Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files Folder Title: The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights – Meeting with President 05/13/1983 – Father Virgil Blum (1 of 4) Box: 34
To see more digitized collections visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
WITHDRAWAL SHEET Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name BLACKWELL, MORTON: FILES Withdrawer KDB 61712010 File Folder THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL FOIA RIGHTS - MEETING WITH PRESIDENT 05/13/1983 - F09-0043/0 I FATHER VIRGIL BLUM (I) Box Number 9084 STRAUSS, C 8 DOC Doc Type Document Description No of Doc Date Restrictions NO Pages
NOTES RE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON ND B6 ATTENDEES
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
8-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA] 8-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA] 8-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA] 8-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA] 8-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA] 8-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA] 8-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(B) of the FOIA] 8-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift. 4 •
\ ,..
~~M-~tl /~=~~6 d2-0r::J1.- .
------
------~- THE WHITE HOUSE
May 10, 1983
MEETING WITH FATHER VIRGIL BLUM, S.J.
DATE: May 13, 1983 LOCATION: Oval Office TIME: 2 P .M.
FROM: Faith Ryan Whittlesey
I. PURPOSE
Presentation of the John Paul II Religious Freedom Award to you and a discussion of the pro-life and tuition tax credits efforts of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
II. BACKGROUND
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is a "grassroots", volunteer, private initiative group with no connection to the "official" Church establishment. The League has 26,000 contributing members and is governed by a largely lay board.
Primarily a civil rights group, like the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith, it stands up for the rights of the co-religionists and against bigotry directed at non-Catholics. Its study of 54 inner city private elementary schools, predominately black and Hispanic, found them providing quality education. Many organizations have used this study in support of tuition tax credits and educational vouchers. The League is celebrating their 10th Anniversary in New York on May 21.
This is the first John Paul II Religious Freedom Award. You are receiving the award in recognition of your active defense of the rights of the unborn child and your strong advocacy for parents' rights for religious freedom in their childrens' education. Others receiving the Award are: Cardinal Cooke of New York Congressman Henry Hyde Mother Angelica (head of a T.V. satellite from Birmingham) Judge Donald Halstead ( a Michigan judge who refused to order a minor girl to have an abortion) Pastor Richard John Neuhaus ( a Lutheran Minister) - 2 -
III. PARTICIPANTS
Father Virgil Blum, S.J., President and Founder of the League Anthony Czajkowski (pronounced Tchaikovsky) Washington Chapter President Ann Brosnan, National Secretary of the League Father Peter Stravinskas, East Coast Regional Director of the League
IV. PRESS PLAN
White House Photographer
V. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
2 P.M. You greet your guests and accept the Award.
2:03 Discussion
2:10 Your guests depart SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS FOR MEETING WITH
FATHER VIRGIL BLUM
I want to thank you for presenting me with the John Paul
II Religious Freedom Award. As one of the first recipients of this award it means a great deal to me and I am very honored to accept it.
Congratulations on your Tenth Anniversary. The Catholic
League has repeatedly demonstrated thoughtful leadership and worked strenuously to strengthen the role of the family in our society and to insure the rights of those with strong spiritual commitment.
I am very interested in the study The League has conducted on the 54 inner city private elementary schools. As you know, we are working hard for the passage of tuition tax credit legislation.
Let me also reaffirm my total commitment to support all the pro-life measures before the Congress. We must continue to keep national attention on the need for a solution to the tragedy of abortion on demand.
Thank you for all your efforts and your continued support. WITHDRAWAL SHEET Ronald Reagan Library
Collection Name Withdrawer BLACKWELL, MORTON: FILES KDB 6/7/2010
File Folder FOIA THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE FOR RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL F09-0043/01 RIGHTS - MEETING WITH PRESIDENT 05/13/1983 - FATHER STRAUSS, C VIRGIL BLUM (1)
Box Number
9084 8
DOC Document Type No of Doc Date Restric- NO Document Description pages tions
1 NOTES 1 ND B6 RE PERSONAL INFORMATION ON ATTENDEES
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
B-1 National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA] B-2 Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA] B-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA] B-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial information [(b)(4) of the FOIA] B-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA] B-7 Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA] B-8 Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA] B-9 Release would disclose geological or geophysical information concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of gift. \ \ \ THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON
June 8, 1983
TO.: _ JAYN STANKOWSKI FROM: MAISELLE SHORTLEY
Will you please send me one copy of photo# 13 MY 83 14581 09A and two copies of #13 MY83 14582 14?
