Duke faculty failed its accused students by rushing to condemn, but their high schools wisely waited for truth

A fellow Chaminade graduate wrote this editorial that was published in Newsday about the lacrosse players accused of raping a stripper. His point is that Duke University and its faculty seem to rush to judgement against the players, while the private high schools the students attended, Delbarton and Chaminade, supported the players and expressed faith in them as good people. I know Chaminade is supportive of its alumni and truly cares about its students, but I want to comment on two things in the article.

First, I happen to agree with the Duke University President who is quoted from the 60 Minutes story:

"From our point of view, this was an evening of highly unacceptable behavior whether or not the rape took place."

I agree.

Also, the article does not mention the previous assault charge against one of the players. What this stripper did was horrible and obviously she is a very messed up person, but the party should never have involved strippers in the first place. Hopefully, the DA down there will be disbarred, the stripper will be arrested for filing a false complaint, and the lacrosse players will learn valuable lessons.

Mass today was at St. Luke's since I spent the weekend in the Poconos. The Mass was being filmed so if you watch the Sunday Mass in the Diocese of Scranton (PA) you may have seen me receiving communion. After unpacking and sitting down to unwind after the long drive home, I turned on the television and caught part of the Mass from St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre. The red on Bishop Murphy and concelebrants reminded me they are celebrating the Mass for the feast of St. Agnes today in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Diocese.

"Bishop Murphy has encouraged all parishes to celebrate the Feast of St. Agnes at their own parish Sunday Masses on January 21. Normally, the feast of a saint that falls on a Sunday is not observed so that the liturgy can focus on the regular Sunday lectionary readings."

St. Agnes was an early martyr of the Catholic Church and her name is mentioned in the Roman Canon. I love hearing the names of the early saints and martyrs when this prayer is used. St. Agnes of Rome was only around 12 or 13 when she was killed for refusing to give up her virginity.