Who in their right mind would not want to listen to John Corvino?

Apparently, the Provost of Providence College, Hugh F. Lena. Lena canceled a scheduled speaking engagement by Corvino. The Chronicle reports:

[Lena] cited a statement issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2004 called “Catholics in Political Life,” which says that “Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.” He also said that college policy “dictates that both sides of a controversial issue are to be presented fairly and equally.”

Mr. Corvino, in a response on his Web site to the cancellation, suggested that the 2004 document that Mr. Lena cited was inappropriate in this situation. “I am an academic speaker,” not a politician, he wrote. “Both the person introducing me and I would state clearly that my views were not those of the Catholic Church; moreover, a respondent from the Providence College theology department, Dr. Dana Dillon, would follow immediately to explain the church’s position on marriage. Far from suggesting ‘support’ for my views, the college would have ample opportunity to express precisely the opposite.”

Shame on Providence College!

Corvino responded in conciliatory fashion: “Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s new leader, has been justly celebrated for his welcoming tone toward gays and lesbians,” he wrote. “Notwithstanding my abrupt dis-invitation, I remain hopeful that Providence College may soon better reflect that tone.”