Feminist provocateur Gloria Steinem is still on the circuit at eighty years-old.
And, the Norbertines in De Pere, Wisconsin, find her quite worthy to give a presentation.
I know a little bit about the Norbertines in De Pere, a very comfortable abbey to be sure. An indoor swimming pool and — for those who are really ascetic — a sauna room enhances the ambience. I know this because I heard about it, many years ago, from a friend who spent time at the abbey. (I should add that I do not know if they still have the sauna, what with the admonitions of Pope Francis against clerical luxury.) The abbey also runs a flourishing college, flourishing, not as a producer of stalwart and faithful Catholic men and women, but, a la Jesuit educational institutions, well-oiled and flourishing.
The abbey also proudly promotes the works and lectures of the heretical Father Richard McBrien, O. Praem. And more, they have a monthly ecumenical gig with the all-inclusive Taize hippies; and, for the more focused and spiritually mature, there’s Centering Prayer workshops.
The good Bishop of Green Bay, His Excellency David Ricken, is not impressed by the Steinem invitation. In face, he is livid:
Diocesan website, The Compass: Several months ago, I received many letters, emails, calls and complaints about St. Norbert College’s invitation to Gloria Steinem to give a presentation on their campus. The reason for inviting her, I have been told by college leadership, is to assist them in the discussion of the history of the women’s movement, especially as it may be understood in the context of domestic violence. Domestic violence is becoming a huge problem and, according to research, is almost an epidemic in the United States. I agree that domestic violence is an extremely important topic. Full article is here.
