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By Mark Guydish mguydish@timesleader.com
Education Reporter
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SCRANTON – Bishop Joseph Martino issued a stinging statement Monday saying Misericordia University “is seriously failing in maintaining its Catholic identity” by having author Keith Boykin speak at the school today.

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Bishop Joseph Martino, left, and author Keith Boykin.

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The statement calls Boykin’s stance on homosexual issues “disturbingly opposed to Catholic moral teaching.”

Misericordia countered that Boykin’s appearance “is not meant to be a forum for advocacy on any singular issue,” and that the university “is committed deeply to its Catholic Mission” but is also “an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely.”

The diocesan statement focuses on Boykin’s authorship of three books that were each nominated for a Lambda literary award.

“Lambda is a legal advocacy effort for homosexual causes,” the statement says. Martino “wants Catholics of the Diocese of Scranton to know of his absolute disapproval of Misericordia University’s hosting Mr. Boykin.”

On its Web site, the Lambda Literary Foundation describes itself as “the country’s leading organization of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) literature.”

The diocese contends that allowing Boykin to speak means “the University has rejected all four essential characteristics of a Catholic institution of higher learning. These are: its Christian inspiration, its obligation to reflect on knowledge in light of the Catholic faith, its fidelity to Catholic Church teaching and its commitment to serve the people of God.”

Boykin is appearing at Misericordia today under the auspices of the school’s Diversity Institute. A university news release issued Jan. 29 billed him as a “political commentator” and “New York Times best-selling author and founder of the National Black Justice Coalition.”

Boykin, who is black, is touted as “a law school classmate of President Barrack Obama” as well as “a frequent contributor to CNBC.” Former President Bill Clinton appointed Boykin, Coretta Scott King and the Rev. Jesse Jackson to the U.S. presidential trade delegation to Zimbabwe. He will make two public appearances at Misericordia, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

A Misericordia response to the diocesan statement noted that the “university and its founders and sponsors, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, honor the traditions and core values of the Catholic Church and are committed to its teachings.” The statement also said that Misericordia “is committed deeply to its Catholic mission. Inseparable from that mission is our identity as an academic institution where ideas and positions are explored critically and freely.”

To read both statements, visit www.times

leader.com.

Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161