Catholic College Bars Gay Recruiting

St. Edward's, a Catholic liberal arts college in Austin, has barred the gay rights group Equality Texas from participating in a campus volunteer fair scheduled for Wednesday.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, Equality Texas was banned from participating in the fair because its support for marriage equality conflicts with Catholic Church teaching.

"By requesting participation in the volunteer fair, Equality Texas is asking the university's Office of Campus Ministry to facilitate recruitment of students for work that includes advocacy for same-sex marriage," said St. Edward's officials in a statement quoted by the Statesman. "This is not something we can agree to."

The school added that students are free to choose on their own to volunteer for Equality Texas.

According to the Statesman, about 28 groups are expected to participate in the volunteer fair, including the Girl Scouts of Central Texas, Meals on Wheels and More, and the American Cancer Society. Equality Texas said it had never been rejected from a campus recruiting fair prior to this incident.

St. Edward's does allow a gay rights group called Pride to operate on campus because the group revolves around pastoral outreach and not advocacy, according to the school.