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William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, immediately called out the university’s leadership for allowing what he described as religious bigotry to go unchecked.
In a strongly worded letter sent on June 2 to Professor Felix Olschofka, director of the Glenn Korff School of Music, Donohue didn’t hold back.
“A serious act of anti-Catholic bigotry.”
“It viciously mocked the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”
The university’s response? Silence.
No Apology, No Response, No Accountability
Not only has the school failed to issue a public apology, but officials haven’t even acknowledged the Catholic League’s concerns. According to Donohue, neither the university nor Professor Olschofka has replied to the formal complaint.
“It is highly unlikely that such complaints are ignored… files are typically kept on such matters,” Donohue told The Fix.
But that silence could come at a very high cost.
Donohue isn’t just venting. He’s taken the next step by filing a complaint with the Higher Learning Commission—the body responsible for accrediting the University of Nebraska. If the Commission chooses to act, the university could face the unthinkable: losing its accreditation.
Without that stamp of approval, the school would be in freefall. Federal aid would disappear, degrees would be devalued, and the university’s reputation could collapse overnight.
Exposing the Double Standard in Higher Ed
Critics argue that if any other religion had been targeted in such a vulgar way, the university would have immediately shut it down.
Peter Kwasniewski, a Catholic author and music scholar, called out the hypocrisy.
“Who approved this mockery or applauded it should be called upon to resign their positions.”
He added:
“Mocking Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism would have been vetoed by the faculty… instant furor.”
It’s a familiar pattern—Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, often find themselves singled out for mockery under the false banner of academic freedom.
Author and theologian Eric Gould didn’t mince words either, asking why the student chose to mock the Mass instead of trying a similar stunt with Islamic traditions.
“Why not perform a surah of Muhammad in drag?”
Diocese, Donors, and Conservatives Take Notice
The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln has also condemned the performance. Dennis Kellogg, a spokesman for the Diocese, told The Fix that the diocese is “certainly upset” over what took place.
Conservative organizations and Catholic watchdogs have begun spotlighting the controversy, bringing added pressure on the University of Nebraska’s administration.
Meanwhile, the student behind the project, Willette, defended his performance on Instagram, calling it a “queer spiritual ritual.” He acknowledged the backlash and told his followers not to read articles criticizing the performance.
“Do not seek out these publications.”
In other words—he wants the freedom to mock Catholics but doesn’t want the public to hear about it.
Nebraska’s Silent Treatment May Backfire
What started as a deeply offensive student recital could soon turn into a full-blown academic crisis. The university’s refusal to address the issue—or even acknowledge it—has sparked national outrage.
Donohue, who spent over a decade as a college professor and served on the board of the National Association of Scholars, warned that academic freedom must not be used as a shield for hatred.
“It is open to abuse… trashing a world religion.”
He noted that no university would allow a similar performance targeting Jewish or Muslim beliefs “as part of fulfilling course requirements.”
But when it’s Christianity in the crosshairs, silence reigns.
Final Thoughts
The University of Nebraska now faces a critical choice: continue stonewalling and risk their academic credibility—or take a hard look at the double standards infecting their institution.
Because sometimes silence isn’t neutral—it’s complicity.