Please send them to me in room 191.
Thank you for your help.
110?$1 - 094 ~ Fat!~ . /'~~ A,I~~ I t./-6-f,;;. -11- If- ~ -I- I ~,&If,~•..; .
. ' 0 .,, - ---
' ,, ' ...... ' \'~ ... ' •,'',, . - .. ,,. ... ·.. 't ', , - .,. .. ·. ·• , ...... ~-- •
CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious ant Civil Rights "1(J0WE.ST WELLS STREEl · MILWAUKff. WISCOr>.!3IN 53233 .<1 1 .: 2P8 0170 .,36141
)FFICERS -~£SI OF NT ••werene ..-up11 C Blurr.. S.J. March 23, .1983 ·,,:.tr-~5 :' • E mf'r11ut, Po1ihca1 ,c. 1e-nct Maraut"lt< Uni..,e,,s1ty : HAIAt,U,H ,~.,,. Hltchcocl
IICI PRE.SI0OIT ! ,nlN Comar (. \,'",i Hono~able Ronald Reagan . aec. ut•¥fl (J11ec10· Ov1~1•'•-' C•1r.011r C.onterPnct \> · President of the United States I ·RE.A SU AFR I ._! The White House lohr. H•nsen ~ ~•' t-c.10• c,t F',,,a,,c (: \ l •. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue ..4arQuf"!1e Ur,11,.t-• s ,1,. \ >fCliffTARY ,) .'. . Washington, D.C. 111 1&1 Ann 18rosnan 'I r,1~rr.a1oona• Econom,s: ~ Nc,-..t,inplon O C Dear President Reaqan: lSSISTANT SECR£1ARY Neher S Sh1mp1 "~~1S-lan: Fro,e~so1 Ac~ount,n ~ a"a i ,nctrict M1111Qut"Hf' Vn1vers1 t; The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is now
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ten years old. We will celebrate our Tenth Anniversary James. G Ahl•r with a Solemn Pontifical Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral .._~~0<.. •.a tt Protes~o, o! Soc•olog~ :-..oht-pt- ot s, lt-iorr.a~ in New York City on May 21, with Bishop Joseph Able Francis John E. Coon•, E•G the principal celebrant and Bishop John McNicholas as the S:::-,o•t-~!:.o• ot La"" Un1... e~SII) of ::.a1i tcrn 1a 8 1 S,p•,..elt') homilist. F,a,., J Dolan~ E1q AltOrl\t'!' al Lew VviH,nmg1on 0 .C Mc Canhy DIM•'"• M .O.. J .O. Following the mass, we shall have a reception and dinner ~ ,c,1(-!:,,!-01 0 1 la"" , M ~n,pt,1~ SUtf- l! .. ~ro 1f''5-~o• 0 1 Suq)t') Urn.,.tHSi1y o' at the ~aldorf-Astoria Hotel, with the eminent Catholic 1t-,,hes~t>-t: lr.4eoica I CentE-• layman and coach Don Shula as the principal speaker. O•'• r,ancl, f.
F-tt•.reo ,~aus1r1a Rf'lii!l1on~ Manager. ~~ a.,..,~in, D1v1!:. 1o r.. Fore' Moto, Cc I would appreciate your informing me whether you would favor Aoa e ~,..,,, M .O . us by accepting this award at our Anniversary Di nner on r IU!'-."'•"~ CN Y; H oso,1a: E:merop-nc y Frank O S.l•fl.. P.t., A.grupacion Saturday, May 21, 7:30 P.M., at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. C..&tul • .:-.cl Un1ver~11a•,a Ch1et Eriginep: F ulle • C...Or\5~ Cc.· M 1am1 Fl .. os1 At> ..rentl R.obitrt F. Sanchez With appreciation . .A.•thl,•~hop or S8r"11 (- Ft NM Jo.eph Sobran Ar fo,10, of NlJiJc,nai Rta..,.,t-.,... and fiuman Sincerely in Christ, LIit- Fi~111~~ Dn,c J You~ Eaq •t1cir r.ey a \ Lav.. C 01urr:.bus Otuo 4 L '3:, o - Hon. Ctement J. Z..blockt US House ot Ae;ue ~entatiwes Reverend Virgil C. Blum, S.J. President Michael Sch,.,n, Orlan R lo•e Mrverer\d Peter M .J. Str-•winsJa1s 01Jec.10r ot Pvbllc Atta1rs R,-g 1una1 Oner.1or o' Oe ... e1opme n t
lhom11 Pe,nc~ Mon•vhan. E:-.q f:t.eve,e1"1d He.-,ry W C ■ 5pe r. S .J 'WifU ■ m J Swe•nity Gt--nera1 Cc1,.1nse· 01rec 1or OI Oeve1oomen1 A!.~oc •atE: Ae-9 1o'lal D1rec10, o f Oe-.iefopmen: THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON
ANNE HJGGINS Special Assistant fo the President and Director of Correspondence Room 94, x76JO
{- .'
