The Spirit Of A Catholic University by Jesuit Resource

THE SPIRIT OF A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY A DESKTOP PRIMER

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY Universities as they are recognized today by the conferring of degrees, came into existence in Christian Catholic Europe during the 12th century. Each were founded upon the approval of a pope, king, or emperor. The oldest currently active universities include Bologna, Oxford, Paris, and Cambridge. Founded in 1636, Harvard University is considered the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Georgetown University, founded by Bishop John Carroll SJ in 1789, was the 24th college, and first Catholic college, in the country. Today’s ~200 Catholic colleges and universities share a global educational mission grounded in the Catholic faith tradition and centuries-old intellectual heritage with contemporary expressions through justice principles benefiting the common good. Debra K. Mooney, PhD, Editor

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY In 1990, Pope John Paul II published an apostolic constitution on Catholic institutions of higher education. The opening words of the text in Latin, Ex corde ecclesiae (“From the heart of the church”), serve as its title. In its opening, Ex corde considers Catholic universities in relationship with other institutions of higher learning. Like other universities, the Catholic university is committed to research – the search for truth – and to teaching, but it adds the dimension that we know the source of truth. Pope John Paul had already written and spoken extensively on the subject of Catholic education, and in the course of Ex corde he cites both his own earlier works and a vast range of authorities from the Bible to Canon Law, from St. Augustine and St. John Henry Newman to Pope Paul VI and Vatican II. Ex corde ecclesiae begins with an introduction that states the topic. Part I follows, titled “Identity and Mission.” Early in this section, Pope John Paul states what he considers essential characteristics for the identity of a Catholic university: Since the objective of a Catholic university is to assure in an institutional manner a Christian presence in the university world confronting the great problems of

society and culture, every Catholic university, as Catholic, must have the following essential characteristics: • A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; • A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research; • Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; • An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.” (No. 13)

The Catholic Dimension of a University Pope John Paul then states that beyond simply being an authentic university, the Catholic dimension involves bringing the light of faith to this work. And he explores how the university relates to the larger institutional Church. And too he studies the service component in this mission: service to the Church, service to society, pastoral ministry, dialogue with culture, and evangelization. Part II gives general norms for the nature of a Catholic university, its establishment, the university community, the university within the Church, and the pastoral ministry of the university. Throughout the document, it is clear that being Catholic adds a special dimension to the life of the university. The university is part of the Church’s mission.

Application The Catholic bishops of the United States, meeting in plenary session, on November 17, 1999, approved the implementation of Ex corde Ecclesiae for the United States. On the following May 3, Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves and Most Reverend Franfcisco Monterisi, respectively the prefect and the secretary of the Congregation of Bishops in Rome, granted official recognition of the U. S. bishops action. The president of the U.S. bishops conference then decreed that Ex corde Ecclesdiae would have the force of law as of May 3, 2001. by Ed Schmidt SJ

Reflection: If the current Pope invited you to add a 5th essential characteristic, what would you add to the list?

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING The essential characteristics of a Catholic university are expressed through its commitments to the Catholic justice mission. CST are the ideals and values that have been disseminated through papal and other Church documents through time; contemporary themes are:

Human Dignity “[H]uman life is sacred and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of [Catholic] social teaching…-that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.”

Community and Participation “The person is not only sacred but also social. How [our society is organized] – in economics and politics, in law and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community… people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.”

Human Rights “[H]uman dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency [including access to steady “work and the rights that flow from it”]. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities – to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.”

Solidarity All people “are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace.”

Stewardship of Creation We “are called to protect people [including ‘future generations’] and the planet, living in relationship with all of God’s creation.” by Debra K. Mooney, PhD, Editor *quotes from papal, conciliar and episcopal documents

Reflection: How is the commitment to these Teachings expressed at my University?, in my department and/or division?

THE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION The Catholic Intellectual Tradition is most alive in the arts, literature, scientific thought, philosophy, and theology that stretches back over two millennia and extends as far geographically as the Catholic faith in all its diversity. The Catholic university plays a key role as the locus of intellectual inquiry.

