US bishops to continue dialogue with Catholic college presidents
January 11, 2013
Bishop Joseph McFadden of Harrisburg, chairman of the Committee on Catholic Education of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has released a report examining the implementation of Blessed John Paul’s 1990 apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae in the United States over the past ten years.
The apostolic constitution examined the nature and mission of the Catholic university.
“The relationship between bishops and presidents on the local level can be characterized as positive and engaged, demonstrating progress on courtesy and cooperation in the last ten years,” the USCCB report stated. “Clarity about Catholic identity among college and university leadership has fostered substantive dialogues and cultivated greater mission driven practices across the university. In acknowledging that much progress has been made, we recognize there is still work to be done.”
“Under the auspices of the Committee on Catholic Education, a working group of bishops and presidents will be formed to continue the dialogue about strategic subjects on a national level,” the report continued.
The working group will address four topics: “continuing dialogue between bishops and presidents toward greater cooperation in advancing the mission of the Church; hiring for mission; forming trustees, faculty, and staff regarding Catholic identity; [and] addressing the need for improved, accurate, and deeper theological and catechetical knowledge through curricular and pastoral means.”
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Further information:
- Bishops, Catholic Colleges Continue Ex Corde Ecclesiae Dialogue On Relations With Church, Society (USCCB)
- Full text of report (USCCB)
- Ex Corde Ecclesiae
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Posted by: -
Jan. 11, 2013 10:34 PM ET USA
The facts seem to be as follows. Our bishops, as a group, are simply moral cowards. For my money, Notre Dame's ordinary should publicly and continuously say in every church's Sunday bulletin year round: "Notre Dame is not Catholic in any recognizable way except name. Parents must realize their children’s faith is in jeopardy at that institution.” I had hoped to see the renewal, as did millions of Catholics. We have lost millions (PEW)and nothing seems to make any difference to bishops.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jan. 11, 2013 6:57 PM ET USA
It's been 23 years since Pope John Paul II called for the implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the past ten years have been spent on "dialogue." What did the bishops and college presidents do the prior 13 years? This is a sad commentary on the state of the Church. What ever happened to "obedience?"
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Posted by: Defender -
Jan. 11, 2013 10:41 AM ET USA
"...Courtesy and cooperation..." is all after 10 years? I'm glad there are no more universities giving honors to politicians who don't share Catholic views; gay clubs and lavender graduations; articles and opinions that are not Catholic; etc. What might be done is to only hire Catholics in ALL Catholic schools and colleges and have them ALL sign a mandatum. You might be teaching a non-religious subject, but your views might easily be heard or seen. Bishops need to lead and not be nice about it.
