Catholic Professor Finally Reinstated at U of I after Massive Student Outcry |
| By TFP Student Action |
| July 31, 2010 |
Peaceful protest achieves yet another victory
According to a July 29 press report by the Alliance Defense Fund, the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana confirmed that it will once again allow Dr. Kenneth Howell to teach on Catholicism after recently firing him for explaining Catholic moral doctrine to members of his class.
“I have been offered to teach one course in the Fall and to be paid directly by the University,” wrote Dr. Howell. “I would like to thank you all for the support you have offered me during this difficult time. Our family has been greatly encouraged by the concern and prayers of so many people. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.”
Prof. Howell, who had been teaching at the university since 2001, was relieved of his teaching duties based in part on an anonymous complaint sent via e-mail to university officials. The author of the email claimed to be “offended” by a class discussion on Catholic doctrine that explained why homosexual behavior is morally wrong.
“This shocking attempt to silence Dr. Howell is really an attempt to silence the truth,” said TFP Student Action director John Ritchie. “And when the truth is effectively muzzled in the halls of academia, then academic freedom is dead.”
The Power of Peaceful Protest
Once again, peaceful protest proved to be effective. At least 10,700 TFP Student Action members and subscribers contacted the University of Illinois, urging its president to reinstate Dr. Howell.
Thousands of students and alumni rallied together, prayed, placed phone calls, wrote letters, chalked campus sidewalks, and sent emails. In no time, a “Save Dr. Ken” facebook page gathered over 9,000 members. And attorneys at Alliance Defense Fund prepared to take legal action.
Although the university offered to allow Dr. Howell to return to the classroom, the issue is not completely resolved. The university stated in a letter that it would continue its investigation of Dr. Howell’s situation. Therefore, TFP Student Action will remain vigilant and inform its members about any important developments or further need for action.
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| A special thanks to everyone -- 10,700 people -- who asked the U of I to reinstate Dr. Howell. |
“I have been offered to teach one course in the Fall and to be paid directly by the University,” wrote Dr. Howell. “I would like to thank you all for the support you have offered me during this difficult time. Our family has been greatly encouraged by the concern and prayers of so many people. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.”
Prof. Howell, who had been teaching at the university since 2001, was relieved of his teaching duties based in part on an anonymous complaint sent via e-mail to university officials. The author of the email claimed to be “offended” by a class discussion on Catholic doctrine that explained why homosexual behavior is morally wrong.
“This shocking attempt to silence Dr. Howell is really an attempt to silence the truth,” said TFP Student Action director John Ritchie. “And when the truth is effectively muzzled in the halls of academia, then academic freedom is dead.”
The Power of Peaceful Protest
Once again, peaceful protest proved to be effective. At least 10,700 TFP Student Action members and subscribers contacted the University of Illinois, urging its president to reinstate Dr. Howell.
Thousands of students and alumni rallied together, prayed, placed phone calls, wrote letters, chalked campus sidewalks, and sent emails. In no time, a “Save Dr. Ken” facebook page gathered over 9,000 members. And attorneys at Alliance Defense Fund prepared to take legal action.
Although the university offered to allow Dr. Howell to return to the classroom, the issue is not completely resolved. The university stated in a letter that it would continue its investigation of Dr. Howell’s situation. Therefore, TFP Student Action will remain vigilant and inform its members about any important developments or further need for action.
Comments
Thanks be to God*
Alleluiah!(3x)
Thank God, HE is still in control and helped the officials @ U of I to see the truth.
God bless all.
Viva Cristo Rey y que la Virgen Maria Santisimaa nos proteja con su Pureza y su manto!
Being from the Diocese of Peoria this would not be the first if I may say a bone headed move has been made. I think we as a Diocese need to get back to the basics and look back at our past. As a young person people are shock when I talk about the Tridentine Mass and tradition. The fact of the matter is the younger people are the ones who are being drawn to Traditionalism. We have been fed lies by society through materialism, commercialism, and the progressive movement. Now we are looking for some truth and real leadership.
Praise be Jesus and Mary forever.
God bless Dr. Howell. He is still walking in the valley of the shadow of evil, as we all are in this world. But, we know God wins in the end.
Remember those who came before us and for thousands of years did the right things. Why live if one is to cower to the evil ones.
I kept hammering him with the star chamber style of legal proceedings the university indulged in to fire Prof. Howell. The charges were anonymous, filed via email and the professor never had a chance to face his accuser.
The Star Chamber action of fire him, then find a charge to levy, is typical of the efforts of the PC left. The PC Left's object is to squash free thought, free speech and the rights of any person who does not agree with their point.
I am glad that public pressure caused the change in process.
Bravo for the professeur!!!!
Christ's truth has already won. The demons just persist because they can't turn back as we can.
D. Antoni
G.K. Chesterton once opined that, "These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own."
Let's keep up the good fight and stand up for those who express their faith unabashedly and without fear!
I will not share my personal opinion based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, I will just ask the question.