Characteristics • Expansiveness: open to diversity of humanistic traditions • Expressiveness: manifesting in faith and culture, such as literature, music, drama, film, painting, philosophy, political theory and many other spheres of human activity • Respect for cumulative wisdom of the past • Openness to mystery of creation and God • Integration of faith, knowledge, and reason in the search for truth, meaning, and justice • A sserts the idea that there is a relationship between faith and the intellectual life • Engages in the world, often through Catholic Social Teaching Catholic intellectual work can be its own vocation and is not limited to any particular discipline. All disciplines can contribute to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, as God can be found in all people and things through a sacramental imagination. God is in all things, but because of that, we often miss God’s presence. A sensitivity open to God’s presence is useful to see the sacramental nature of our disciplines. Perhaps it best to think of Catholic intellectual traditions, not so much that there are conflicting traditions, as much as there are so many varieties of living out the Catholic intellectual life. For example, there are the “Catholic Classics”, Aquinas, Chesterton, and Teresa of Ávila, but there is also a dynamic, living tradition that can be found in the poetry of Denise Levertov and Thomas Merton, the art of Holly Schapker (shown), and the liberation theology of Gustavo Gutiérrez, and which calls us to do today what the Classics did for their day. The Catholic Intellectual Tradition forms the whole person, not just the intellect. As such, the Catholic Intellectual Tradition is not a separate endeavor from prayer and contemplation, and actually may be enhanced by such spiritual practice. by Thomas Strunk, PhD

Reflection: How does your discipline and your scholarship contribute to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition?

BASIC BELIEFS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH The Holy Trinity is the belief in one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Incarnation refers to God sending Jesus, fully human and fully divine, into the world as an act of solidarity with all of humanity. The word incarnation means “incarnate” that is, “in the flesh”. The Paschal Mystery, Resurrection, and Redemption express that all of humanity was redeemed through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection which reveals God’s victory over sin and death. “Paschal Mystery” means that through suffering and even death, new life is possible. Jesus’ suffering points to God’s solidarity with our own human suffering. The Mystery of the Church refers to the belief that Jesus Christ instituted the Church and that through the People of God, the Mystical Body of Christ, God’s saving work is carried out in the world. Sacred Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is God’s self-revelation to us individually and communally. When reading the scriptures, attention is paid to the historical context and literary styles in which they were written. Sacred Tradition includes the wellspring of the deposit of faith prior to the writing of the Sacred Scriptures. Sacramentality is the concept that we can encounter and know God through all of creation which was created through God’s infinite wisdom and love. Core to this concept is the sanctity of life from conception to natural death and that each person, created by God, has an inherent dignity. The Seven Sacraments provide powerful ritual experiences of God’s active grace through Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders (ordination). The Living Magisterium refers to one of the primary roles of a Bishop as teacher and authentic interpreter of Sacred Tradition and the Word of God. Likewise, by virtue of their Baptism, “all the faithful share in understanding and handing on revealed truth. They have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit who instructs them and guides them into all truth” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 91). A Life of Prayer is central to one’s relationship with God. A rich prayer life requires a posture of humility, openness, and a listening heart. Prayer may take many forms: adoration, praise, intercession, petition, repentance, and thanksgiving. The Moral Life emphasizes that all humans have free will as a gift from God which makes us responsible and accountable for our actions. A well-formed conscience is essential and must be followed when making choices. Leading a moral life is not just about avoiding sin but being an active partner with God to advance what is good and heal suffering in the world. Respect for persons of other faith traditions is essential as we listen and learn while engaging in dialogue with others, recognizing as Nostra Aetate states, that as a global community with one origin, our final goal is God (Nostra Aetate, para. 1). by Joseph P. Shadle

Reflection: In what specific and varied ways is your university rooted in the Catholic faith?

FOUNDATIONS OF THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY CORE CATHOLIC SOCIAL VALUES

Dignity

CONTEMPORARY CULTURE

Participation

Solidarity

Rights

Stewardship

A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY Essential Characteristics

THE CATHOLIC INTELLECTUAL TRADITION A 2000 year old dialogue between the Catholic faith and contemporary culture: Catholic Universities preserve the history, transmit the knowledge and engage participation by all in the dialogue

BELIEFS OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH Holy Trinity Incarnation Paschal Mystery Mystery of the Church Sacred Scripture Sacramentality Sacraments Living Magisterium Life of Prayer Moral Life

jesuitresource.org