Catholic bishop has doubts about Jackson Lab of Florida

This is not a good day for the supporters of the Jackson Lab deal, which is an IMMORAL and UNDEMOCRATIC bail out of the Monaghan-Barron Collier Ave Maria experiment.

For readers that may just be getting acquainted with this moral and economic scandal – Tom Monaghan and Nicholas J. Healy, Jr., — chancellor and president of Ave Maria University, respectively, have embraced the proposed coming of the Jackson Lab to Ave Maria. The Jackson Lab’s activities include holding “workshops” and providing “resources” for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research. Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research is strictly condemned by the Roman Catholic Church.

The proposed opening of a Jackson Lab facility in Ave Maria has been a joint effort by Monaghan, Ave Maria University, Barron Collier Companies and the Economic Development Council– working with other local entities that seek to expand the economic vision of Collier County.

The Board of Collier County Commissioners may try to finance the Jackson Lab’s move to Ave Maria through taxpayer funding, without a public vote. Polls show that 82% of Collier County citizens oppose any taxpayer funding for the Jackson Lab’s move to Ave Maria.

Of additional concern is the fact that the Catholic faculty at Ave Maria University has shown no public opposition to this moral and financial scandal, nor have the Catholic residents of Ave Maria– with the exception of this writer.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice in Florida, is letting the public know that he is very concerned about the Jackson Lab, and whether it can provide authentic human and economic development.

Bishop Dewane’s concerns about the moral and ethical questions surrounding the Jackson Lab, casts a shadow of doubt on the credibility of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, which gave Monaghan a stamp of approval, so that he could proceed with making land available for the Jackson Lab.

The question is– why didn’t Monaghan seek the guidance of the local Bishop, instead?

Seeking the guidance of his local Bishop, one who sits on the Board of Trustees of Ave Maria University, could have stopped this Jackson Lab fiasco from happening. A fiasco which could have profound repercussions, not just for the residents of Ave Maria, but because of the burden it could place on taxpayers of Collier County, for many years to come.

But, was Monaghan prepared to hear and accept the statement below?

Bishop Dewane’s solid background in the world of business, and active participation on matters ranging from the environment to economic development, brings to the table not just moral and ecclesiastical authority as a prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, but an authentic voice based on experience.

Marielena Montesino de Stuart is the editor of Roman Catholic World.

The following statement from the Diocese of Venice in Florida was issued through the Office of Communications:

While the Catholic Diocese of Venice in Florida is aware of the potential economic benefits of any company coming to the region, there are other questions which have a profound moral and ethical impact that must also be considered. Indeed, moral and ethical questions are at the very core of what constitutes truly authentic human and economic development. Authentic human and economic development, in keeping with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, highlights not only the ‘wants’ of life, but more profoundly, the ‘oughts.’ This is also the case with regard to The Jackson Laboratory’s proposal to operate in Collier County.

Jackson Laboratory’s purported association with and openness to human embryonic stem cell research causes the Diocese of Venice concern. Of particular note is a public statement made by the company that they are “not willing to rule out doing human embryonic stem cell research” (Naples Daily News, April 10, 2010).

People knowledgeable of stem cell research and therapy are aware that adult stem cell research has led to more medical advances and promise than that of human embryonic stem cell studies. The Catholic Church does support research using adult stem cells taken from a variety of sources. However, as is well known, since work on human embryonic stem cells involves the destruction of innocent human life, the Church does not approve of such research.

While encouraging and supporting biomedical research which respects innocent human life and advances the common good and in keeping fully with the Teachings of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Venice has ethical and moral concerns as regards the potential activities at the proposed Jackson Laboratory facility.

Economic growth and development are not only components which impact the life of a community. An organization which truly respects the rights of all human beings could and should “rule out” human embryonic stem cell research. This is precisely because it involves the destruction of innocent human life and consequently, affects the community. Without such an understanding, the plan of Jackson Laboratory, as it has been reported, presents difficulty for the Diocese of Venice in Florida.

Sincerely,

Bob Reddy

Diocese of Venice in Florida