Pro-life group at Gonzaga law school denied official status

Published: 2004-01-06

SEATTLE (CNS) -- A pro-life club seeking recognition at a Catholic university is not normally the subject of media attention. But the Student Bar Association at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane has drawn newspaper headlines and the ire of an educational rights organization over its decision to deny official status to a newly formed pro-life group because its leadership requirements exclude non-Christians. The Pro-Life Caucus, founded last fall by two second-year law school students to oppose abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide, was denied recognition by the Student Bar Association as a university-sponsored group because the group's leadership positions are limited to Christians -- although people of other religions are welcome as members. The university's administration backs the Student Bar Association's decision because of the discriminatory element, but supports the group's purpose, said Dale Goodwin, Gonzaga public relations director, in a telephone interview with The Catholic Northwest Progress, Seattle archdiocesan newspaper.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .