Hi everyone. I have news to share with regard to this entire situation.

A few days ago I tweeted a picture of Villanova social media actively aligning itself with the gay pride flag, and the LGBTQ community as a whole. Although as Catholics, we ought to love and respect all https://twitter.com/melaniedio/status/1275821304470474752

people, despite their choices - it is a clear belief of the Church that homosexuality is a sin. Therefore, loving those who struggle with this sin means to love the person, and their soul, NOT the embrace of such sins. This is the Catholic belief and stance. Period.

A Catholic institution should uphold Catholic beliefs. That’s my opinion. As I am a devout Catholic, I have sought a Catholic education (especially in theology for goodness sake). Clearly, Villanova’s priority is not to uphold Catholic beliefs, but merely rework the Church

into the stances and cultures of secularism. This is not a university I am proud to attend, and likewise, a university I can align myself with. Now, that’s the university as a whole. Not the Theology department I am in. The department I decided to not include in my discussion

on Twitter. That is, until they decided to ambush me on a zoom call.

Today I had a meeting with an advisor in the Theology Department, who was supposed to speak with me about the potential of remaining online for the Fall semester. I was under the impression this conversation

would revolve around the campus’ new decision to begin in person classes in the fall, and aid me in figuring out how to attend online, since I’m moving to a new state.

However, that was not the meeting. Instead, my recent tweets were brought up.

It was explained to me that, despite my intents, my tweets claimed that I was not in line with the Villanova ideology (which was reiterated to me that this was a “Catholic” ideology) and that is “truth, unity, and charity.”

In other words, it is not Catholic of me to oppose the fact that Villanova as a Catholic Institution is not holding strong to Catholic morals. Therefore, I am a new enemy of the department.

It was then, through diplomatic and nicely manicured rhetoric, threatened to me, that through these tweets, I might lose my tuition scholarship, my good standing in the department (since the department knows how much the professors believe me to be an incredible student), my good

reputation as a Catholic (or their definition of what a Catholic should be), and my future with regard to being accepted within the Theological community, with future networking opportunities. In other words, my academic education and future career is at stake.

It was then reiterated to me that, if I did not want to lose such things, and if I did not want a “hard time,” that I ought to come back to Twitter and tweet my supposed appreciation and love for the theology department and Villanova as a whole.

In other words, if I want to survive at this Catholic institution, then I need to lie; lie on Twitter, and tell everyone that, in fact, my Catholic beliefs are wrong, and I am in full communion with the stance the school has taken.

It is clear to me, that through my actions of opposing secularism, and seeking to uphold Catholic beliefs, through a Catholic institution, I am losing. As a Catholic, I am losing this Catholic system.

That’s called corruption. And I will not stand for it.

The Catholic Church will not move. And my belief will not move. I will not lie to say that Villanova is honorable in this way. Because it is not. The university as a whole, and the theology department (aside from 1 or 2 professors that are Catholic and wonderful) is not Catholic.

I will be transferring to a much more Catholic theology program for the fall, and I will no longer associate myself with a university that betrays Catholic teaching. It is a strong shame that such a university is allowed to be called Catholic.

A Catholic institution would not threaten a student for being Catholic. It is obvious to me that I am the enemy.

Villanova and the Theology department loves to claim that they are all about “unity” and “embracing diversity.” They’ve made this embrace clear when it comes to liberalism. They’ve made this embrace clear when it comes to the LGBTQ community. They have not, however, embraced me.

I suppose, as a conservative, devout Catholic, and quite blatantly the minority at the school, I am not wanted in this union, and my diversity will not be embraced. Instead, it will be threatened.

This is the last I will say on the situation. Please pray for those Catholic students similar to me who attend Villanova, and similar Catholic institutions. Please also pray for me as I make this transition into a new school.