A Catholic university in Rhode Island is receiving heat from the Diocese of Providence – led by the incoming Archbishop of Boston – for hosting a fundraiser that brought in at least $600,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign.

The Rhode Island Democratic Party Committee hosted the event at Salve Regina University on Thursday, welcoming Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz to the sprawling 80-acre institution in Newport.

More than 300 Democratic donors turned out to Ochre Court, the university’s main administration building along Newport’s iconic Cliff Walk, and contributed at least $1,000 to Walz, the current governor of Minnesota.

Salve Regina’s decision to rent space to the Rhode Island Dems “surprised and disappointed” the Diocese of Providence, which called the fundraiser a “partisan political event.”

Bishop Richard Henning, who leads the diocese, is set to become the tenth bishop and seventh archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston in October, having received the nod from Pope Francis earlier this month.

Henning was coming back from a retreat on Friday, but his office released a statement that outlined how the Diocese of Providence “does not permit Catholic institutions in Rhode Island to endorse candidates for office nor even give the appearance of such endorsements.”

“The Church’s role in political matters is firstly to form the consciences of the lay faithful,” diocese spokesperson Michael Kieloch said in a statement. “We were surprised and disappointed by the decision of Salve Regina University to rent space to a partisan political event and fundraiser and we’ve received a number of messages from Catholics across Rhode Island expressing the same surprise and disappointment.”

A Salve Regina spokesperson told digital news site RINewsToday that the Rhode Island Democratic Party Committee selected Ochre Court “based on availability for their selected date, time and anticipated capacity,” noting how the university “regularly rents facilities on campus for private events.”

“As an academic institution, the university fully supports freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democracy,” the spokesperson said. “As our mission calls us to do, we support productive and meaningful dialogue across our differences as we work toward a world that is more harmonious, just and merciful.”

The Rhode Island Dems “paid the standard rate for the space rental” – $10,000 for no affiliation and $7,500 for Salve Regina affiliation – “worked with our University Events and Conference Services office and is the sole host of the event,” the spokesperson added.

Per Salve Regina’s Office of University Events and Conference Services, all private events, including fundraisers, are “expected to complement the character and mission” of the institution.

The university’s mission says it “welcomes people of all beliefs” and “seeks wisdom and promotes universal justice.”

“Through liberal arts and professional programs, students develop their abilities for thinking clearly and creatively, enhance their capacity for sound judgment and prepare for the challenge of learning throughout their lives,” a portion of the mission states.

A university spokesperson did not respond to a Herald request for comment on the Diocese of Providence’s disappointment.

Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairwoman Liz Beretta-Perik told the Providence Journal that the fundraiser, which had a $1,000 minimum entry per person, recorded at least $600,000 for the Harris-Walz campaign.

The Newport fundraiser came a day after Walz stopped by a glitzy gala at The Newbury Boston. Roughly 50 Massachusetts Dems flocked to the downtown upscale hotel, raising more than $1.2 million with suggested donations of $100,000.

At the Thursday event, the ProJo highlighted how Walz called his GOP opponents “weird” – his signature attack line – and described their vision as “dystopian” during a “17-minute teleprompter-and-notes-free speech.”

“These guys are rooting for failure,” Walz said “It doesn’t inspire people. And their one-trick pony of fear and ‘the country is terrible,’ and this whole dystopian vision of things – that runs out when it runs into the face of American optimism.”

Salve Regina’s playing site to Walz also didn’t sit lightly with Rhode Island’s GOP National Committee Sue Cienki, who called the decision “shameful.”

Henning, 59, will replace Cardinal Sean O’Malley, 80, at the helm of the Archdiocese of Boston. As the head of the Diocese of Providence for just over a year, Henning acknowledged earlier this month his appointment may come as a surprise to many, “as it was to (him).”

Henning spoke on several issues within the church’s purview, including the fallout of sexual abuse, the local migrant crisis, and abortion.

“I will admit I don’t know that I’ve ever been an activist,” he said. “I’m not that exciting. And my stance in Providence has been that I’m a pastor and not a politician.”

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reacts as he speaks at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Convention in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)