Matt C. Abbott
September 21, 2007
Planned Parenthood-friendly Catholic university loses big donor alum
By Matt C. Abbott

In an update of sorts to my coverage of the relatively recent controversy involving the University of Detroit Mercy — which had advertised job opportunities at Planned Parenthood, among other scandalous items — a UDM alumnus who had given nearly $200,000 to the university "will never give them another dime."

The alumnus, Tom (not his real name), who works for a major German bank in Chicago, reports that about two years ago, he met with Maureen Fay, then-outgoing UDM president, Father Gerard Stockhausen, S.J., then-incoming (and current) president, and F. Thomas Lewand, UDM board of trustees chair, "about this exact issue."

"I was prepared to make a gift of $3 million to UDM upon my death," said Tom, via e-mail. "I asked that these [pro-abortion] links and Web sites be removed. I was blown off, so I had UDM removed as a beneficiary from my estate.

Tom said that Father Stockhausen treated him in a very abrupt and cavalier manner, even telling him "I see nothing wrong with these organizations. They do a lot of good."

A Michigan pro-life activist who arranged a May 2007 meeting with UDM officials, including Father Stockhausen, reports that the job placement to Planned Parenthood has ended.

But Tom isn't confident about UDM's apparent "conversion."

"I do not trust Stockhausen at all," Tom said. "I would suggest someone pay a visit — unannounced — to determine if he has complied."

Related link:

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/apr/07041002.html

© Matt C. Abbott

 

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Matt C. Abbott

Matt C. Abbott is a Catholic columnist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, Media and Theatre from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Management from Triton College in River Grove, Ill. He has worked in the right-to-life movement and is a published writer focused on Catholic and social issues. He can be reached at mattcabbott@gmail.com

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