The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica spoke out against Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement address at Benedictine College, saying they “reject a narrow definition of what it means to be Catholic” and “insist that the highest calling for a woman is to be a homemaker . . .”
During a commencement speech at a Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas, Kansas City principals addressed gender ideologies and said a girl’s most important title is “homemaker.” He cited the month of Pride as an example of “deadly sins” and said he wanted the graduating class to stop political leaders from meddling in social issues that affect their relationship with the church.
In a statement released Friday, the Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica said, “We do not believe that what Harrison Butker said in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represents a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college invested in.
“Instead of fostering unity in our church, nation and world, his views seem to have fostered division. … We sisters have dedicated our lives to God and God’s people, including the many women we have taught and influenced over the past 160 years. These women have made a huge difference in the world in their roles as wives and mothers and through their God-given gifts in leadership, scholarship, and their careers.
According to the Mount St. Scholastica website, the Benedictine Sisters are the founding institution and sponsor of Benedictine College.
Budger’s jersey sales have skyrocketed since his 20-minute speech. The women’s jersey, which retails for $129.99, is out of stock at the official Chiefs Pro Shop. His men’s jersey is one of the top sellers on NFLshop.com, listed as “Most Popular of the Kansas City Chiefs.”
The chiefs declined to comment when reached by Thursday Athletic, but Tavia Hunt, wife of head owner Clark Hunt, posted pictures of herself with her daughters on Instagram on Friday. Photo listing the pros and cons of stay-at-home parenting and a screenshot from the Institute for Family Studies website “Who’s Happy? Married Mothers and Fathers, According to the Latest General Social Survey.”
In the post, she said, “I will always encourage my daughters to pursue higher education and chase their dreams. … But I want them to know that I believe one of the greatest blessings this world has to offer is finding a partner who loves and respects you as much as you do, or before, and raising a family together.
Hunt added: “I would also caution against taking things out of context.”
Davia Hunt, center, and Clark Hunt, right, at the 2023 Super Bowl. (Christian Peterson/Getty Images)
The NFL distanced itself from Budkar’s comments in his speech. NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Bean said in a statement Athletic Bhatkar delivered the speech “in his personal capacity”.
“His comments are not the NFL as an organization. The NFL stands firm in our commitment to inclusion, which makes our league stronger,” Beane said. His report was first reported by People.
Legendary college football coach and television analyst Lou Holtz thanked Butker on Thursday for X for “standing strong in your faith values.”
“Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and hope, and I appreciate that,” Holtz wrote, then attached a form from America First Works that people signed to thank Budger for his comments.
(Photo by Harrison Butker: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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