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Victory for Prof. Howell: Fired U of I Professor Vindicated, Will Teach Catholicism Class

U of I says Kenneth Howell will continue as adjunct professor

A university cannot censor professors' speech--including classroom speech related to the topic of the class--merely because certain ideas 'offend' an anonymous student. We greatly appreciate the university's move to put Professor Howell back in the classroom, but we will be watching carefully to make sure that his academic freedom is protected throughout the university's ongoing process.

Dr. Ken Howell.

Dr. Ken Howell.

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - (Alliance Defense Fund) - The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana confirmed to Alliance Defense Fund attorneys Thursday that it will once again allow popular professor Dr. Kenneth Howell to teach on Catholicism after recently firing him for explaining the Roman Catholic Church' position on human sexual behavior to members of his class.

ADF attorneys representing Howell sent a letter to university officials on July 12 explaining that the university's actions violated his rights protected by the First Amendment and asked that he be reinstated.

"A university cannot censor professors' speech--including classroom speech related to the topic of the class--merely because certain ideas 'offend' an anonymous student. We greatly appreciate the university's move to put Professor Howell back in the classroom, but we will be watching carefully to make sure that his academic freedom is protected throughout the university's ongoing process," said ADF Senior Counsel David French.

A letter from the University of Illinois Office of University Counsel admits no wrongdoing on the part of the university but states, "The School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics will be contacting Dr. Howell to offer him the opportunity to teach Religion 127, Introduction to Catholicism, on a visiting instructional appointment at the University of Illinois, for the fall 2010 semester. Dr. Howell will be appointed and paid by the University for this adjunct teaching assignment."

The letter then adds that a university committee will continue its investigation of Howell's situation.

Howell, who had been teaching at the university since 2001, was relieved of his teaching duties based in part on an anonymous complaint sent via e-mail to university officials. The e-mail was sent by the friend of an anonymous student who claimed to be "offended" by a May 4 e-mail Howell sent to students elaborating on a class discussion concerning Catholic beliefs about sexual behavior.

The May 4 e-mail from Howell addressed a May 3 lecture in which he explained how the Roman Catholic Church distinguishes between same-sex attraction and homosexual conduct. He accurately stated the church's teaching that homosexual conduct is morally wrong, framing the issue in the context of natural moral law.


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ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

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12 Comments

  1. Lisa
    July 29th, 2010 3:24 pm

    This is wonderful news. Deacon Fournier, this shows the power of one individual (you and others raised awareness), the power of a few (those who filed petitions) and the power of many (a university who overturned a decision in order to do the right thing). What a victory for Catholicism and freedom of speech.

  2. Christine
    July 29th, 2010 5:43 pm

    HURRAY! This is so important for the right to speak our faith. Other than the ND-88, I can't think of a sadder thing that has happened to religious freedom in my lifetime than the removal of this professor.

  3. Rita
    July 29th, 2010 6:35 pm

    For one, I am very grateful for the Alliance Defense Fund and for what they have accomplished for Dr. Howell, and for Christian freedom in the US. This is no small victory, as we are all preparing for hard times ahead as we cope with an "education" system, its curriculum, and a teachers union that is broadly godless, marxist, and unencumbered, from elementary through university. There is no sign the campus tyranny will end, and nothing being done to regain even a balance, not to hope for an education available at our founding, designed to keep a republic. May God bless Dr. Howell, and the ADF.

  4. Matthias
    July 30th, 2010 1:17 am

    congratulations prof. Howell and Alliance Defense Fund! Thank you for defending our Christian faith.

  5. Diane
    July 30th, 2010 2:23 am

    This is a victory for religious freedom and especially for academic freedom. If a college hires professors to explain the teachings of the various religions then those professore have to teach exactly what those religions say they believe about things. Professor Howell gave a true presentation of what the Catholic Church says it believes about marriage, therefor he did his job well. If he personally believes those teachings himself that is his right to do so. If homosexuals disagree then let them go to other classes, no one is forcing them to attend.

  6. Bulbajer
    July 30th, 2010 3:28 am

    Yes!

  7. J. Bob
    July 30th, 2010 7:02 am

    This was an important win for religious freedom, but the war is not over. What is questionable is the UofI taking away control from the Newman center (i.e. salary). It is possible that at some future date UofI may decide to get a new professor, more in line with their thinking, and subvert true Catholic teaching. Never happened before? Remember Nazi Germany.

  8. Jo
    July 30th, 2010 9:47 am

    Our Lady of Revelation - pray for us!

  9. Rob
    July 30th, 2010 11:05 am

    But can someone please do a follow up story as to why the local bishop or affected clergy were not standing up for this man. Based on other news accounts, it seems like they slammed the door in his face when he asked for their help.

  10. Johnny
    July 30th, 2010 12:44 pm

    Thank God and I hope the Catholic leaders repented of there behavior. As for the student or students that did this horrible act should be dealt with severely. We Christians must stand up strong and show people that God works powefully with Catholic Christians.

  11. vance
    August 9th, 2010 1:58 pm

    A standing ovation for the Alliance Defense Fund and for their victory. I have the same questions as Rob has about the Bishop and clergy members who threw Prof Howell under the bus. We all need to keep a close eye on these folks.

  12. Pam
    September 5th, 2010 10:11 am

    Yes, thanks to the wonderful work the Alliance Defense Fund Attorneys are doing.... They need our ongoing support because, as a nation, we have set out on the path of outright religious persecution in our country--most especially directed to the Catholic Church and those who endeavor to be faithful to the natural law. We see this form of "white"persecution popping up all over the country. We may not be burned at the stake, but people already are being taunted, even fired from their jobs (or just leaving them), and/or taken to court rather than deny their faith. There is an old saying: "The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians;" there is also something called "white martyrdom."--The latter is what we are mostly seeing and will see more of--until our nation wakes up to the reality that you cannot violate the Natural Law and expect to flourish--and so turns back to being a people of "religion and virtue"--like what John Adams spoke. (Do you hear anything about "virtue" today from our President and most of the others (the three branches of government) laying down the law for us all to follow? Is "virtue" taught anywhere in our public schools anymore?

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