C-SPAN notified Saint Vincent College on Thursday that their network will be covering our student forum next week where you are invited to express your views on President Bush's visit to our campus for commencement next month.

I can understand their interest because I believe it is important for a liberal arts college to welcome discussions like this and for Catholic, Benedictine institutions of higher learning to keep a watchful eye over issues of mission and identity.

As you know, Archabbot Douglas invited the President of the United States because he feels our graduates and their families will benefit from hearing the leader of the free world share his thoughts about the issues of the day and the future. The invitation was in no way an endorsement of his politics or policies. The Iraq War in particular arouses deep passions among many Americans and public opinion polls show a nation deeply divided on this subject. I think it will be good for our students to voice their thoughts on this subject and others and learn the art of respectful dissent/assent. That is the beauty of our country - that our freedom of speech entitles us to express our views and challenge (or affirm) our elected officials both great and small.

So next Tuesday evening in the Carey lounge, we will have this historic campus discussion. Student Government representatives will allocate the time each student has to ensure to the extent possible fairness and a broad spectrum of opinion. I will open the gathering and answer any questions that you may have before the microphone is turned over to those students wishing to speak. As I said nine months ago upon my arrival as your president, I should be able to explain to you and defend any decision I make at Saint Vincent, including the College's decision to invite President Bush, and I will be prepared to do so on Tuesday. While I have heard from many excited parents and graduates who are thrilled with President Bush's acceptance of our invitation, I also have heard from some concerned students and alumni who wholeheartedly disagree with the College's decision to invite him.

Our graduating seniors have a great stake in this debate. Two weeks ago we had a forum on campus for them to raise questions about how the presence of President Bush on our campus will affect their graduation. It was held the day after the announcement that President Bush accepted our invitation. It was well-attended and very informative to me. Our town hall meeting next week is open to all students and not just the seniors. Members of the Saint Vincent College family – our Benedictine monks, faculty, administrators, and staff, are welcome to attend although the microphone will be reserved for the students.

In order to respect each student's right to express their views and be heard, we will seek to create an environment that is respectful and courteous. Archabbot Douglas will begin with prayer and then we’ll be underway. This won’t be Jerry Springer night, and it shouldn’t be. I will be there to listen and learn and close the proceeding. The evening will enrich the College by providing an opportunity for you to state your positions and defend them. If the nation's college campuses can not accommodate diversity of thought and opinion by students, then something is wrong.

Last week I joined Seton Hill president JoAnne Boyle at a forum convened by our local Bishop, Bishop Brandt, and this gathering focused on how our two great institutions of higher learning can promote academic excellence and freedom in a way that is faithful to our Catholic identity. Catholic University President Father David O'Connell was the keynote speaker and he gave a great talk and answered a multitude of questions from the joint assembly of faculty and administrators. What was clear to me from that discussion is that there will always be tension about who can come to a Catholic college or university and speak, and who can not. Many of you students turned out for a talk by the co-founder of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and while his own political views may be different from some of your own, his presence and talk were a blessing to the College. I am confident that President Bush will similarly enrich our College and that he will challenge our graduates to go out into the world and make a difference. Our beloved Congressman Murtha, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Tip O'Neill, and other commencement speakers in our history have done just that.

I hope to see you next Tuesday night, and please let our Dean of Students, Jamie Caridi, know if you plan to attend and speak - we want to make sure that we have a large enough room and a long enough program to accommodate all. He will be in touch with you soon on this. If you can’t come, you can watch it on C-SPAN or at another time on our in-house cable system.

Finally, on this glorious Easter Tuesday, my prayer is that the Risen Christ will brighten your life with His glory and peace. He is risen! Alleluia! Here in Latrobe, we had a mini "White Easter" and my kids kept looking through the flurries on Saturday and Sunday as if Santa's sleigh was on the way. Instead, they got a visit from the Archabbot himself who brought an Easter basket for them - and now the kids call him the "Archrabbit."

It is my prayer that your faith journey will reflect the sacred truth of Easter that Love Incarnate triumphs over sin and death and that you will immerse yourself in the fount of salvation. May the risen Christ's abiding peace reside in your heart and animate your life. Welcome back to classes!