St. Norbert College recently announced that Cardinal Francis George would serve as the commencement speaker for the graduation of the class of 2012. One would expect that after four years of being taught Norbertine values and communio, graduation would reflect such values.

Cardinal Francis George has openly compared the gay rights movement to the “Ku Klux Klan.” As a school that has taught its students how to respect and appreciate others for our differences, many students are outraged that he will be speaking at graduation.

Therefore, we respectfully ask St. Norbert College to choose a different commencement speaker. A speaker who will shine a positive light on St. Norbert College, its students, and our local community.

The St. Norbert College community is rooted in the Norbertine ideal of communio: teaching and demonstrating how to respect and trust others.

“Communio: Norbertine ideal characterized by mutual esteem, trust, sincerity, faith and responsibility. Communio is lived through open dialogue, communication, consultation and collaboration. Communio encourages us to respond individually and collectively to the needs of our local and global communities.”

We respect that St. Norbert College is a Catholic school and we understand and respect Catholicism's view on homosexuality; however, we find comparing the gay rights movement to such a hateful group as the KKK is atrocious. If you do not want Cardinal Francis George misrepresenting our school, if you do not want Norbertine values to be forgotten, if you do not want this offensive and disrespectful man to speak at St. Norbert graduation, please sign this petition.

Read more about Cardinal Francis George:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-22/business/chi-cardinal-under-fire-for-comparing-gay-rights-movement-to-klan-20111222_1_gay-rights-annual-gay-pride-parade-rights-and-civil-unions​

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2011/12/26/395013/cardinal-faces-pushback-for-comparing-gay-rights-movement-to-the-kkk/