Cardinal Newman Society press release:
Immediately following today’s ruling that a New York Catholic college is not “religious” under federal law, The Cardinal Newman Society published an analysis from a top legal expert advising Catholic college leaders on ways to protect their religious freedoms by maintaining a strong Catholic identity.
“Federal and state laws are increasingly being used to coerce religious institutions into actions and commitments that violate deeply held religious convictions and moral principles,” warns Kevin Theriot, Senior Counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, in the analysis entitled “Protecting Catholic Colleges from External Threats to Their Religious Liberty,” which is posted at CatholicHigherEd.org.
Theriot suggests ways Catholic educators can defend against laws that require health insurance coverage for contraception or employee benefits for same-sex couples.
“It must be noted, however, that any available exemptions for religious institutions will not apply if a college that was founded as a religious institution has become largely secular,” Theriot cautions. “It is therefore vital that Catholic colleges and universities maintain their Catholic identity in all of their programs in order to best protect their religious character and mission.”
Earlier today, January 11, 2011, the federal government continued its assault on the religious liberty of Catholic institutions when the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that Manhattan College could not prevent faculty from unionizing on the basis that it is a religious institution. Despite acknowledging that the College is recognized as Catholic by the New York Archdiocese, the NLRB reviewed College statements and course content, finding “that the purpose of the College is secular and not the ‘propagation of a religious faith’.”
“For decades since the infamous Land O’Lakes declaration, too many Catholic colleges and universities have straddled the line between Catholic and secular,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “While the Vatican and bishops have patiently encouraged the renewal of Catholic identity, state and federal regulators are increasingly demanding that Catholic colleges justify their claims to be religious. For all but a handful of faithful Catholic colleges, this is a difficult if not impossible task. The great danger is that colleges faithful to the Magisterium will have their religious liberties stripped from them and that the slow process of renewal at other Catholic colleges will be short circuited by the government.”
The Cardinal Newman Society has been tracking the pattern of government interference in Catholic higher education since 2009. CNS has raised concerns about new U.S. Department of Education regulations encouraging state intrusion into higher education, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruling against faithful Belmont Abbey College for refusing to cover contraceptives in its employee health plan, and state-mandated contraceptive coverage in student and employee health insurance.
In November 2010, CNS hosted a closed-door meeting with bishops and presidents of faithful Catholic colleges to discuss ways to defend the religious liberty of Catholic institutions of higher education. At the meeting and in The Cardinal Newman Society paper released today, Theriot identified ten factors that federal courts may consider when determining whether a school is exempt from certain laws as a religious organization. Several of the same factors were used by the NLRB in its ruling against Manhattan College.
Theriot issues this chilling warning in the introduction to his paper:
“Catholic colleges and universities have an advantage over other religious institutions in that the Catholic Church’s Canon Law and the Apostolic Constitution Ex corde Ecclesiae lay out the requirements for a college to be considered Catholic. While Church law is beyond the purview of this paper, it should be noted that a college that does not faithfully adhere to and apply the Catholic Church’s own law might find it difficult if not impossible to convince a secular court that it is a Catholic institution deserving protection.”
Read the 10 recommended strategies for defending against secular attacks on religious liberty here.
Adam Wilson
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Charlotte Hays
60 Comments
I am not surprised to see this happening! Why should anyone be surprised, when we look at Notre Dame, Georgetown, Marquette, et. el. Are they truly Catholic or are they Catholic in name only? Next the government will take their tax exemption away! All our Catholic institutions, every one of them including Catholic hospitals and medical centers (reference; St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix), should immediately stop taking any money of any kind and for any reason from the government. Lets stop being slaves to this or any government and go back to being slaves to the Will of the Almighty! God bless Belmont Abbey College. Fight the good fight and your reward will be great!
Thank you for your comment, you are right. The only way to stop this is to stop taking any money from the government. They have no right to control the Catholic Church and our teachings. Especially on the issue of our Catholic Hospitals being forced to perform abortions. God help us in this fight. Pray the rosary daily.
