Outgoing president of Catholic University concerned about loss of schools' Catholic identity

CWN - May 21, 2010

Having completed his term as president of the Catholic University of America, Msgr. David O'Connell met with Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, to discuss his concerns about the loss of a distinctive Catholic identity in Church-sponsored institutions of higher learning in America. The focus of Msgr. O'Connell's concern was the "Land O Lakes statement," signed in 1967 by a group of Catholic university leaders, proclaiming their autonomy from the hierarchy.

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  • Posted by: Defender - May. 22, 2010 3:19 PM ET USA

    What is the problem? Elementary and high school students are taught by Catholic teachers who have to be certified to teach the Faith by their local bishop. If they don't, they can easily be fired because of the At-Will contracts they are employed under. Do the same with university professors!

  • Posted by: extremeCatholic - May. 22, 2010 11:57 AM ET USA

    How about coming up with a scale measuring to what extent these schools support the formation of Catholic identity in their students, and then apportion money contributed by Catholics accordingly? Talk is cheap and money talks. A suggestion that is less than a fantasy would be to make the status of the "mandatum" for each teacher of theology a matter of public record. It is a statement of commitment to teach the faith in according with the magesterium. It's considered by most bishops a secret

  • Posted by: filioque - May. 21, 2010 6:10 PM ET USA

    Excuse me, but why is Fr. O'Connell just talking about this when he is leaving office? I would never say that he is polishing his credentials for a miter.

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