The Cardinal Newman Society has called on FairfieldUniversity in Fairfield, Conn., to cancel Friday’s Ludacris concert, because the rap artist’s profane, violent and sexually explicit lyrics are inconsistent with a Jesuit Catholic education.

“What makes a Catholic university unique is the moral formation and Christian education it provides to its students,” wrote Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), in a letter today to the president of Fairfield University, Jesuit Father Jeffrey von Arx.  “There is no excuse for ‘entertainment’ on a Catholic campus that demeans women, celebrates promiscuity and promotes violence.”

In its mission statement, FairfieldUniversity claims to foster “ethical and religious values and a sense of social responsibility.”  Nevertheless, the university has promised a whopping $85,500 for to bring Ludacris to campus; despite a concert budget of only $33,000, the university hopes the remainder will be covered by ticket sales.

In 2002, following criticism by Fox News Channel host Bill O’Reilly, Pepsi dropped Ludacris from its advertisements with an apology noting that “not all [artists] are compatible with our brands and what consumers have come to expect from us.”  In 2006, talk show host Oprah Winfrey joined in the criticism of Ludacris for rap lyrics that “marginalize women.”

“If Ludacris is not compatible with Pepsi’s values and corporate image, why is he performing at a Catholic university?” Reilly asked.  CNS has called upon Father von Arx to immediately cancel the production.

The concert will occur even as CNS urges Catholic colleges to cancel the lewd and offensive play The Vagina Monologues, scheduled to be performed on 19 Catholic campuses in February and March.  This is the seventh year CNS has protested The Vagina Monologues on Catholic campuses, reducing the number of performances from a peak of 32 in 2003.

The Fairfield concert also comes just weeks before Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States, including an April 17 address to the presidents of all American Catholic colleges that many anticipate will repeat the Vatican’s calls for the renewal of Catholic education.