Fordham University’s Board of Trustees has voted to rescind a honorary degree...again!
University President, Reverend Joseph McShane, S.J., just rescinded alumnus Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s honorary degree as well as “other honors".
The former Archbishop has been recently removed from public ministry following accusations of the sexual abuse of a minor which an Archdiocesan Review Board spearheaded by Cardinal Dolan found to be credible and substantiated.
Cardinal McCarrick, a graduate of Fordham College at Rose Hill’s class of 1954, served as the Archbishop of Washington from 2000 to 2006.
This is the third time Fordham has revoked an honor it bestowed on a celebrity misfit.
Last December, Fordham rescinded Charlie Rose’s eponymous award for excellence in broadcast journalism following accusations from eight women that he sexually assaulted them.
Similarly, in 2015, Fordham revoked Bill Cosby’s honorary degree from the University.
In adding Cardinal McCarrick’s case to this blacklist, all three decisions cite sexual assault or abuse as the reason for action.
It’s no secret that these honorary degrees and titles are given to high-profile celebrities to entice alumni and others to open their purses and contribute to the coffers of elite universities.
But lately, Fordham has shown a remarkable lack of judgment in selecting celebrities who have a horrific history of sexual misconduct and abuse.
In their vainglorious rush to attract headlines and dollars, the Administration of Fordham has paid a terrible price.
Receiving an honorary degree from Fordham is no honor.
As a friend recently put it -- his comment motivated this post: “I’d rather be a fire-hydrant at a kennel than being an honorary alumnus of Fordham University.”
O tempore, o mores!
No comments:
Post a Comment