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Solidarity as the Basis of Community in University Life
It is common to speak of “community” when discussing our academic institutions. As Christians, we often hear the resonances between “community” and “communion” and allow these resonances to summon the suggestion of a sacramental vision of the classroom and the activities we undertake therein (as well as in other places on campus). But another angle…
What is the Primary Activity of a Catholic University? Intellectual Charity (Properly Understood)
Amid all of the good things that take place at a flourishing Catholic university, what is the essential activity that sets it apart from other Catholic institutions – such as Catholic hospitals, charities and parishes – and other universities that are not Catholic? In this year’s inaugural “Formation for Mission” seminar for new faculty and…
Resisting the Reduction of Catholic Higher Education
In a previous post, we considered how we might fruitfully read the Church’s magisterial documents on education. This post is a first attempt to apply some of the principles outlined there. It would seem that Catholic education—including Catholic higher education—is always about more than we think it is. And it is good to have both…
The Symphony of Wisdom (or How Should We Interpret Magisterial Teachings About Catholic Education?)
In over a decade of conversations about magisterial teachings regarding Catholic higher education, I’ve found that there are often two conversations happening at the same time, a kind of polyphonic discourse unfolding simultaneously. These conversations are “polyphonic” in that on the surface (and in the center) of the dialogue, we were discussing the content of…
Integrating Knowledge at a Catholic University
by Prof. Thomas Harmon This is part two of a series. Part 1 is entitled “The Catholic University: An Institution Dedicated to Bringing Faith and Reason Together“ What I’ve just charted out is the necessary background to understand what Ex corde ecclesiae says about the integration of knowledge, which simply means to put the knowledge…
The Catholic University: An Institution Dedicated to Bringing Faith and Reason Together
by Prof. Thomas Harmon This is part one of a series. Part 2 is entitled Integrating Knowledge at a Catholic University Pope John Paul II’s apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae contains in its name the key to understanding the Catholic university. Ex Corde Ecclesiae is a Latin phrase that means “From the Heart of the…