Catholic World News News Feature

Georgetown Students Rally For Crucifix In Classroom October 30, 1997

WASHINGTON, DC (CWN) - Hundreds of students at Georgetown University are planning to demonstrate on Saturday to demand that the Catholic university place crucifixes in all the classrooms, organizers announced on Wednesday.

The Committee on Crucifixes in Classrooms said that college students need the constant reminder of God in their academic lives. "We are trying to remind students of that Spirit which is in each of them," said organizer John Soucy. "Hopefully, by having the crucifix in every classroom, students will be able to remember their spirituality and come closer to God." Book publisher Sophia Institute Press has offered to donate $10,000 worth of crucifixes and the university's Knights of Columbus council has volunteered to install the crosses.

Last week, the student government approved a resolution supporting the plan, but the student president and vice-president vetoed the measure saying it was not an appropriate concern for student government. The student representatives have vowed to override the veto saying the issue is an expression of their duty to represent the student body. "We are simply asking our university to live up to its historical commitment to educate the 'whole' person," said the resolution's sponsor, Marcus Ellison. "The crucifix is a wonderful symbol of the Jesuit traditions that have helped make Georgetown such an excellent institution of higher education."

The crucifix campaign has received the support from non-Christian students and faculty members as well. "The crucifix reminds us of the idea of suffering and how we can come to God through suffering. We should have crucifixes in the classrooms," said Rabbi Harold White. Muslim Professor Maysam al-Faruqi said, "If having a crucifix in every classroom will help Catholics strengthen their faith, then we should have two in each classroom, not just one."