A University in the UK has refused to officially recognise a Catholic priest as its campus Chaplain because of his pro-life views. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications said: “The rejection of this priest from his role as University Chaplain, is indicative of a broader free speech crisis and growing hostility towards the pro-life community.”
Father David Palmer, who is serving in the Diocese of Nottingham, was named as chaplain to the Catholic community at the University of Nottingham by local Bishop Patrick McKinney.
However, the University of Nottingham is now refusing to recognise Father Palmer as its Chaplain after her refused to amend his social media posts where he spoke out against abortion and assisted suicide.
On Twitter, Father Palmer referred to a recent assisted suicide bill as an attempt to “kill the vulnerable.” He also referred to abortion as “the slaughter of babies.”
The University of Nottingham demanded that he amend the wording of his pro-life views on social media. Father Palmer refused to amend his pro-life statements and asserted that his tweets reflected Catholic belief.
Father Palmer said: “I was told it was fine for me to have this opinion, but they were concerned with how I expressed it. When I asked how they would suggest I express it, quite remarkably, they suggested I should call it ‘end of life care,’ which is a completely unacceptable policing of religious belief.”
Bishop McKinney has not nominated another Priest to take Father Palmers place as Chaplain. The University of Nottingham is permitting Father Palmer to celebrate Mass on campus on Sundays as a ‘guest Priest.’
Social media users have since taken to Twitter to defend Father Palmer and express their dismay at the University’s actions.
One user wrote: “Sounds like University of Nottingham are attempting to censor Fr Palmer. Are traditional Catholic ideas not to be voiced in a secular university? Questions need to be asked.”
SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “The University of Nottingham’s decision to cancel Father Palmer appears to be steeped in prejudice towards the Catholic community and pro-lifers.
“To silence any person particularly on the basis of a deeply held philosophical belief, is to act against the Equalities Act..”
Hostility towards pro-lifers at Nottingham University
Medial student, Julia Rynkiewicz received a formal apology and financial compensation after the University of Nottingham suspended her because she expressed pro-life views.
The student was subject to a four-month fitness to practice investigation by the University in 2019 and was blocked from entering hospital placements.
A survey conducted earlier this year found that one in four students are “threatened, abused, alarmed or distressed” for being pro-life at university in the UK.
SPUC’s Michael Robinson added: “Universities should be bastions of free speech, where differing opinions are explored and challenged.
“Unfortunately, at UK universities, those who identify as pro-life are being subject to censorship and discrimination. Universities must work harder to protect freedom of speech.”