FIX EXCLUSIVES
Music student’s performance ‘celebrates the queer body as a holy body, queer community as a sacred communion, and carnal pleasure as a consecrated sacrament’
The University of Nebraska Lincoln is investigating the “Mass of Perpetual Indulgence,” a doctoral thesis by M. Joseph Willette.
In the performance, which he submitted as part of his graduation this May, Willette (pictured) and others performed a drag show that imitated various parts of the Catholic Mass. “Ultimately, this work celebrates the queer body as a holy body, queer community as a sacred communion, and carnal pleasure as a consecrated sacrament,” the musical composition doctoral student wrote. The musical set had portions unique to the Roman Catholic Mass, including a “Kyrie,” “Sanctus,” and “Credo.”
The performance (below), first reported on by The College Fix in May, prompted condemnation from political and religious leaders in the state.
Bishop James Conley, who leads the Diocese of Lincoln, “did meet with University of Nebraska officials, but he won’t be making any further comments until the university concludes its look into the matter,” a staff member told The College Fix.
Bp. Conley called the performance “both disturbing and appalling” and asked the university “to do more than ignore such a vile display of hatred.”
“Have the courage to stand up and declare your institution will not tolerate or reward such inappropriate behavior and take action against the faculty who encouraged it,” Conley wrote in a June statement.
Nebraska state Senator, Dan Lonowski, also criticized the performance and separately confirmed an investigation is under way.
Lonowski and twelve other colleagues sent a letter to the university on June 2, addressing Willette’s performance. It came soon after The Fix’s original report and heavily cited reporting from the original article.
Senator Lonowski shared a copy of the letter to The Fix. The letter stated how the “performance is very upsetting and found inappropriate by Catholics and Christian faiths in general.”
The letter also stated that “Mr. Willette’s final recital performance is very offensive and unacceptable for being permitted at the University of Nebraska,” and he and his colleagues “wholeheartedly condemn this behavior.”
The letter concluded by requesting immediate action to be taken against the faculty that allowed this and to ensure that this never happens again on any University of Nebraska campus.
He provided new comments to The Fix about the controversy. “Students who earn a doctorate in their respective field work very hard and research many materials before presenting their dissertation,” Lonowski told The Fix. “They earn respect and commensurate pay for their efforts.”
“While I do not have expertise in music, I am a Catholic Christian who takes faith seriously,” the Republican politician said. “This effort does not appear to advance music nor faith in any manner.”
“I believe the university leadership should investigate this matter and ensure that it hasn’t happened before or that it doesn’t happen again,” Lonowski stated to The College Fix when asked what action he believes should be taken by the university.
He said the office of President Jeffrey Gold, who leads the entire University of Nebraska system, told him the matter would be investigated.
The Fix reached out to the music department, board of regents, and media relations team multiple times via email to ask for comment on the performance, criticism of it, and if any action was being taken, but none responded.
Willette did not respond to an emailed request for comment. He previously blocked The Fix on Instagram and called the publication a “news tabloid.”
.@UNLincoln graduate student Joseph Willette REALLY doesn’t like that the College Fix, which he calls a ‘tabloid,’ called attention to his anti-Catholic ‘Mass of Perpetual Indulgence.’ pic.twitter.com/1ZAznOsi3t
— The College Fix (@CollegeFix) June 9, 2025
Professor Greg Simon, Willette’s advisor, declined to answer questions about the controversy.
“Representatives of the Diocese or Catholic leadership interested in a good-faith conversation are welcome to contact me,” Simon wrote in an email to The Fix.
MORE: Catholic author reminds universities there is ‘truth’ and it is worth pursuing