c1,✓ 1, V
£· /"\__---- ·
. . ;.• ' CATHOLIC LEAGUE ~u l ,plC'rn<·nt t<, th{' Cot Jiu! it lA· Religion: An Ame1/lican F1/leedom by President Ronald Reagan The following remarks on religious freedom are excerpted from a transcript of President Ronald Reagan's speech to the National Association of Evangelicals. deli vered March 8 . 1983. in Orlando. Florida . The League reprints them not to lend partisan political support to a public official who may soon become a candidate for reelection but because the League heartily approves of public statements by any influential leader who speaks out forcefully on behalf of the religious freedom issues in which the League is deeply involved and to which the League is deeply committed . the right of parents to be no11f1ed when a government-fundec agency gives their minor children contraceptive drugs. the right of religious-minded students not to have tr1e1r freedom of speech abridged. the right to life. and the right of all citizens not be subiected to racial . ethnic or religious hatred. This Administration is motivated b\' a inr tu go in gi\'inr to J!o\'ernmen1 their Ii shed c linic-s nationwide to offer help to political philosophy that ,-ee:- the ~rcat prero,rativt>s a~ parents? theH' l!irli' and hopefully alleviate this nt>ss of America in you. her peoplt. and 1.,(,1 me state th£> <·asc· as briefly and situation. in your families. l'hurche,. nt>ivhbor icimply as l can. An or1 WASHINGTO~ May 5, 1983 MEMORANDUM FOR DEBBIE HUTTON 1/41 FROM MORTON C. BLACKWELL &:. .... This is an excellent group and a good opportunity to have a prominent Administration speaker address a prestigious Catholic group on issues like Central American policy, defense budget and MX. Let's do it. I recommend we send a White House staffer or a Cabinet member. THE WHITE HOUSE V, I-. ~ h I t•, (- 1 C, : • May 3, 19 83 1'~D1ORANDUM TO: BOB SIMS / MORTON BLACKWELLV MORT ALLIN , FROM: DEBBIE HUTTO~r ,Speakers Bureau SUBJECT: SPEAKERS REQuEST PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR RECO.M..MI::NDATION AND COMMENTS ON THE FOLLOWING REQUEST UNDER CONSIDLRATION: Event: Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Catholic League and Presentation of the John Paul II Religious Freedo~ Award to the President Date: May 21, 1983 Location: New York, NY Background: See attached correspondence. This group would like a representative to accept this award on behalf of the President. In light of the Pastoral Letter issued by the Catholic Bishops, I was not sure if we wanted to try for a high-level surrogate and I would like your suggestions as to who might be the best ?uited for such an event. RECOMMEND ACCEPT RECOMMEND WHITE HOUSE STAFF RECOMMEND REGRET RECOMM.END CABINET MEMBER RECOJ-W£ND SUB-CABINET .MEMBER COMMENTS: Your response is needed by:_....a~u:..-.______Dear F~ther Elum: On behalf of th~ President, l would like to thank you for inviting him to join you in celebrating the Tenth Annivcn;ar)' of the Catholic Le~gu~. ~e i~ inooed honored that you have chosen him to be onE of the recipic~t& of the ~ohn Paul lI Religious Freedom Award. Although h~ woul~ like to join you, the Pretident's heavy schedule preclude~ his doing ~o. With regard to your request fore r~prescntativ~ to eccept the award in the President•~ stead, I nrn fcrwar~ing your m~Esage to thP Speakers Burtau an~ they will be in touch with you regarding the pofi&ibility of e repre:scnt~tive. ln the meantime, the President haE ~sked me to expres6 hiE gra~ituae for your thoughtfulness in ~electing him to receive th1E award, and he sen6a hie best wishes. Sinc~rely, Fru:.DERICK J. RYAli, JR. Director, Presidcnti~l AppointruentE and Sch~duling ,, The Reverend Virgil C. Blum, S.J. President Cet..holic LeAgue 1100 West WellE Street Milwaukee, WI 53233 cc: Speakers Bureau1" Anne Higgins FJR/emu Ji. .. ~ l~E WHITE HOUSE ,~- WASHINGTON ,INS ~J1c:1..1d1 tt:,:,1~Ldnt to the President and Director of Correspondence Room 94, x76JO ,/ -· (.,..; ' - · ~J....--" /(_ ; } - ,-- ( / Supplement to the Catholic League Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 5 CATHOLIC LEAGUE Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights • for Religious and Civil Rights 1100 West Wells Street• Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233 " The Catholic League A decade of defending religious freedom By Orlan Love Director of Publications On May 12, 1973-less than four rights advocate, Father Blum had been laws. months after the Supreme Court had years ahead of his contemporaries in In the late 1960's, for example, when legalized abortion on demand in the identifying religious freedom in educa Pennsylvania lawmakers enacted legis United States-25 Catholic lay and tion as the lynch pin of all religious free lation providing financial aid to private clerical leaders met in Washington, D.C., dom. As early as 1953, in his doctoral school teachers, they drafted it to con to formalize their plans to resist what dissertation on "The Legal Aspects of form with the Court's then existing two they rightly regarded as a new Ameri Equality and Religious Liberty," Father pronged test of constitutionality, accord- can revolution. The Court's abortion