Mount Saint Joseph University criticized for hosting President Biden town hall

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati says it is “unacceptable” for Mount Saint Joseph University to host a town hall meeting Wednesday night with President Joe Biden.

Following confirmation that the Catholic university is the site for the event, the anti-abortion organization sent an email asking people to call the school and Archbishop Dennis Schnurr in protest.

The message from Right to Life says the university “should be ashamed” to host President Biden.

“Respectfully request that the Archbishop stop this event from taking place and make a public statement about the gravity of the sin of abortion,” the email reads in part.

“We need [Archbishop Schnurr’s] leadership and his voice to stand up for the most innocent among us and to make it clear that President Biden is not a Catholic in good standing until he does all in his power to put an end to abortion.

“In this time of evil and confusion, we need the leadership and voices of good and faithful Catholic men,” the email concludes.

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati issued its own statement on President’s Biden visit.

The Archdiocese says Archbishop Schnurr was not contacted by anyone about the event coming to the university which operates under the sponsorship of the Sisters of Charity.

The statement went on to say Archbishop Schnurr would not have approved “for any such event to occur on Catholic premises.”

Mount Saint Joseph University said in a statement they have been, “and will continue to be a diverse and inclusive place where people from different races, ethnicities, social backgrounds, beliefs, and religions can come together to discuss and share their unique perspectives.”

The Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati is not alone in voicing displeasure regarding Mount Saint Joseph University hosting the CNN Town Hall.

Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes tweeted, “Fake Catholic President at fake Catholic college.”

Former chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party Tim Burke disagrees with Rhodes.

“Biden is a practicing Catholic,” Burke said. “Now folks can argue about his position on abortion rights, but he is a devout, practicing Catholic.”

Burke went on to say he thinks the visit is good for the university, recalling former President Bill Clinton’s trip to Xavier.

Rhodes said in another tweet, “It’s official. The Sisters of Charity are a disgrace.”

The Sisters of Charity, in a released statement, said the decision to hold the event at Mount Saint Joseph University was between CNN and the school.

“All decisions about the event are being made by CNN and MSJ and do not involve the Sisters of Charity,” the statement reads.

The Sisters of Charity also said they are “pleased” for the university to be selected as the host for the town hall.

Wednesday’s town hall will begin at 8 p.m. and is by invitation only.

Biden will also visit and IBEW hall training facility, according to White House Director of Message Planning Meghan Hayes.

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