The Cardinal Newman Society is questioning the Catholic integrity of Seattle University once again. The CNS posted an interview transcript conducted last week by The Spectator's Colleen Fontana. The interview, an exclusive with famed Seattle U drag show host Sylvia O'Stayformore, was posted on the Cardinal Newman Society blog under the heading "Catholic Identity Abuse."
The blog did not contain further explanation, only the verbatim text from The Spectator's interview. The Cardinal Newman Society did not return phone calls and was unavailable for comment.
O'Stayformore wasn't surprised there was a negative response; religious conservativism is something the host is familiar with. But even with religious communities there is usually room for diversity, according to O'Stayformore.
"There is usually a pocket of acceptance in every religion no matter how conservative it is," O'Stayformore said.
Originally a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, O'Stayformore is no stranger to religious conservatism; the fact that Seattle U is willing to support an event like a drag show comes as a welcome surprise to O'Stayformore.
"It's pretty amazing that it happened in a Jesuit college, and that [the show] is getting support. I don't think it's going to say that the college is going to be accepting all but its pretty eye opening," said O'Stayformore.
As far as the Cardinal Newman Society goes, O'Stayformore wasn't really surprised.
"I guess it is a passive aggressive way of saying they don't agree with it," O'Stayformore said.
Sylvia is a non-affiliate performer, so from her perspective the allegations against Seattle U. aren't personal.
For the Catholic community on campus, however, the assertion that Seattle U is somehow non-Catholic is personal.
"I believe whole-heartedly that Seattle University is thoroughly Catholic," said Director of Campus Ministry Mike Bayard, S.J..
And indeed, for many devout Catholics on campus the Seattle U experience is synonymous with a Catholic experience.
But Seattle U's brand of Catholicism doesn't seem to be of the same ilk as Cardinal Newman's brand of Catholicism.
"To be Catholic at Seattle University means to be inclusive. Our Catholicism recognizes that all faiths are welcome here,"
said Bayard.
So it would seem that the Seattle U community and the Cardinal Newman Society have some theological interpretative conflicts.
"It all depends on what your interpretation is," O'Stayformore said.
If it's a matter of authority, the Cardinal Newman Society is not actually part of the Church, except in that its members are members of the Church. They are not an order in the same way the Jesuits are .
They are for all intents and purposes, self-appointed authorities on what the word Catholic means.
"It's a group of Catholics who have come together and said this is what it means to be Catholic," Bayard said. The Cardinal Newman Society is not the only group criticizing Seattle U.
The TFP Student Action Group posted an article on their website titled "Repulsive Drag Show at Jesuit Seattle University." The article expresses outrage at the "moral depravity" of drag shows. But the TFP Student Action Group is also not an official church authority.
From the clergy's perspective, or at least the Jesuit perspective, things aren't so cut and dry.
"I don't think these issues are black and white, and they tend to be very black and white in their approach," said Bayard.
Still, even the Jesuits at Seattle U struggle with the more delicate issues of doctrine. Not all Jesuits agree , and many struggle to articulate their feelings on some of the more hot-button issues like homosexuality and abortion.
A drag show isn't necessarily the weighty issue the CNS is making it out to be.
"My understanding of a drag show is that it's men dressing up as women, now what is wrong with that?" said Bayard.
Emma may be reached at emcaleavy@su-spectator.com
is a member of the 
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