Blum demonstrated that religious exer ing to which a law must have a secular decision, coupled with a series of educa cise in the United States is hamstrung legislative purpose and a primary effect tion decisions which discriminated a by discriminatory government educa which neither advances nor inhibits gainst Catholic school parents, had gal tion funding policies which inhibit the religion. In order to- strike down that vanized those 25 Catholic leaders, dispel efforts of parents to transmit their reli Pennsylvania law, the Court added a ling any lingering doubts that their gious and moral values to their children. new, third test, known as the "excessive country was indeed in the throes of a entanglement" test, which the Court ---re_v_o-lutiori bent upon d1vorcmg the '"la"'wms.---- ------applied both to school administration- of man from the laws of God and dis Freedom campaign and education politics. In its 1971 Lemon mantling, one by one, theJ udeo-Christian v. Kurtzman decision, the Court said, un~erpinnings of American society. And, Throughout the 1950's and 60's, in moreover, that activity by Catholics in knowing that their Church loomed as books, articles and lectures, Father Blum advancing aid to private education had the last formidable obstacle to the com had campaigned tirelessly for religious "divisive political potential." In what pletion of that revolution, they rightly freedom in education, for the right of amounted todisenfranchisementofCath anticipated that attacks on Catholic religious-minded par~nts to send their olics, the Court said the Constitution beliefs and values, as well as on the children to a church-related school of forbids such "entanglement" of religion rights of all religious-minded citizens, their choice without having to bear the and politics as would be involved in the would continue to intensify. financial penalty of taxation for public efforts of Catholic school parents to secure Among those Catholic leaders was one schools, plus tuition for their own child equitable funding of private education. whose depth of experience and vision ren's education. Time and again, he and According to the Court, such activity by . uniquely qualified him to prescribe an his colleagues prevailed upon state Catholic parents amounted to "religion antidote to the crisis facing American legislatures to pass favorable programs intru~ing into the political arena" caus Catholics. He was Rev. Virgil C. Blum, for funding secular aspects of private ing"division along religious lines," which S.J ., and his prescription was to found education, only to see the fruits of their the Court said was impermissible. the first and only Catholic civil rights efforts struck down by the courts. No Father Blum finally concluded that and anti-defamation union in American matter how carefully the legislation had the problem arose not from the Consti history-the Catholic League for Reli been tailored to conform with court tution but from the historic anti-Catholic gious and Civil Rights. established tests of constitutionality, the bias that still permeates many Ameri A Marquette University political courts always devised new and ever can institutions, including the courts scientist and a nationally known Catholic more specious tests to invalidate those and the mass media. He realized that religious freedom in education could tion to stop publication and distribution Amendment, which protected pro-iife never be attained as long as the issue is of a booklet which called for Pope Paul taxpayers' rights of conscience by elim framed as whether this bishop or that VI to be tried before an international inating almost all federal funding of cardinal should be permitted to have his tribunal for crimes against humanity. abortions. And the League has also aided hand in the public till. He realized that And their protests helped persuade 39 university students who objected to pay the right to life of the unborn child could CBS-TV affiliates to drop scheduled ing for abortions through mandatory never be restored as long as the issue is reruns of the "Maude" pro-abortion assessments for health insurance policies. framed as whether the Catholic Church episode. . When pro-life "sidewalk counselors" should be permitted to impose its pecul The early efforts of the League a ppar were arrested in California for explain iar morality on the rest of society. And en tly struck a responsive chord in the ing the true nature of abortion to poten he realized that Catholics could never American Catholic community; for, after tial clients of abortion clinics, League take their place as equal members of a concerted membership recruitment attorneys successfully defended their American society as long as their most effort, the League gained 6,000 members First Amendment free speech rights to sacred beliefs and values are publicly during its first year of existence. To do so. In another major pro-life case, the defamed and ridiculed in the mass apprise those new members of League League persuaded the Department of media. activities, Father Blum inaugurated the Health and Human Services to enforce a Catholic League Newsletter, which has