Viterbo University is a private Catholic institution in Wisconsin. Erin Edlund, the university’s vice president for marketing, communications, and enrollment, shared an email, outlining the new email signature changes, with employees on September 2, according to The College Fix. The requirement of adding preferred pronouns is among a few other changes in emails signature guidelines, but notably, none of the others require a violation of the Catholic faith.
AFN connected with Tom Nash, staff apologist at Catholic Answers, an apostolate that defends and explains Catholicism.
"It's disappointing because — like some other Catholic schools — they have pride clubs, the whole LGBT thing, and that's not consistent," says Nash.
He said that Catholics distinguish between homosexual activity and homosexuality, saying that homosexuality is a mental disorder, despite the American Psychiatric Association taking it off the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders back in 1973.
Nash thinks that requiring preferred pronouns in email signatures is a misguided attempt at solidarity with the students.
"Unfortunately, they already have it where the students can put their pronouns on their official academic records. Instead of sticking with our Lord Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, and the truth that will set you free, it's as if they've forgotten about Genesis 1:26-27,” says Nash.
He explains that it is like they have forgotten Genesis 1:26-27.
“It is very clear that our Lord said that we are all made in His image and likeness, and that male and female, he created them. So, there shouldn't be any ambiguity," says Nash.
He encourages people who come across this type of content in the workplace to stand firm. As an example, he goes on to say that is it not ‘I love you, but I can’t agree with you’ but rather ‘I love you, and because I love you, I need to share with you the truth that sets you free.’
“While I oppose what you're doing, it's because I love you as a child of God made in His image and likeness. So, it's out of love that I oppose you – out of concern, not only for your temporal well-being, but for your spiritual salvation,” continues Nash.
He does warn that it will not be easy.
“Again, like our Lord Jesus Christ, they have to be ready for persecution, and that's why they need to be centered in the Lord and have good fellowship so that they can have strength to endure," says Nash.
He further says that the world will hate those who stand for the truth and that one can't do it well or for a long time if one is not standing in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the Lord gives a peace through it all, even to the point of death, that the world cannot give.
Nash adds that people should not be compelled to 'affirm' behavior that is contrary to their faith and to biological reality.
"When people stand up for the truth, that's what's going to make America a much better place, and now, we've lost our way these last several decades," says Nash.
