St. John’s – New York’s largest Catholic university – has canceled Columbus Day

St. John’s – New York’s largest Catholic university – has woken up and will no longer refer to Monday’s holiday as “Christopher Columbus Day” in honor of the explorer, who is celebrated as a devout Christian.

Some Italian-Americans and alumni are now condemning the Catholic institution for discrediting the famous but controversial Italian explorer.

“It’s crazy not to recognize Columbus,” said Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition. “Of course it’s an insult.”

Former Brooklyn state Rep. Peter Abbate, a graduate of St. John’s University who earned bachelor’s degrees in history and political science, agreed.

“It is outrageous not to recognize Columbus. It’s just ridiculous,” Abbate said. “You might as well call St. John’s University John’s University. They get an ‘F’ for trying to be cute about it.”

The St. John’s academic calendar now describes the holiday as “Fall Short Break – University Closed.” No lessons.”

In doing so, it joins the New York City government in abandoning Columbus during the administration of former Mayor Bill de Blasio in protest at the explorer’s enslavement and brutalization of the native population during his voyages to the New World.

The city’s Sanitation Department issued a notice this year saying, “There will be no curbside trash, compost or recycling collection on Monday, October 14, Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.”

Still, Fordham University, the city’s other major Catholic New York university, states on its calendar that “the university is closed for Columbus Day.”

Iona College, a Catholic school in Westchester County, also recognizes Columbus Day on the calendar but does not observe the holiday with “classes in session.”

Vivolo said he personally complained to St. John’s officials about the removal of “Columbus” from the holiday, adding, “My sister graduated from St. John’s. My granddaughter is a graduate. My niece is a student.”

Vivolo, former chairman and president of the Columbus Foundation, which runs the city’s annual parade honoring the Italian explorer, noted that the organization provides scholarships to Italian-American high school students to attend college and has grown over the years numerous of them have enrolled at St. John’s.

St. John’s defended removing Columbus from the calendar.

“After accounting for federal holidays, there are limited days in the academic calendar that can be observed,” said St. John’s representative Brian Browne.

“In 2018, St. John’s University decided to observe Veterans Day and observe Columbus Day in early October with an extended fall short break. “The fall getaway typically coincides with Columbus Day,” Browne said. “St. John’s University members and alumni regularly volunteer to participate in Columbus Day celebrations throughout the New York City metropolitan area and will do so again this year.”

Such controversy is nothing new for St. John’s, which changed the name of its sports teams from the “Redmen” to the “Red Storm” about 30 years ago after critics said the Native American image as a mascot was an insult.

Meanwhile, other Catholic universities have also distanced themselves from Columbus.

Notre Dame University in Indiana does not recognize Columbus Day at all and its calendar indicates that classes are in session.

Manhattan University and Niagara University in New York and Seton Hall University in New Jersey mention that they are on “fall break” without mentioning Columbus.

St. Francis College in Brooklyn has tried to satisfy both sides of the divide by designating October 14 as “Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.”

The City University of New York calendar simply says “College Closed.”

There is no mention of “Columbus Day” in the calendars of the main campuses of the State University of New York.

Queens Democratic Councilman Robert Holden criticized Columbus’ censorship.

“We should not impose 21st century standards on 15th century explorers; That’s what the woke bigots are doing through presenteeism,” Holden said.

“Federal and state law designates this Monday as Columbus Day, and the fact that we still have an active executive order from the worst mayor ever, Bill de Blasio, perpetuating Eric Adams is a disgrace.”

The Sanitation Department said it was following the city ordinance that banned Columbus from his own vacation.

“Italian Heritage Day/Indigenous People’s Day is the name of the holiday in NYC and has been for several years,” said DSNY spokesman Joshua Goodman.

“The DSNY Columbia Association will proudly march in the Columbus Day Parade on Monday. That is the name of the parade and you can be sure we will cover it on social media,” he said.