http://ncronline.org/news/theology/bishops-colleges-find-good-collaboration-ex-corde-review
This writer attended several Christian affiliated colleges. Many times I asked myself if the school I attended was Christian in any sense other than an active Chapel life. It seemed that the philosophy, theology, ethics and morality of Christianity had no interaction with classroom presentations. Once a student left the Chapel, it was exactly like every other secular based school.
During the Pontificate of John Paul II the relationship of Roman Catholic colleges and universities was highlighted by two events. This author is presenting this from memory so minor details may be missing but the gist is the same.
Hans Kung is the name. A Roman Catholic priest, writer, theologian and holder of the official chair of Theology at a German university, Father Kung wrote several items that were called into question by the official teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. He was required to clarify his positions and eventually, his explanations of what he taught were not judged adequate by the official Roman Catholic teaching authority. The case was refered to Pope John Paul II, who after review, decided that Father Kung could not accurately and sufficiently represent the official Roman Catholic theology on subjects under his purview. He was required by his bishop to relinquish the official chair of Roman Catholic theology. Father Kung was not forbidden to publish his thoughts. He was not stripped of his priesthood. He was not accused as a heretic. The narrow, and in this writers opinion, correct judgement, was that which was stated above. Father Kung was judged to be not sufficiently committed to official Roman Catholic teaching for him to remain the official teacher of that position at a university.
The second is similar but involves an entire university, namely, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. The Pope warned Notre Dame and other official Roman Catholic Universities that they could not have it both ways. Namely, the university could not teach, promulgate, or promote distinctly unchristian or antichristian positions and remain an official university of the Church. Please note, that his Holiness John Paul II did not say that presentations of other than Christian philosophies, theologies, ethics, morals or whatever, could not be treated at such a university. What was required was a distinctly Roman Catholic analysis, critique and answer to those presentations which a reasonable Christian would regard as not in keeping with the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Also note, that the Pope did not require the school to stop academic freedom, however, if the school wanted to adopt, teach, promulgate and promote distinctly unchristian or antichristian positions, it should give up its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church and become just another secular institution.
Considering that so many of our finest American Universities, such as Yale and Harvard and just about all the ivy league schools were founded by Christians and supported throughout their founding years by the Christian Church. And considering that if we were to look at the founding documents and charters of these school, the founders intended for the schools to teach, promulgate, and promote the distinct teachings of the Christian Church. It is a sad commentary on academic fraud that these very schools attack, degrade, and dismiss Christianity and Christian philosophy, world view, ethics, morals and theology and even personal worship as not even to be tolerated.
It would be delightful and I think a meaningful exercise for all Christian denominations to begin dialog with colleges and universities that claim affiliation with the Church. Since, it is my belief that most of these institutions do not subscribe in any meaningful way to the teachings of the denominations to which they claim affiliation, they should voluntarily give up that affiliation and declare themselves purely secular schools. By the way, any specifically Church owned property, endowments, Teaching Chairs, fellowships, etc. should be returned to the founders. If such things as property, and the like cannot practically be returned, a monetary amount should be appraised and the school pay that amount to the Church. Of course, it would be hoped that the schools could reform themselves along the lines by which they were founded. Although, this writer holds out little hope for this.
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