on the performance on May 30. The LGBT demonstration was held at a local Lutheran church.
Bishop James Conley’s Statement on University of Nebraska-Lincoln Student Mocking Catholic Mass - 06/24/25
The recent report that a University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctoral student produced an orchestrated drag performance mocking the Catholic Mass is both disturbing and appalling. Such a blatant public display of faith-based discrimination that led to the student earning a doctorate degree reflects poorly on the University of Nebraska, its faculty and our community.
Quite honestly, our Nebraska community is better than that. There is no redeeming value in such a display of ignorance. Such discrimination would not be tolerated if directed at other religions, so why is it tolerated if the target is the Catholic faith? It’s offensive and should be condemned by the University, not applauded or rewarded. Education should strive for the true, the good and the beautiful -- not lies, evil and ugliness.
I call on the University of Nebraska to do more than ignore such a vile display of hatred. Have the courage to stand up and declare your institution will not tolerate or reward such inappropriate behavior and take action against the faculty who encouraged it.
As Christians, we will live boldly for our faith and our God. St. Francis of Assisi’s words ring true in such times. “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” May the University of Nebraska and all institutions of higher learning enlighten their students with true wisdom and lead them out of intellectual darkness. We must seek truth not in the world, but in Jesus Christ. “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Bishop James D. Conley
Catholic Diocese of Lincoln
https://www.lincolndiocese.org/bishops/bishop-james-conley/statements/18892-bishop-james-conley-s-statement-on-university-of-nebraska-lincoln-student-mocking-catholic-mass
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