“Teachers and administrators, whether in universities or schools, have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This requires that public witness to the way of Christ, as found in the Gospel and upheld by the Church’s Magisterium, shapes all aspects of an institution’s life, both inside and outside the classroom.”despite his 100% pro-abortion record from NARAL, his support for partial-birth abortion, same-sex "marriage" and embryonic stem cell research the former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has been invited to join the faculty of Marquette University, a Catholic institution, as a visiting professor of law. TFP observes that the event is understandably causing scandal.
They ask readers to protest politely but firmly against this appointment.
Marquette University is not in the diocese of Marquette, Michigan. It is in Milwaukee in the State of Wisconsin.
The University's homepage has a link entitled "Catholic and Jesuit". Helpfully there is a further link to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the 1990 Apostolic Constituion of Pope John Paul II on Catholic Universities. In Article 4 of the "Norms" contained in that Apostolic Constitution we read:
The responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the Catholic identity of the University rests primarily with the University itself. While this responsibility is entrusted principally to university authorities ... it is shared in varying degrees by all members of the university community, and therefore calls for the recruitment of adequate university personnel, especially teachers and administrators, who are both willing and able to promote that identity. The identity of a Catholic University is essentially linked to the quality of its teachers and to respect for Catholic doctrine. It is the responsibility of the competent Authority to watch over these two fundamental needs in accordance with what is indicated in Canon Law.Here a footnote is referred to which states what Canon Law indicates:
Canon 810 of (the Code of Canon Law) specifies the responsibility of the competent Authorities in this area: § 1 "It is the responsibility of the authority who is competent in accord with the statutes (i.e. not necessarily ecclesiastical authority) to provide for the appointment of teachers to Catholic universities who, besides their scientific and pedagogical suitability, are also outstanding in their integrity of doctrine and probity of life; when those requisite qualities are lacking they are to be removed from their positions in accord with the procedure set forth in the statutes.Article 4 continues:
§ 2 The conference of bishops and the diocesan bishops concerned have the duty and right of being vigilant that in these universities the principles of Catholic doctrine are faithfully observed".
§ 2. All teachers and all administrators, at the time of their appointment, are to be informed about the Catholic identity of the Institution and its implications, and about their responsibility to promote, or at least to respect, that identity.Article 5 § 2 explains the role of the diocesan Bishop:
§ 3. In ways appropriate to the different academic disciplines, all Catholic teachers are to be faithful to, and all other teachers are to respect, Catholic doctrine and morals in their research and teaching.
Each Bishop has a responsibility to promote the welfare of the Catholic Universities in his diocese and has the right and duty to watch over the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic character. If problems should arise conceming this Catholic character, the local Bishop is to take the initiatives necessary to resolve the matter, working with the competent university authorities in accordance with established procedures and, if necessary, with the help of the Holy See.
Are these norms weaker than some would like? Is too much freedom given to the university authorities? Can a University argue that a politician who opposes the Church's teaching in such fundamental matters as life and marriage can still be a man of integrity and probity, can still teach his subject while at least respecting the Catholic identity of the institution even if he cannot promote it? What would St Ignatius think?
Marquette’s downward slide, like that of many “Catholic” universities here in the US, has been in evidence for many years, Father.
ReplyDeleteThe most egregious example is that of Daniel Maguire - laicized priest, pro-Contraception, pro-Abortion, pro ‘Gay’ marriage, member of Catholics For a Free Choice - who continues to be a professor of Moral Theology at Marquette.
After Ex Corde Ecclesia Maguire refused to seek a Mandatum, arguing essentially that there was a ‘theological magisterium’ over which bishops had no authority as they were not theologians and knew less about theology than the ‘experts’…! Ironically, he addressed this nonsense to his then bishop – Ab. Rembert Weakland. It was only in 2006 that Ab. Dolan barred Maguire from speaking at any parish in the Archdiocese.
More recently it was another Marquette professor’s advice – Therese Lysaught – that St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix used to justify direct abortion in that hospital, until Bishop Olmsted rightly called them to account. Ms. Lysaught’s MA in Theology is from Notre Dame – home of another prominent dissenter – Fr. Richard McBrien.
Then there were Charles Curran (formerly of Catholic University of America), the late Fr. Robert Drinan (Boston College) – to name just two of many. Is it any wonder people have been led astray for years when “Catholic” universities spawn, condone or promote dissent and heresy within their own walls?
Petition signed. Thanks Fr John.
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