This could be a blessing in disguise. Maybe these so-called Catholic colleges will stop straddling the fence and return to the principle of running an institution consistent with the teachings of the Church.
Michael, you may be right! The time is coming when the line will be drawn. You are either Catholic and believe in the Holy Word, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium or your something else!
Actually, that time is already here and has been here for awhile now.
There is a Global Economy (doesn’t have the dirty tinge of “New World Order”).
Satan has ordered the attack on the church and it happens on a daily basis. That’s nothing to fear unless you don’t believe in the blessings of Our Lord Jesus. The greatest trick of the devil has been to convince mankind he doesn’t exist. If the devil does not exist, then God must not exist, etc.
Just don the armor of our Lord on a daily basis and don’t despair. These things have to occur.
God Bless.
I agree – they are lying about representing Catholicism….and it is very confusing to non-Catholics to hear teachers teaching their pro-abortion agendas.
For well over a century Catholic social teaching has upheld the right of workers to organize. Can a college that wants to call itself Catholic refuse that right?
Joe, it’s not the right to organize that is in question. It is whether the institution follows, as Michael puts it, “the principles of running an institution consistent with the teachings of the Church”.
I have found in other posts on this issue, the obstruction of unionizing is never discussed. And, I would agree that not allowing the teachers to form a union violates the Social Justice teachings of the Church.
But unionism is a two edged sword. While the Church recognizes the right of a union to exist, there is also such a thing as a just union cause. As I remember from my highschool days, one cannot strike unless the anticipated outcome will benefit the worker. To destroy the school curriculum or the company in the name of worker rights doesn’t comply with Church Teachings. Today’s unions (probably not all but certainly the teachers unions and the large unions such as the service (SEIU) union) are no longer, in my view, a legitimate union. Those unions are run by leaders who have become a propagandizing machine for the secular progressives on a national level.
There’s something rather telling about this situation, speaking as a graduate from one of the more conservative Catholic colleges. Schools like Thomas Aquinas College, Christendom College, Wyoming Catholic College, and others, all have problems of their own in the normal course of providing a good academic service, but one problem they do NOT have, being Ex Corde Ecclesiae schools from their very inception, is maintaining a Catholic identity. It is to the degree that they do NOT maintain this identity, they understand, that their education suffers; because the Catholic faith is true, and truth is not opposed to itself; moreover, the Catholic faith is, for the most part, the principle of Western Civilization in its fullness. Bl. John Henry Newman knew this better than anyone; Thomas Aquinas College’s mission statement and founding document, the “blue book”, consciously quotes “The Idea Of A University” at every single turn.
With regards to the case, moreover, whether Catholic social teaching upholds unions or not is neither here nor there for the court ruling, since it is understood that it ought to be left to the autonomy of the institution that can demonstrate a disagreement on that point for religious reasons. And indeed, there is a difficulty on that count, because the teachers’ unions uniformly enforce hiring regulations that, first, are bad for schools because they make the firing of incompetent teachers impossible; second, they make the restrictions on who will be hired broader, so that a Catholic university may be forced to hire an openly gay teacher to teach classes pertaining to sexual morality; and then, moreover, on the case of both students and teachers the PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), the EEOC and the general attitude of various accreditation agencies all give the schools the mandate that they must provide immoral and illegal services, or provide payment to the givers of those services.
Schools should not have to unionize because unions no longer do that for which they were intended as laid out in Rerum Novarum and Centesimus Annus. But even if they were, it is not the place of the government to force a religious institution to provide contentious, and above all, optional services, least of all to students for whom this would cause moral offense. Thus, we see that the loudest protesters in the Belmont Abbey suit were not faculty members, but students.
Correct michael and Michael!
I attended Manhattan College several decades ago, and it was not at all Catholic even then. Amazing how the government can do what our bishops can’t: deciding what college is or is not Catholic.
Catholic universities were chartered by state governments, not by the church. And their charter included provisions that they educate people from all religious backgrounds without discrimination. When most were founded many universities discriminated against Catholics, or created hostile environments for Catholics and Jews. Thus local church leaders thought it best to open new universities that would not discriminate. They were never chartered for the purpose of converting others to Catholicism and by law they had to be open to all.
