Yesterday I watched video of part of a commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. FYI: Benedictine College is a small (just over 2000 students), rural (located on bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, northwest of Kansas City, Missouri), Catholic college.
The commencement speaker was Harrison Butker, who is the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. One might ask why Harrison Butker who is but a kicker. Why not get a big star to give this address?
Well the answer is probably twofold. First, Harrison Butker is a very good speaker, and second he is a Catholic. He does not just proclaim to be Catholic, but speaks and acts like a real Catholic … this in contradistinction to Joe Biden who says that he is Catholic, but acts otherwise.
Harrison Butker not only talks the talk, but walks the walk … again contradistinction to the pseudo-Catholic in the White House. He gave his views on women becoming wives and mothers. He came right out and called abortion evil, called DEI misguided, and called homosexuality wrong. It was a good speech, and without question he wrote it himself. He didn’t first check to see which way the wind was blowing or what the polls were indicating.
Of course the left attacked him for his speech. However, despite his speech receiving major backlash from liberals and far-left feminists, Butker’s jersey is in high demand among fans on the NFL’s website and others.
What about the graduating students at Benedictine College? … the group to whom this commencement speech was directed?
From The Loop by Benedictine graduating senior, Shelby Bland:
“Benedictine College is unapologetically Catholic. This shouldn’t be a shock to anyone who has spent at least 30 seconds looking at their website or Instagram. There has never been any attempt to hide or shy away from our identity. Rather, the college is proud to nurture traditional Catholic values.
As a young woman and a Benedictine student, I am proud of my college for its unashamed faith. It is a haven for young people, like me, who have not always felt accepted for what we believe and who often have to defend our views.
Knowing this about my school, it didn’t come as a surprise to me when Benedictine asked Harrison Butker, an outspoken traditional Catholic, to give the commencement speech at this year’s graduation.”
She subsequently gave the speech a good review.
If you are interested in hearing a good commencement address, I suggest that you listen to Harrison Butker speaking from his heart.
In many ways it was better than what I often hear on Sunday. Perhaps Harrison Butker missed his calling!
5/18/24