Et tu, Jenkins?

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Apr 05, 2006

Well, it was a nice hope while it lasted.

Declaring that Catholic teaching has nothing to fear from engaging the wider culture, the Rev. John I. Jenkins announced today that he will not ban future student performances of "The Vagina Monologues" at the University of Notre Dame. ...

Jenkins attended a performance of "The Vagina Monologues" on campus in February, and an academic discussion panel that followed the performance.

"These panels taught me and perhaps taught others that the creative contextualization of a play like 'The Vagina Monologues' can bring certain perspectives on important issues into a constructive and fruitful dialogue with the Catholic tradition. This is a good model for the future," Jenkins wrote.

I suppose it was too much to expect him not to crack under the pressure. But it's the "creative contextualization" line that hurts.