Pope Benedict might be preparing to prune away some Catholic colleges that are CINO. Normally such rumors would be only that: rumors. But this comes from Archbishop Michael Miller, secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Archbishop Michael Miller, the secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, told an audience at the University of Notre Dame that “the measure of an institution can be judged by its Catholic integrity.” He suggested that if a school has lost contact with its Catholic heritage, “it might be a matter of truth and justice that such an institution is no longer upheld.”
The archbishop said that in light of what Pope Benedict has said and written, it is clear that the Pontiff expects Catholic institutions to promote the faith. He said the Pope believes that “it might be better for the Church not to expend its resources trying to preserve institutions if their Catholic identity has been seriously compromised.”
Now this could mean a couple of different things. It could mean that colleges that were founded as Catholic, but are no longer operated by dioceses or religious orders and no longer have a discernible Catholic mission—and indeed don’t want to be Catholic—can give up their official designation as such. Marymount Manhattan College is an example of a formerly Catholic college that gave up the designation.
Or it could be the much more interesting option of actively stripping the name Catholic from colleges that claim to be Catholic but spread heresy and heterodoxy and immorality, like, say, a few Jesuit colleges and universities we could all name. That would certainly be the more dramatic—and I must say, more useful—action to take.
I wonder how many of those CINO campuses would actually have to get that treatment before most of the rest started falling all over each other to prove how really really Catholic they are. I think something about Alum donations may play a role here…
John’s right. Not everybody knows how nuts it is in some places. The word is out in certain circles, but I’m sure there’s donors out there who would be surprised.
We can only hope that it will be a dramatic move. I was grumbling about this very issue on my blog just the other day…
http://danielvitz.blogspot.com/2005/10/we-need-fewer-catholic-institutions.html
Marymount Manhattan College had forgotten that it was stil being listed as “Catholic” and when it was brought to their attention when they invited Hillary Clinton to be commencement speaker, they requested the designation be dropped. details http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org
Message to CINO schools: either implement Ex Cordae Ecclesia or get cut loose.
These institutions were built through the sacrifices of Catholics. It may be necessary to cut some of them loose but it would be better to reassert the authority of the Church over them.
No doubt the Jesuit order still has considerable influence over appointment of trustees in their universities. They should be required under obedience to recapture “Jesuit” institutions for Catholicism. If they are unsuccessful, the Jesuits should walk away.
Of course they won’t do anything of the sort in spite of their vows of obedience, which is why certain CINO religious orders should be “delisted” along with the colleges and universities they have alienated from the heart of the Church.
Good decision on behalf of the Holy Father. Boston College, Holy Cross, and Merrimack Callege in North Andover are not following church teachings. Catholicism is a gift of the Lord and should remain “prue”
Heard last night on EWTN about the Land O’ Lakes Meeting held in the early ‘60s which was the American impetus to de-Catholicize schools in the name of “Academic Freedom.”
The Monsignor from the NY Diocese Seminary @ Dunwoodie hosted the show and claimed that a certain Monsignor Theodore MCarrick signed this document!
It is interesting how one Monsignor is still only a Monsignor and another Monsignor made it to Cardinal.
Funny how that works.
The agents of the de-Catholicization of Catholic colleges have been rewarded at every level.
Can someone explain:
Does a school have to sign the Mandatum in order to be in compliance with Ex Cordae Ecclesia?
I believe the mandata are only issued to invdividual theology professors, not to entire schools. But a bishop does have some authority over any school in his diocese using the name “Catholic.”
Patrick Sweeney,
May I suggest a slight change to your message:
“Message to CINO schools: either implement Ex Cordae Ecclesia or get cut loose”
How about, Deliver a Catholic Education or get cut loose. I get a feeling we will see “Ex Cordae Ecclesia” In Name Only pretty soon.
JBP
The UNIVERSITY of DAYTON is already on Patrick J. Reilly’s list. Because of the Fr. Chaminade and Society of Mary roots & affiliation with other Marianist schools they need to be targeted for early pruning. Fr. James Heft and former President Bro. Raymond Fitz should be put in the BULLS EYE of the target. As a 1956 Graduate who turned in his diploma to Bro. Fitz on 12/21/00 I would like to help in BXVI’s PRUNING effort.
John Bettinger, 801 Stoneybrook Dr. Kettering, OH 45429, 937 434-6400
Wish they’d do this for the ‘Catholic’ high schools too…