Bishop Richard Henning / Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul (Left)
CV NEWS FEED // The Rhode Island Diocese has issued a statement condemning Salve Regina University’s decision to host a fundraiser last week for Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
“The Diocese of Providence does not permit Catholic institutions in Rhode Island to endorse candidates for office nor even give the appearance of such endorsements,” Bishop Richard Henning’s office said in a statement, according to an Aug. 15 report from RINewsToday.
Director of Communications Michael Kieloch added, “We were surprised and disappointed by the decision of Salve Regina University to rent space to a partisan political event and fundraiser. We’ve received a number of messages from Catholics across Rhode Island expressing the same surprise and disappointment.”
RINewsToday pointed out in its report that the University violated its own policies in hosting the event, as the University’s website clearly states that “all private events including fundraisers, receptions and concerts, are expected to complement the character and mission of Salve Regina University.”
Furthermore, as the local outlet reported, the University’s mission statement is explicitly centered on the principles of Catholic social teaching, and more specifically, on the “life and dignity of the human person.”
According to an Aug. 17 Publicitytop report, the fundraiser brought in at least $600,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign. Over 300 Democratic donors attended the event, which had a $1,000 minimum entry fee per person, the report noted.
As CatholicVote previously reported, Walz joined Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign with an exceedingly progressive legislative record on abortion and other issues that directly contradict the Catholic Church’s teachings.
The University defended itself in a statement to RINewsToday, stating that “as an academic institution, the University fully supports freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy.”
“As our mission calls us to do, we support productive and meaningful dialogue across our differences as we work toward a world that is more harmonious, just, and merciful,” the statement continued.
Rhode Island GOP National Committeewoman Sue Cienki called the University’s decision to host the fundraiser “shameful”.