Within the secular state charter, these Catholic universities forged a Catholic identity in many ways, but mainly by teaching catholic theology and requiring that all students take at least some of these courses. The presence of priests in large numbers also projected a Catholic identity. So did kindness and the avoidance of hostility towards students from other faiths or no faith. They also generally hired Catholic laymen as faculty when they could not find suitable priests.
As Catholic colleges sought to increase their academic strength and reputations they began to hire faculty strictly on the basis of scholarly achievement and potential for achievement. As a result many now focus their Catholic on student services, which are completely under the control of the administration while faculty must be granted academic freedom and a great degree of autonomy.
I do not see the need for such harsh words about these Catholic universities. Some who want to adhere to a strict Catholic identity may seek to become Pontifical universities (right now only Catholic University holds this status). Others will continue to fulfill their pastoral work through the chaplain’s office and other student services. In reality in their teaching and research endeavors they are primarily secular. There is no such thing as Catholic science or Catholic math or Catholic anthropology or Catholic biology or Catholic history (except as a specialty within a broader History department) or an English literature that is exclusively Catholic. Needless to say a Classics department primarily teaches pagan authors.
Not true. After completing graduate studies in nursing at Gonzaga University, I can tell you there is definite deviation from Catholc teaching in the Sciences. Just because a University teaches a subject with known truths doesn’t mean they will be loyal to those truths. I was taught the validity of the gnostic gospels, the need for access to abortion and contraception, the value of leadership such as Margaret Sanger and Sarah Weddington, and on and on and on. Catholic truth pervades all subject matter and it doesn’t take much to pervert absolute truth to hungry college students.
I attended a Catholic University for 2 years as undergraduate – two Lay Teachers, who were promoted, – one openly pushed the pro-abortion agenda in class and made fun of me if I was anti-abortion, using the students who were Catholic to snicker at my strong stance against abortion. The other literature teacher had “Broke-back Mountain” “Property” and “In Cold Blood” as required reading…..it was a sad day for me – I felt “robbed” of my self-dignity and ability to refute their “agenda” – it was poison to the term a “Catholic University” – I am very pleased to see the title “Catholic” being removed from universities who are lying about it.
If their lack of Catholicism is obvious to most Catholics and to the Feds maybe it will become obvious to the Bishops too! How about we hold them to our standards first, then complain about the Feds after they become Catholic In word and deed
(via iPhone)
Well said JohnnyBoy!!!
We are living in a time when so many people do not know what the Church teaches and are thinking that Catholicism is like something in a cafeteria where one can pick and choose what one likes. The faithful need to “get back to the basics” and truly begin to live what Christ taught without regard for what secular society deems to be popular. The spiritual battle will continue to intensify and the Church needs prayer warriors to come to the front lines. Hold fast!
To Fr. Neil Buchlein; I agree with the need for prayer. I pray the daily rosary for our colleges too. I would add that Fr. Corapi of EWTN focused on the main cause for some Catholics not knowing the Faith when he said it was caused by poor catechesis. We need parish based, ongoing classes of catechesis for adults, already practicing Catholics. How in the world can the laity evangelise when many do not have a thorough understanding of the faith? God send us another St. Charles Borromeo!
Fr. Buchlein – I agree with what Diane said, we need ongoing catechesis. Is there any reason why catechesis cannot/does not take place within the homily at each and every Mass? Just think of how much a poorly catechized Catholic could learn in the course of one year. Most homilies I hear may encourage people to apply whatever message was in the readings, but never do I hear specific references to anything such as the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy, the specific Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the specific graces bestowed by each Sacrament, the need for the Sacrament of Penance (along with some directives on confessing and some assurance that it is not an unpleasant experience), and most of all, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. I’m sorry to have to say this, but I see priests who are dropping the ball when it comes to demanding “People, pay attention! You are at this moment in the Presence of God. Jesus Christ IS here with us, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. He is no less present with us at this very moment than He was with His Apostles at the Last Supper. If you understood this, you wouldn’t be talking to each other or reading the bulletin or doing anything other than being in awe of Him and worshiping Him.” I can’t help but notice that many people attending Mass seem to be as thrilled to be there as they would be if they were in the check-out line in the grocery store, so I know the priest notices. Yet there is no call to change. So Father, IS there some reason why catechesis isn’t taking place during the homily?
