The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica issued a statement via multiple outlets publicly criticizing Harrison Butker for his bigoted graduation speech.
The sisters released a scathing statement in which they condemned the Kansas City Chief's kicker for his commencement speech in which he railed against abortion, called Pride month a "deadly sin" and told women that the most important role they can hold is that of a "homemaker."
In their statement, the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, a "founding institution and sponsor" of Benedictine College, called out Butker for "fostering division" instead of "promoting unity."
The statement began:
“The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested."
“Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division."
It continued, acknowledging the work and impact of the unmarried women of the church.
"One of our concerns was the assertion that being a homemaker is the highest calling for a woman."
"We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women whom we have taught and influenced during the past 160 years."
"These women have made a tremendous difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.”
“Our community has taught young women and men not just how to be ‘homemakers’ in a limited sense, but rather how to make a Gospel-centered, compassionate home within themselves where they can welcome others as Christ, empowering them to be the best versions of themselves."
"We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic.”
Their statement finished by recognizing the "inclusive, welcoming" values of the college.
"We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1500 years and have spread through every continent and nation. We believe those values are the core of Benedictine College."
"We thank all who are supportive of our Mount community and the values we hold. With St. Benedict, we pray, 'Let us prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he lead us all together to life everlasting.'"
People on social media applauded the nuns for putting Butker in his rightful place.
The Nuns of Benedictine College have released a statement regarding the Commencement Speech of Harrison Butker.
If any "Christian" men have issues with the Sisters statement go argue with the wall. pic.twitter.com/BhOpd4t9Oe
— LilShadow (@Ms_LilShadow) May 17, 2024
As a Christian man, totally agree. I personally believe that we all have our own callings and can serve in many ways, regardless of race or gender. Basically if you’ve got the gift, use it.
— Derrick Marsee (@DerrickMarseeWx) May 17, 2024
WOW!!! 😳😳😳
When you managed to piss off the Benedict nuns...
Yeaaaaaaaaaaa...is he definitely going to be getting the many days that he deserves.
— pinkprincessinthecity🌸🏙️🧳👩🏻🎨👩🏻🔬👩🏻🏫 (@pinkprincessin1) May 17, 2024
Go nuns!
— Maestro (@Maestro4Maestro) May 17, 2024
Thank you, as someone with 12 years of catholic school, including an all girls high school, no member of the catholic order I met would have supported those values. They were proud to be educating a generation of women to become leaders and accomplished professionals.
— IHateItHere (@MarvelousRuins) May 17, 2024
Good for the Sisters. They didn’t have to say anything, but their integrity and commitment to a more authentic faith led them to do so. Faith and Catholicism are not the problem. As the Sisters said, it’s a narrow (and I’ll add false) vision of faith that’s hurtful and harmful.
— David Cooper (@DCoop20148) May 17, 2024
im with them;)😇 pic.twitter.com/c4SgftHWmF
— McKenzie ⸆⸉ 🌊 (@MidnightRainMac) May 17, 2024
And THAT is how you stand strong in your faith, sisters. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— nmjhill (@NMJHill) May 17, 2024
“Sisters are doing it for themselves” 🎶 pic.twitter.com/J8qcklD4Mk
— Steph🐲 (@Legalpumpkin) May 17, 2024
As a graduate of a catholic liberal arts college, I assumed we'd get a statement from the nuns. They take their mentorship of young women seriously and for this clown to disrespect their work wasn't going to go unchecked
— Rai Booker (@raibooker03) May 17, 2024
BOOM! Mic drops
— sandy rath (@sandyrath) May 17, 2024
Thank you for your quick reaction to this man’s speech.
— Judith Soriano (@1970_soriano) May 17, 2024
In a statement released Thursday, Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said:
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity."
“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
"The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”