provision of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act gradually earned a reputation as a source which will prevent the killing by neglect League founders of reliable information on anti-Cath of handicapped newborns such as "Baby olicism and religious freedom issues. Doe." So to counter that historic bias and to Thus firmly rooted, the League turned safeguard religious freedom rights, its widening attention to civil rights. In Father Blum called 24 Catholic leaders its first legal case, the League helped Parental rights to Washington, and on May 12, 1973, defend the freedom of speech rights of a they founded the Catholic League for Protestant physician, Dr. Frank Bolles In defending the right of parents to Religious and Civil Rights. The newly of Boulder, Colorado. For sending pro- protect their children from exploitation created Board of Directors named Father life literature through the mails, Dr. by abortionists, League attorneys have Blum to serve as president, which he Bolles had been charged with violating urged the Supreme Court to uphold the continues to do. David W. Louise II, Boalt a state law prohibiting communications model abortion regulation Jaw passed Professor of Law at the University of thatare"likelytoharassorcausealarm." by the Akron (Ohio) City Council. And, California at Berkeley, was named as With legal research !lnd financial assist- ; in the case of the 16,000 aborted fetuses the first chairman of the board, and ancefromtheCathohcLeague,Dr.Bolles discovered in 1982 in an abandoned Michigan attorney Stuart Hubbell was contested the charge all the w_ay to the shipping container in Los Angeles, the named executive director. Of those 24 Colorado Suprem~ Court, which rul~d J Catholic League has gone to court to founding board members, seven remain: that th_e p_rosecut1on of Dr. Bolles v10- defend the right of religious-minded Father Blum; Miss Ann Brosnan of lated his r1_ght to ~ree spe_ech and ~n.Iaw- citizens to hold religious burial services Washington, D.C., an international econ fu~ly restricted his full rights of citizen- for the dead babies, and to prevent the omist who continues to serve as the ship. anti-life forces from gaining a public League's first secretary; Emile Comar, acknowledgment that the dead babies executive director of the Louisiana Rights of conscience are nothing more than so much garbage Catholic Conference and the League's to be disposed of without the slightest current vice president; Mrs. C. Brad consideration of their humanity. ford Lundy of Detroit, president of Citi In another early legal triumph, the In several successful anti-discrimin zens for Educational Freedom; veteran League helped to vindicate the rights of ation cases, the League has upheld the Catholic journalist Dale Francis, Ohio conscience of 28 doctors and nurses who right of individuals to hold jobs and earn attorney David Young and Washington objected to abortion on moral and reli promotions without being penalized attorney Frank Delaney. gious grounds. In upholdinga1974 Ken either for their religious beliefs or their With a first-year budget of $5,000, tucky law which guaranteed that doc ethnic backgrounds. The League has Father Blum returned to Milwaukee to tors and nurses could not be held liable also been instrumental in countering begin the Catholic League's work of for refusing to take part in abortion, the secularist infringements upon the right countering anti-Cathotictsm and speak Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, of individuals to freely exercise their ing out in defense of religious freedom rejecting arguments by the American religious beliefs. Thus, in separate cases, rights. Through press releases and let Civil Liberties Union, agreed with League League attorneys successfully defended ters to editors, he and Hubbell called attorneys who had argued that doctors the right of prisoners and senior citizens attention to several anti-Catholic and and nurses have the religious and moral in publicly funded housing to have week anti-religious publications. Their pro right under the First Amendment to end Mass and other religious services. tests resulted in the cancellation of refuse to participate in abortions. And, whenthestateofMichiganarrested advertising in the National Lampoon In succeeding years, the abortion issue fundamentalist Protestant pare:pts for after the magazine leveled a scathing has remained at the center of many teaching their children at home without broadside attack on the Protestant, Catholic League legal cases. League first obtaining state certification to do Catholic and Jewish faiths. Their threat attorneys played a vital role in defend of a lawsuit compelled Xerox Corpora- ing the constitutionality of the Hyde so, League attorneys vindicated their I right to educate their children in a home-school in accordance with their own religious convictions. Breaking new legal ground in another The Catholic League is committed to helping those Michigan case, League attorneys argued in federa1 court that parents have a who harbor anti-Catholicism recognize and free right to be notified when a state agency gives their minor children prescription