As an attorney I don’t see how this could be constitutional. But then the Constitution doesn’t apply anymore since it means only what some Federal judge says it means.
As far as organising; workers in an institution whose primary purpose is inculcation of Catholic identity and values fundamentally differ than workers in an institution whose primary purpose is profit. Should parishioners be able to organise and select their priests or bishop?
Comparing workers to parishioners is comparing apples to oranges.
Any time that the government decides who is “Catholic” and who is not is time for concern.
When the government sets out its own criteria for what constitutes faith and the teaching of faith, then we have a serious problem with freedom of religion. Since when in the USA does any part of the goverment feel free to dictate the Creed of any religious sect in order to decide who adheres to it and who does not?
Excellent article. Kudos to the CNS for taking the lead in initially bringing this issue to the attention of Catholic college Presidents.
One unintended consequence of the Fed action here is that it may force “Catholic” colleges to decide if they want to be authentically Catholic or not, rather than merely appear so to attract Catholic students. It may end a lot of hypocrisy on that score.
Well said Patrick!
I am not suprised at all with this ruling. It is another stab on the back by the liberals of this country who are constanstly chipping away our religious rights and I also blame catholics who are only practiciting by name who do not care about their faith nor defend it. In our parish we have people who call themselves catholic and like abortions. How can you stand by something so evil and against GOD and consider yourselve “catholic”. These cafeteria catholics are the ones who are hurting the church. They do not educate themselves about their faith and are complete “ignorant” on what the church stands for and they dare to stay in it just because. It is truly a shame but I do not only blame the “liberals” but catholics themselves for not standing for they believe.It is indeed a sign of the times.
Living in an area where Catholic primary and secondary schools are not available it has been my dream for my children to attend a Catholic College. Having recently done the college search with my daughter I cannot tell you how disappointed it was to visit so called Catholic colleges and universities only to find little if any Catholic identity. Most schools required only one religion class for all students and in general the atmosphere seemed to down play their Catholic identity. On another note the cost of these schools was so far out of our ability to pay that it ultimately drove us to reconsider and send her to a local Presbiterian school and live at home. When it comes down to it, like most things it is all about MONEY! These schools have sold their souls for more money and prestige. What a shame for our children.
And what about so-called Catholic hospitals? I work as a chaplain at one such hospital that has steadily and at the direction of the remnant of what was once a magnificent order of religious women, moved toward ever increasing secularization of its health care system. More and more hospitals that were once Catholic are either doing the same thing or have already dis-affiliated with the Church. The heroic women who founded these institutions would be appalled at what is happening in them today.
From a February 14, 2008 John Allen, Jr. article in NCR, he stated: “St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University is among the biggest and most dynamic campus ministry programs in the country. It’s a vocations powerhouse, having produced 112 priests and religious so far, with 39 more Aggie alums currently in formation. Each year the center averages 8-10 vocations to the priesthood and religious life; last year’s total was 16. By itself, St. Mary’s therefore generates more vocations than many dioceses. The center’s six weekend Masses regularly draw around 4,000 students. (Roughly 25 percent of A&M’s student population of 45,000 is Catholic.)” I do not recommend NCR, yet here was the only place I found recent statistics.
