Notre Dame to continue staging of 'The Vagina Monologues'

Published: 2006-04-05

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- The president of the University of Notre Dame has given permission for continued performances on campus of "The Vagina Monologues," a controversial play that explicitly discusses women's sexuality. Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins favored the inclusion of panel discussions after future performances in which Catholic teachings on human sexuality are presented as part of a discussion of the issues in the play. The permission for future performances drew immediate criticism from Bishop John M. D'Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend who said he was "deeply saddened by the decision." He had previously asked that performances be ended. The bishop said he was concerned because he is responsible for "the care of the souls" of the students and "the Catholic identity of Notre Dame" as the university is located in his diocese. Father Jenkins announced his decision in an April 5 statement. The decision was made after a 10-week review of whether the play should continue to be performed annually on campus.

Copyright (c) 2006 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 The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in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 .