Thanks for your e-mail. I sent the following e-mail below to Fr. Jenkins' e-mail address listed in your original e-mail. From: Mike Kelly To: cosmer@nd.edu Cc: news@projectsycamore.com ; douglas.kmiec@pepperdine.edu Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 1:19 PM Subject: Vagina Monologues, Gay Film Festival: Ccan Notre Dame ever say No? Dear Fr. Jenkins, I read with deep sadness about the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine cancelling their seminar which was to be held on campus on February 11-13, 2008. When the bishops learned that the Vagina Monologues might be performed, they asked you and Notre Dame to bar its presentation. According to a Committee source, the bishops "did everything they possibly could to come to an agreement with the administration." You and the University nevertheless turned them down, apparently intent on permitting the performance of this hallmark of modern American theater. I never imagined that in my lifetime I would ever consider turning away from my proud connection to Notre Dame, but that day is sadly at hand. You may soon have boxes of N.D. hats, t-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts and other such items arriving at your door, accompanied by a "Thanks, but no" letter from me and my extended family. Fortunately, however, my loyalty lies with Notre Dame, the Catholic university, and not with those of its present faculty and administration who apparently lack the courage of conviction that was so publicly demonstrated by Fr. Hesburgh and others in its storied history. It is one thing to stand for racial equality and against the vile injustice of racism, as Father Ted did in the past. It is quite another to capitulate to the agenda of the morally bankrupt in the name of "intellectual freedom," or whatever the justification is for permitting plays and film festivals on Notre Dame's campus that are utterly antithetical to Catholic moral teaching. Many learned and Catholic Notre Dame parents, students, faculty and alumni are beginning to see the peril facing the University as it lurches leftward into the realm where apparently "anything goes." Some of these people even contribute great sums of money to the school and its endowment(s). What are they to think when Catholic bishops refuse to set foot on campus in response to the Administration's refusal to bar a play with highly objectionable content? If the University wants sex, let it turn to Shakespeare, Hemingway or our dear St. Augustine. Pornography need not be a part of Notre Dame's curriculum, whether thinly disguised or flagrant, "soft" or "hard core." If it's a fight the present administration of the University wants, I am a sure it is finding one. There is more fighting to come. Our alma mater did not adopt its nickname out of thin air, after all. I implore you to take a courageous stand against worldly "values" and uphold the moral values laid down by Our Lord. I urge you to bar the presentation of "The Vagina Monologues" and other such fare from the campus of Our Lady's University. Jesus did not tell the Woman at the Well, "Go and give monologues about your vagina and its exploits to all who will listen." He told her to stop her sin. Christ, no doubt a lover of sinful and broken men, nevertheless repeatedly implored us to repent, to sin no more and to (strive to) be perfect, as Our Heavenly Father is perfect. Notre Dame has a special mission and a holy obligation to uphold and defend the Catholic faith and to avoid bringing scandal. I trust you will use the full power of your office and act accordingly. Sincerely, Michael S. Kelly, Notre Dame Law School Class of 1991