A Catholic seminary in Los Angeles has canceled a lecture on the immortality of the soul by renowned Thomistic philosopher Edward Feser while simultaneously welcoming a controversial Jesuit priest to speak on LGBTQ ministry—exposing a glaring double standard that prioritizes progressive activism over traditional Catholic doctrine.
Story Snapshot
- St. John’s Seminary disinvited Edward Feser from speaking on the soul’s immortality after unnamed critics called him “too controversial”
- Fr. James Martin, a vocal LGBTQ advocate, is permitted to speak at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress on “LGBTQ Catholic Update 2026”
- The cancellation occurred under Archbishop José Gomez’s watch, raising questions about selective enforcement of doctrinal standards
- Conservative Catholics view this as censorship of orthodox teaching while progressive views receive institutional support
Seminary Cancels Orthodox Philosopher Under Pressure
St. John’s Seminary invited Edward Feser, a prominent Catholic philosopher and author of works including Five Proofs of the Existence of God, to deliver a lecture on the immortality of the soul in late February 2026. The seminary abruptly canceled the event after receiving complaints from unnamed critics who labeled Feser “too controversial.” On February 13, 2026, Feser announced the cancellation on his blog, expressing frustration that his defense of core Catholic doctrine was deemed unacceptable while progressive voices face no such scrutiny within the same archdiocese.
Catholic philosopher Edward Feser CANCELED for being “too controversial.”https://t.co/DPHKHFL6uu
— Sign of the Cross (@CatholicSOTC) February 16, 2026
Progressive Jesuit Receives Green Light for LGBTQ Ministry Event
While Feser’s lecture was shut down, Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest known for advocating LGBTQ inclusion in the Church, faces no obstacles speaking at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. His workshop, titled “Hope on the Horizon: LGBTQ Catholic Update 2026,” will address Catholic educators and youth as one of twelve session options. Martin’s position received apparent Vatican endorsement when Pope Leo XIV met with him on September 1, 2025, reportedly encouraging his ministry. This stark contrast highlights inconsistent standards in Archbishop Gomez’s archdiocese regarding what constitutes acceptable Catholic discourse.
Traditional Catholics See Doctrinal Double Standard
The cancellation reveals troubling priorities within Catholic institutional leadership. Feser’s lecture would have addressed the soul’s immortality, a fundamental Catholic teaching rooted in Thomistic philosophy and scripture. His disinvitation suggests that defending traditional doctrine now poses greater institutional risk than promoting progressive interpretations that challenge Church teaching on sexuality and gender. This undermines the seminary’s core mission of forming priests grounded in authentic Catholic theology. Traditional Catholics rightly question whether seminary leadership possesses the courage to uphold doctrinal integrity when facing internal liberal pressure.
Broader Implications for Catholic Education and Formation
This incident signals a concerning shift within American Catholic institutions toward prioritizing progressive “dialogue” over doctrinal clarity. Seminarians preparing for priesthood were denied the opportunity to engage with rigorous Thomistic philosophy defending the faith’s intellectual foundations. Meanwhile, educators receive training that potentially undermines Church teaching on human sexuality. The decision reflects broader post-Vatican II tensions between those advocating for traditional magisterial authority and progressives emphasizing pastoral accompaniment over doctrinal confrontation. Conservative Catholics recognize this pattern as institutional cowardice that weakens the Church’s witness to unchanging truth.
Catholic philosopher Edward Feser CANCELED for being “too controversial.”https://t.co/DPHKHFL6uu
— Sign of the Cross (@CatholicSOTC) February 16, 2026
Questions Remain About Decision-Makers and Motivations
St. John’s Seminary and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have issued no public explanation for Feser’s cancellation, leaving observers to speculate about the true motivations. Commenters suggest possible objections to Feser’s conservative political views, his support for capital punishment, or simply his unflinching defense of traditional Catholic teaching that progressives find uncomfortable. Archbishop Gomez holds canonical authority over seminary events but has remained silent. The absence of transparency fuels suspicion that institutional leaders lack principled justification for their decision, revealing an unwillingness to defend orthodox Catholic thought against internal opposition.
Sources:
Cancelled in L.A. – Edward Feser Blog
Cardinal Newman, Archbishop Fernández, and the ‘suspended magisterium’ thesis – Catholic World Report
Edward Feser’s lecture canceled by Catholic seminary – Free Republic
