Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica: Butker graduation speech divisive, doesn’t represent college’s values

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Providing a Catholic organization’s perspective on a college graduation speech that stirred controversy over the weekend, the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica weighed in on what they heard from the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro kicker Harrison Butker Sunday at Benedictine College.

“As a founding institution and sponsor of Benedictine College, the sisters of Mount St. Scholastica find it necessary to respond to the controversial remarks of [Butker] as commencement speaker,” the group said, establishing their motive for weighing in on the speech.

The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica established that they “do not believe that [Butker’s] comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that [their] founders envisioned and in which [they] have been so invested.”

“Instead of promoting unity in our church, our nation, and the world, his comments seem to have fostered division,” the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica said. 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.”

The sisters expanded on what the Benedictine community’s view in regard to the role of “homemaker.”

“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,” the sisters said. “We reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic. We are faithful members of the Catholic Church who embrace and promote the values of the Gospel, St. Benedict, and Vatican II and the teachings of Pope Francis.”

Speaking on the wider faith community the sisters touched on the importance of inclusivity.

“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,” the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica said.

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