themselves from a bigotry which is beneath their birth control drugs and devices. Though the League lost that case on appeal, the own dignity. legal theories developed by League attorneys proved to be the direct fore repressed, undemocratic, unpatriotic, ous Catholic League successes in coun bears of the Reagan Administration's anti-Semitic, genetically inferior, or any tering individual instances of defama- parental notification rule. of a host of other equally false and tion, anti-Catholicism remains a potent The widening scope of the League's defamatory stereotypes. and respectable force in many quarters civil rights activities coincided with a Why is it that the press, the enter of American society. Whenever the broadening of the League's base of sup tainment media and the universities, League has managed to contain anti port. Not only did the League gain thou the staunchest foes of racism and anti Catholic prejudice in one area, it has sands of new members and supporters Semitism, are among the foremost pur popped up in another with renewed during the 1970's; it also developed a veyors of anti-Catholicism? The reasons vigor. Even so, there is optimism that national network oflocal chapters staffed are many, complex and overlapping. the Catholic League, with its recent tri- by talented and dedicated volunteers. A major reason is self-interest:·A large umph in St. Louis over the bigotry of the The heart of the League's strength is on proportion of the practitioners in those play "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It ti the Eastern Seaboard, where the League fields are avowed secularists who believe All For You," may have finally turned " has nine flourishing cnapters: Long that traditional God-centered religions, the corner in its efforts to persuade the Island, Manhattan, Westchester, Brook such as Catholicism, are not only false American people that anti-Catholicism lyn-Queens, Washington, Philadelphia, but harmful. Thus, when religious beliefs is just as disreputable, just as unfair, Connecticut, Massachusetts and North impinge upon politics (for example, in and just as undemocratic as racism, ern New Jersey. The League also has the abortion and education freedom anti-Semitism, or any other form of three vigorous chapters in the Midwest issues), secularists regard the objectives prejudice. -St. Louis, MinnesotaandNebraska sought by religious people as antitheti Long before the publicly funded play and one each in Southern California and cal to the common good. So, in a practi was scheduled to open in St. Louis, South Florida. cal political sense, it behooves secular Catholic League activists there, led by The local chapters have greatly en ists to denigrate and discredit religion League Chairman Professor James Hitch hanced nearly every-phase of the and-, "E!speciatty,€-a-tholicism,the largest cock, Chapter -PPesident-F-mnees- Noo League's operation, but they have been and best-known religion in America. nan and her predecessor as president, especially effective in augmenting the Professor John Dunsford, began to alert League's efforts to counter public ex the St. Louis community, ·in a responsi pressions of anti-Catholic sentiment. Distorted Image ble and reasoned manner, to the danger In responding to anti-Catholic defa and unfairness of introducing into a tol mation, the Catholic League has no A corollary of that first reason is that erant and pluralistic community a play recourse to lawbooks and judges, because many journalists, script-writers and which reviled and ridiculed nearly every the laws of libel and slander do not pro educators regard religious people as thing that Catholics believe in and hold tect a group as large and diverse as the polar opposites of their own enlight sacred. Catholic Church. The League must there ened, progressive, objective selves. Con fore take its case to the court of public sequently, they tend to believe that Bigotry exposed opinion. Unfortunately, the institutions common anti-Catholic stereotypes accu most influential in shaping public op rately describe Catholics. inion-the press, the entertainment Moreover, they deny that Catholics By the time the play opened in Janu media, universities, and government are a legitimate, identifiable sub-cultural ary of 1983, the only segments of the agencies-are also the ones most deeply group, such as blacks or Jews. They community not publicly aligned with imbued with what Harvard historian believe that Catholics can stop being the League were a few ideologue jour Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr., called "the Catholics any time they want to. All nalists and educators. Joining the League deepest bias in the history of the Ameri Catholics need to do is relinquish their in repudiating the play's bigotry were can people"-anti-Catholicism. willful adherence to their patently back the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai ward, benighted beliefs. In short, Cath B'rith, the National Conference of Prejudice renounced olics can end any real or imagined dis Christians and Jews, the local ministe crimination and prejudice against them rial association, the Knights of Colum