Public Pagan gives benediction at Catholic university

BALTIMORE — Shelly “Raven” Mohnkern, an eclectic pantheist, gave the benediction at the graduation ceremony of Loyola University this year. Mohnkern had majored in clinical health counseling and spiritual integration/pastoral counseling, and received a master’s of science degree. In late May, the Wild Hunt spoke with her via email. At first, Mohnkern had some concerns about marginalization at Loyola. She was not, however, willing to hide herself and her beliefs.

Pagan Community Notes: Dana Eilers, Oroville Dam, Holli Emore and more!

CAPE COD, Mass. — Word spread quickly this weekend that Pagan and Witch Dana Eilers had died unexpectedly. Born Sept. 15, 1956 in North Chatham, Mass, Eilers spent much of her adult life using her knowledge and skills to assist the growing Pagan community in its quest for religious freedom. Eilers held a law degree from the New England School of Law and spent more than 17 years practicing in the states of Missouri and Illinois.

Jesuit University in Chicago approves Pagan club

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — In a move that has raised eyebrows — and some ire — in the online Catholic community, Loyola University of Chicago recognized a student group that promotes Paganism. The club was approved by the university’s student government, a step which is necessary in many colleges to become eligible for funding and for the use of school buildings, not the school’s administration. When the administration became aware of its existence, the club was told to remove “Pagan” from its name. Administrators were apparently unaware of the new club until the story was picked up by the national news site The College Fix. That’s the story as told by club founder and president Jill Kreider:
I started the club in the hopes of letting people know that there are Pagan students on campus.