In Friday's St. Louis Review (subscription required), I learned that Archbishop Burke received a reply from Fr. Biondi (president of St. Louis University) outlining St. Louis University's take on embryonic stem cell research (see my earlier posts for more background):
"Father Biondi’s letter gave me every assurance that St. Louis University has never been involved with embryonic research, and they have no intention of being involved," said the archbishop.
In addition, Archbishop Burke said, Father Biondi "agrees he’s completely coherent with the Church’s teaching with regard to the moral objectionability of embryonic stem-cell research."
Now, what remains to be seen is whether or not Fr. Biondi himself continues to uphold the dignity of all human life in his own actions. He has outlined the University's take on embryonic research and his comprehension of the Church's teaching—now I hope he will express his understandings visibly, through his words and actions, in our region.