simply by ceasing to be dedicated Cath bus, local public officials, influential A few decades earlier, to their endur olics. state senators and thousands and thou ing credit, many ef these same institu- The Catholic J,eague'santi-defaroatian _ sands of fair-minded St. Lo1,l.isa.ns,, Pr~ tions led society in acknowledging and initiatives have been hampered by the dictably, the officials of two local uni repudiating its deep-seated and too-often fact that those defaming the Church versities, in the name of absolute free virulent prejudice against blacks and have so often been the proprietors of or speech, provided a forum for the play; Jews. Racism and anti-Semitism were writers for the free press. When it comes but it got bad reviews and closed early. much less prevalent among the enlight to treatment of Catholics, members of Through the efforts of the Catholic ened leaders of public opinion than they the press tend to have a hair trigger. League, a paradigm of contemporary were among many other people. So, Rather than consider whether deroga anti-Catholic bigotry was called to the when blacks and Jews began to protest tory comments about the Church are attention of the decent people of St. the prejudi!!e against them, the schools justified, they make them first, then jus Louis. And the League is heartened and the media, having no vested interest tify them with appeals to the allegedly because those decent people recognized in perpetuating those prejudices, were absolute freedom of the press. Rather it for what it is and rejected it. free to follow their loftier instincts and than consider whether free speech should The St. Louis experience reinvigorated to encourage others to do likewise. Such, ever be tempered with responsibility or the Catholic League's original trust and however, is not the case with anti-Cath tolerance, they contend (at least, insofar belief in the basic decency of the Ameri olicism. as Catholics are concerned) that free can people. As Catholic League Director Whereas the press would no longer speech is either exercised or subverted. Michael Novak once said: say, or even imply, that blacks are shift According to the press, to bypass an If the plain, ordinary people can less or that Jews are avaricious (clearly, opportunity to defame Catholics-is to be so decent, if our neighbors can to do so would be to indulge in bigotry), succumb to Catholic censorship. be so decent, then why in the name the press has no compunction whatsoever That's what the League has been up of goodness can't the most privi in saying that Catholics, as a class, are against in its anti-defamation efforts leged, the highest educated elites, superstitious, authoritarian, sexually during the past decade. Despite numer- those who run the newspapers, the magazines, the television, and the on television stations across the country. Thousands more have been recruited by universities? Why can't they be as By demonstrating that private schools Father Peter Stravinskas, the League's decent as the American principles truly serve the public interest, the film East Coast director of development. For we believe in, and as they them makes a compelling statement in favor the past several years, the League has selves would like to be? of parental choice in education. greatly benefitted from the energy and In its anti-defamation and educational Ripples from the League's inner city talents of Father Stravinskas, an accom efforts, the Catholic League is commit research project continue, as the writ plished author and lecturer whose organ ted to helping them recognize and free ings and comments of opinion leaders izational skills have not only helped to themselves from a bigotry which is around the nation underscore the fact harness much of the volunteer support beneath their own dignity. that Catholic and other private schools that is the very backbone of the League, As the League gained experience and are an invaluable alternative to the pub but which have also been instrumental maturity, it began to expand its function lic schools, an alternative that needs and in the planning and implementation of as a source of reliable information and . deserves broad-based public support. the Catholic League's 10th anniversary ,., original research on religious freedom Besides publishing the full report of celebration. Also working out of the issues. In 1977 Father Blum initiated a the inner city education study, the League League's East Coast office in Trenton, research project designed to shift the also inaugurated in 1982 a continuing N.J., are William Sweeney and Philip focus of the education debate from "the series of Catholic League publications. Dolan, the League's two associate direc bishop's hand in the public till" to the Among them were a 72-page summary tors of development. role of Catholic schools in meeting the of the findings of the inner city research educational needs of low-income black project, Inner City Private Education: A and Hispanic families. Study; a 36-page monograph entitled Headquarters staff Pius XII's Defense of Jews and Others: 1944-45, by Rev. Robert A. Graham, Research project Anchoring the League's headquarters