University of Nebraska apologizes for doctoral student’s blasphemous ‘drag Mass’

(LifeSiteNews) — University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold apologized for a drag performance that mocked the Catholic Mass as part of a student’s doctoral dissertation.

The performance reportedly imitated various parts of the Mass, including the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. 

After the offensive mockery of the Mass came to light, Bishop James Conley of the Diocese of Lincoln condemned the performance.

“The recent report that a University of Nebraska-Lincoln doctoral student produced an orchestrated drag performance mocking the Catholic Mass is both disturbing and appalling,” Conley wrote.

“Such a blatant public display of faith-based discrimination that led to the student earning a doctorate degree reflects poorly on the University of Nebraska, its faculty and our community,” the bishop added.

Conley’s statement referred to an April 12, 2025, performance devised by Michael Joseph Willette, for his final recital in his doctorate in music.

Willette’s performance was titled “Mass of Perpetual Indulgence” and featured a drag performer mimicking actions of the Catholic Mass. The title also bears a striking correlation to the blasphemous drag performers dubbed the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” whose events have been widely protested by Catholics in recent summers.

Now, a full year after the performance, Gold met with Conley to apologize and provide updates on the school’s investigation into the controversy, according to a report by The College Fix. 

“President Gold said the university system is taking an overall approach to addressing ethical concerns on campus,” Conley wrote in an update posted Friday, according to The College Fix. “He told me incidents like the mock ‘Mass’ dissertation project don’t make the university better and don’t make society better.”

Conley explained:

President Gold said then-Chancellor Bennett met with the grad committee involved and made it clear there should have been a different process. “They should have told the student to find a different dissertation project.” 

He added that everyone needs to understand academics doesn’t live in a silo, but in the real world, and the implications of actions need to be considered.

President Gold said “guardrails” have now been put in place and that the faculty advisor was made “painfully aware” of his or her failure in this instance.

After last year’s performance of the blasphemous drag Mass, Conley condemned the university for having ignored “such a vile display of hatred” and urged the staff to “stand up and declare your institution will not tolerate or reward such inappropriate behavior and take action against the faculty who encouraged it.”

He added:

There is no redeeming value in such a display of ignorance. Such discrimination would not be tolerated if directed at other religions, so why is it tolerated if the target is the Catholic faith? It’s offensive and should be condemned by the University, not applauded or rewarded. Education should strive for the true, the good and the beautiful – not lies, evil and ugliness.