{"id":139446,"date":"2023-12-22T08:59:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T13:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/?p=139446"},"modified":"2023-12-22T13:35:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T18:35:16","slug":"catholic-womens-college-reverses-course-wont-admit-men-who-identify-as-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/catholic-womens-college-reverses-course-wont-admit-men-who-identify-as-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Catholic women’s college reverses course, won’t admit men ‘who identify as women’"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘We have listened closely, and we have heard each of you’<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A Catholic women’s college in Indiana will drop its plan to admit men “who identify as women,” following significant backlash.<\/p>\n

Saint Mary’s College changed<\/a> its admissions policy for the 2024-25 semester to include students \u201cwhose sex is female or who consistently live and identify as women,” but then faced criticism from students, alumni, and the local bishop.<\/p>\n

President Katie Conboy announced yesterday the college would reverse its decision.<\/p>\n

“This has weighed heavily on our minds and in our hearts,\u201d she wrote in the email, obtained<\/a> by\u00a0The Daily Signal<\/em>. \u201cThere have been many voices responding to us from many places and perspectives. We have listened closely, and we have heard each of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conboy wrote further:<\/p>\n

Some worried that this was much more than a policy decision: they felt it was a dilution of our mission or even a threat to our Catholic identity. Moreover, we clearly underestimated our community\u2019s genuine desire to be engaged in the process of shaping a policy of such significance. As this last month unfolded, we lost people\u2019s trust and unintentionally created division where we had hoped for unity. For this, we are deeply sorry.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The decision came after students met with Conboy. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend also met with President Conboy last week.<\/p>\n

The bishop previously criticized the school’s decision, made without his consultation.<\/p>\n

“It is disappointing that I, as bishop of the diocese in which Saint Mary\u2019s College is located, was not included or consulted on a matter of important Catholic teaching,” Rhoades previously wrote.<\/p>\n

“Bishops have a particular responsibility to \u2018promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening\u2019 of the Catholic identity of the Catholic colleges and universities in their diocese,” he wrote<\/a>, citing a papal document that instructs bishops to ensure schools in their jurisdiction remain faithful.<\/p>\n

After the meeting, Conboy sent out an email, reviewed by\u00a0The Fix<\/em>, that appeared to hold to the new transgender policy that has since been dropped.<\/p>\n

The school’s “identity” as a “Catholic women’s college” “must never change,” Conboy wrote on Dec. 13.<\/p>\n

She however added her support for LGBTQ people.<\/p>\n

“I want to express my emphatic support for all members of our queer, non-binary, and trans communities. Our College is better and stronger because you are here!”<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/strong> I’m a new graduate. Here’s why I chose a small Catholic college<\/a><\/p>\n

IMAGE: Saint Mary’s College\/Facebook<\/p>\n

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