Outrage as Catholic University erected CROSSES on their own property ends with call to Freedom From Religion Foundation

'I think they are overstepping their sense of ecumenism to shove these crosses in our faces.'

Villanova University is a Catholic institution in Villanova, PA. A new, partially-public-funded bridge will be installed on the property, prompting some to reach out to notorious hate group Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Board of Commissioners of the township of Radnor voted 6-0 in February to approve the pedestrian bridge connecting Villanova University's main campus to an expansion of the property.

The erection of the bridge is not a concern, it is the design for the bridge that has the university's neighbors complaining.

Part of the design includes two 4'7" crosses to be placed atop either side of the bridge.

Local taxpayers felt the public road shouldn't have crosses but supporters claim the bridge is being built on school property and is therefore allowed to show as many religious symbols as it wants.

Sara Pilling, a neighbor of the school, told Philly.com, "I think they are overstepping their sense of ecumenism to shove these crosses in our faces."

Reverend Peter Donohue, the university's president, stated: "On every building on campus, there's a cross. I understand people's sensitivities, but it's just something we've always done. It's just part of who we are. We are a faith-based institution."

Prior to the board meeting, Richard Booker, one of the seven commissioners, claimed the town didn't have the jurisdiction to offer an opinion as it isn't on public property.

"I'm surprised how little authority we would have to regulate in this instance," he stated.

The bridge is to be built over a state road, which has created much controversy.

The university will receive $4.5 million in state funding for the project, which will cost a total of $285 million to erect.

Villanova spokesman Jonathan Gust reported the university will be making a multi-million-dollar contribution and once the bridge is complete, it will be owned and maintained by the university.

Commissioner Luke Clark said the bridge would help hundreds of students, who cross the public road each day, safely reach the university.

Clark added: "The design looks great. The crosses are going to go up there. Is it right or wrong? I don't know. But at the end of the day it is on their property. They are a religious institution and the law for the most part is in their favor."

Locals who wanted to take things a step further reached out to FFRF, which wrote a "strongly worded letter" to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming they were going against the Constitution to fund Christian symbols on the bridge.

The letter made a ridiculous demand, saying PennDOT should either remove the crosses or their funding.

PennDOT cannot control how the university spends its money or what to do with its property so they have ignored the letter.

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