Maroon

              The Loyola MAROON Volume 71 No. 3 Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 September 11,1992 Laurato ruckus sets LU ablaze By William P. Mountain and Courtney Sullivan Staff writers Loyola accuses student of setting fire outside Pub Michael Laurato, the student who tangled with Residential Life for refusing to show his card-key last year, was suspended for the fall semester for allegedly setting Tire to some fliers on a billboard July 9. Laurato, who attended summer classes at Loyola, was allegedly spotted with a friend in the basement of the Danna Center burning fliers on a bulletin board near the entrance to the Wolf Pub. Vincent Knipfing, vice president for Student Affairs, suspended Laurato. Laurato sent an appeal to the Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., university president. Carter ruled to uphold the supension. Both Knipfing and Carter refused to comment on the suspension.Laurato said he consulted an attorney from New Orleans. He said he also is in the process of filing suit against the university -with the help of his attorney in Tampa. Laurato's attorney could not be reached for comment. Public Safety's report The following are the events surrounding Laurato's alleged crime according to Public Safety reports: When Mike Sylvester, advisor to the University Programming Board, walked out of the his office on July 9, he witnessed Laurato setting fire to some notices posted on the bulletin board located near the entrance of the Wolf Pub. "Mr. Sylvester stated that after he called Michael Laurato by name he and an unknown white/male ran up the north stairs to make good their escape," the report states. The incident occured at 6:03 p.m. Sylvester returned to his office and contacted Public Safety officer Hunter via radio at approximately 6:08 p.m. and asked the officer to meet him in the bottom of the Danna Center basement near the Pub entrance. Hunter then arrived at the scene and took down Sylvester's eyewitness account. He searched the campus for the supects, but could not find them. The report lists the alleged crime as criminal mischief. Sandy T. Gavin, Public Safety investigator, said the crime is in violation of Louisiana Statute 59, which refers to the destruction of property.Two fliers allegedly burned by Laurato—one a voter registration campaign flier, the other a word processing advertisement— were filed as evidence in the alleged crime. A supplemental report filed with Public Safety July 10 states that Sylvester notified Public Safety that Laurato, wearing a tan shirt and dark pants, was walking from the Danna Center towards the Recreational Complex and Parking Garage. Gavin, assisted by officers G. Fernandez, C. Potter, and "other members of the Department of Public Safety" went to the fifth floor of the Rec Plex and searched the gym for Laurato. Fernandez located Laurato on the basketball court, then notified Gavin of Laurato's location. Gavin arrived and told Laurato he was "the subject of a complaint which was filed on 7- 9-92" and that he had been identified as "the person who was setting fires in the basement of the Danna Center." Gavin then asked Laurato to accompany him to the Public Safety office. Gavin and Laurato arrived at theoffice at approximately 1:57 p.m. When Gavin explained the alleged violation, Laurato denied doing anything. Laurato became emotional during the interview and "stated that all he wanted was the issue to be resolved immediately." When Gavin explained that the process would involve the Office of Student Affairs, Laurato said he did not want the matter to go to Student Affairs. "Mr. Laurato stated that he would plead cupable if the matter was resolved in the office of Public Safety," the report states. Cuddle softly and carry a big stick—Sean Sirker, criminology senior, and Danny Borest, S.J. of Jesuit High School practice Aikedo in the Residential Quad./ Photo by Alan Choate. Vatican issues statement on gay legislation By Charles Lussier Managing Editor The recent brouhaha surrounding a statement released July 23 by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which opposes legislation aimed at completely eliminating discrimination against homosexuals has exposed growing division within the Catholic Church about what its proper stance should be on this confusing and controversial issue. The Rev. James C. Carter, S.J.,university president, said, "I was more puzzled than anything else. It's just not consistent with my understanding of the Gospels." Letters from students on both sides of the issue have filled the Maroon's editorial pages. The statement comes almost exactly a year after the formation and chartering of Loyola's first homosexual support group. Gay And Lesbian Outreach At Loyola. Ly Nguyen, president of GOAL, said, "I don't even look at it in terms of a gay and lesbian issue, I look it as a human issue and for the Church to say it's OK to discriminate against gays and lesbians is to treat them as if they're not even human." The Rev. Stephen Rowntree, associate professor of philosophy, said he can see where people would have a problem with the statement. "This is not an affirming or positive statement from the Church to people who are homosexuals due to circumstances beyond their control," Rowntree said. The document is a set of observations and recommendations to Catholic officials living in areas subject to anti-discrimination legislation. It is not as authoritative as an encyclical straight from the Pope such as Humanae Vilae, which argued against artificial birth control, or a pastoral letter such as the American Bishops' letter on the U.S. economy which was issued during the early 1980s. Nonetheless, to many Catholics it is a disturbing signal from a Church which seemed to be undergoing a gradual ideological shift on the issue. Carter said he hadn't even seen a copy of the statement—he didn't know anyone else at Loyola who had either—and was uncertain about its specific contents, but said it had no specific ramifications for Loyolaor for Catholic colleges and universities. "If the Vatican has a message for us, they have our fax number. We don't need to have them to talk to us through The Times- Picayune." The statement gives only a few specific instances of discrimination that should be exempt from non-discrimination laws. Instances cited include "the adoption of children, the employment of teachers, the housing needs of genuine families, landlords' legitimate concerns in screening potential tenants... Other cited examples include employment of athletic coaches and military recruitment. A few principles underline the document: • Homosexual activity is "intrinsically disordered" and "in no case to be approved of." • The homosexual orientation is not sinful in and of itself, yet "it is more or less a strong tendency inclined toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder." • Hate crimes and any "violent malice in speech or in action" against homosexual persons should always be condemned. • Homosexuality does not deserve the same sort of legal con- See Vatican/ page 6. See Laurato/ page 4 sdfasdf