Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the United States, has appointed Eduardo Peñalver as its next president. In past writings, Peñalver has publicly stated that he rejects the Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality.
In a 2014 essay for Commonweal, Peñalver wrote, “I reject the Church’s teachings on homosexuality, so I would favor an even easier way out by treating committed gay relationships as morally valuable.” He added that he views such relationships as expressions of love similar to marriage.
Peñalver, who previously served as dean of Cornell Law School, has also spoken in favor of LGBT causes and criticized pro-life legal decisions. He opposed the Trump administration’s policy barring transgender individuals from serving in the military, calling it an “unprecedented step backward.” He likewise condemned the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, claiming it would harm “vulnerable women and LGBTQ individuals.”
His appointment has drawn criticism from Catholic educators and organizations who argue that Georgetown has long departed from its Catholic identity. The Cardinal Newman Society, which promotes faithful Catholic education, noted that Church documents such as Ex Corde Ecclesiae require a Catholic university president to uphold Church teachings and foster a strong Catholic mission.
Discussion about this post