The following is a press release from the Catholic Action League, condemning a deal between Boston College and Victoria’s Secret:
The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts today criticized Jesuit administered Boston College for entering into a business relationship with Victoria’s Secret, the self-described distributor of the “world’s sexiest brands” in women’s lingerie, sleepwear and swimsuits. The merchandising arrangement, which allows Victoria’s Secret to sell university themed clothing at thirty-three stores, was disclosed in a story by reporter Christine McConville in this morning’s Boston Herald.
The Catholic Action League called the deal “disgraceful and appalling, but not surprising.”
Catholic Action League Executive Director C.J. Doyle stated: “As a nominally Catholic institution, Boston College has unconditionally surrendered to secular culture. Instead of upholding Catholic standards of decency, purity and modesty, BC has decided to make money by striking a deal with a company which distributes salacious clothing and which, in its advertising, openly appeals to prurient interests. At Boston College, Catholic principles always seem to come in a poor second to university marketing and fundraising.”
“This also reveals a callous contempt for Catholic sensibilities and a complete indifference to what remains of the university’s Catholic identity. At a time when our society is immersed in sensuality, a commercial agreement between a Catholic university and a company like Victoria’s Secret is offensive to Christian values and sends the wrong message to Boston College students. BC alumni and Catholic donors need to make known their revulsion at this outrage to university President Reverend William P. Leahy, SJ. The larger and enduring issue here is why the Society of Jesus, its New England Province, and the Archdiocese of Boston continue to tolerate the unrelenting scandals of Boston College.”
Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle is an alumnus of Boston College.