S.J .; a 20-page monograph entitled staff in Milwaukee is Director of Public Religious Freedom in Education: A Affairs Michael Schwartz, whose arti Under Father Blum's direction, League Munificent Bequest in a Pauper's Will, cles, speeches, and radio and television researchers visited 54 inner city private by Father Blum; and a full-length book, appearances during the past six years elementary schools in eight major cities Constitutional Rights and Religious Pref have greatly enhanced the League's cred to determine the quality of the education udice: Catholic Education as the Battle ibility and visibility. Other key staff offered, the schools' religious and moral ground, by Father Peter Stravinskas, members include Director of Publica orientation, their chances of survival in the League's East Coast regional direc tions Orlan Love who for the past five an inflationary economy, the social and tor of development. The League has also years has overseen production of the economic characteristics of their clients, produced a 200-page curriculum pro Catholic League Newsletter, the monthly and why low-income parents willingly gram entitled American Catholics: Their supplements, League books and pam make tremendous personal and finan Rights and Duties in Society, which is phlets, and press releases; General Coun cial sacrifices to pay tuition at these now being introduced in Catholic high sel Thomas Patrick Monaghan who schools, when free public schools are schools around the nation by William directs the League's civil rights activi readily available. Sweeney, the League's associate East ties; Associate General Counsel Steve Thousands of hours went into the Coast regional director. McDowell and Director of Communica preparation of the League's 240-page tions Stephen Settle. final report, Inner City Private Elemen Educational activities A decade has passed since those 25 tary Schools: A Study, published in 1982 Catholic leaders met in Washington to by Marquette University Press. Copies found the Catholic League for Religious of the report, which documents the achieve The League conducts its educational and Civil Rights. Ten years, and abor ments of inner city private schools and activities through seminars and work tion is claiming more innocent lives than their growing appeal to low-income, shops, as well as through publications. ever; 10 years, and parents who want a minority families, were distributed to For example, a 1983 workshop on "Cath moral and religious education for their selected members of Congress and the olic-Jewish Relations," in which spokes children are still being penalized; 10 administration, to newspaper and mag persons for the American Jewish Com years, and anti-Catholic prejudice is azine editors, to scholars in the fields of mittee (AJC) participated, typified the still a potent and respectable -force in education and sociology, to bishops and League'scontinuingefforts to foster inter American society. But the Catholic Catholic school administrators, and to faith sensitivity, understanding and League is neither daunted nor discour many other opinion leaders. communication. The League's Father aged. . Evidence uncovered by the League's Stravinskas also consults frequently with As the founder, Father Blum, said 10 pioneering study not only confirmed the AJC's Rabbi Leon Klenicki and other years ago, in announcing the formation that Catholic elementary schools do Jewish leaders on matters of mutual ofthe Catholic League: indeed provide their students with high concern. We intend to employ all the tried quality education, but also helped to The expanded activities of the Catholic and accepted methods effective in shatter the popular myths that private League in recent years are of course a an open and free democratic society schools are racist and elitist. Members reflection of an expanded staff and an to impress upon our fellow coun of the League's staff have been called expanded base of support. The League, trymen who engage in prejudicial upon to testify as expert witnesses before now with nearly 30,000 members nation conduct that what they are doing committees of both the House and the wid!:!, has grown steadily since the early is, first of all, unjust and unaccep Senate and to provide research data on days when Father Blum ran it out of a table under our American system inner city private schbols to the White storefront office with part-time secre and, further, that it is unprofit House. tarial help. able either for the future of society In its efforts to focus public attention Much of the League's growth is attrib or for individual relationships on the contributions of private schools to utable to the efforts of Father Henry today. the education of disadvantaged youth, Casper, S.J., who, as director of devel In that, the Catholic League's resolve the League also produced an award opment for the past seven years, has grows firmer with each passing day. winning documentary film, Mfracle in personally persuaded thousands of Cath Sooner or later, the decency of the· the Inner C1'ty, which has been broadcast olics to become Catholic League members. American people will come to the fore.