Go figure. A secular university with a dynamically authentic Catholic ministry producing much needed Priests. My friend, Fr. Michael Martin, O.F.M., is now Director of the Duke Catholic Center after 14 years as President of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, MD. I believe Fr. Mike is a rare jewel within authentic Catholicism, and will likely have wonderful life lasting positive influences on many students and their families as he has done so well at Curley. Is there a deeper yearning for the Real Presence in the younger generation? Do many high school graduates seek and find a deeper Catholic faith within some secular universities today than in many so-called Catholic universities? Go Texas A&M; Go Duke! Personally, one of the most holy campuses I’ve been on (Summer Retreats) is Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. Unlike my alma mater, St. Joseph’s U. in Philadelphia, I support Franciscan University. Go figure!
Synergy, both my daughters and both my sons in law are Tx A&M graduates. The boys converted to Catholicism and are outstanding orthodox ‘take it to ‘em’ Catholics. The Holy Spirit is at work in College Station.
AMEN to all of the previous posts!!!
I pray everyday not only for correct catechesis for the young but for adults. I really find it mind boggeling to be in church or with frinds that haven’t cracked a book in years or taken classes on their faith. If you don’t know it(and you never know enough)how can you share/evangelize. I open my mouth without knowing enough-but will look for the answers-when I hear a friend say things like “can there be more than “one” truth or all religions are the same..we all have one God. I’ve been there, yes some have the same God but not the fullness of the Catholic faith.
I believe that the divergence from Catholic identity is a breach of fiduciary duty on the part of the trustees of these once fully Catholic institutions. The founders and generations of donors to these institutions gave believing they were giving to strengthen intellectual life and Catholic institutions. To take that endowment and convert it to secular use is near criminal.
As a renegade Catholic, I have a few observations:
1 – The Church started losing its ground along with so many other decent institutions in the ’60′s, ’70′s.
2 – It must get “back to basics” – youth are crying for some guidance – the “anything goes” while attractive, means everything is loosy-goosy. I teach at a public univ. – standards are often frightening to youth raised in an “anything goes” society.
How and why to get it back
1 – Refuse federal/state money, period.
2 – Require religious classes – students don’t have to believe it but they have to know it. As I told my son after he decided he was an atheist at age 12 (!) – “You will go through confirmation. If you decide you’re an atheist after that, at least you’ll have a foundation as to why you are one.” He’s not an atheist.
3 – Stop teaching the social garbage of X studies – teach real history.
4 – Remember, the Catholic Church, for all its mistakes, is still the longest running institution in the history of the human race. Yes, Hinduism and Buddhism came before, but I don’t believe they have the structure the Catholic Church has – and they hold people down – the Catholic Church raises up people.
5 – Pope Benedict may be the best person to lead the church now.
6 – Know that you simply cannot please everyone, period. Set your standards and go. Students don’t have to attend Catholic institutions, it’s their choice. You set the standards.
Those who are concerned with Catholic formation on college campuses should look into the Brotherhood of Hope. As a parent you might want to send a child to one of the secular campuses served by this new and effective ministry. Google: Brotherhood of Hope. The Brotherhood of Hope might be predictive of how Catholicism will be preserved during the college years.
Pray with a humble heart. Next you go to the root cause. Students and Teachers. Talk to students, let them know it is alright to challenge a professor or chancellor who incorrectly promote the principles of our faith. Young people are very smart, they will at times question their faith, but professors that challenge the young persons’ faith by teaching them principles in opposition to the faith? No not acceptable. To compare Faith vs Secular, yes but why? Students know what the secular teaches, they are bombarded with that everyday on TV, Radio, Music and more. Our Institutions should teach doctrine with a strong dose of personal responsibility. Professors overstepping the line of teaching secular principles need to stop. I believe the US Church Leadership have the responsibility and have not acted comprehensively to protect the students in Catholic Universities against Political Correctness of the Secular World. Forgive me if I have offended anyone. Our most precious asset is the next generation.
This comes as no surprise. Frankly, I am angered that colleges that flouted the dictates of Ex Corde Ecclesiae are suddenly running back to the fold when they want or need an ‘excuse’.
Hopefully this is a wake-up call for colleges and universities that are Catholic in name only. Reading this article, I have to think that Notre Dame is ripe for such an action. Jenkins has certainly run this once-seminal Catholic institution into just another venue for secular indoctrination.
Parents concerned with a strong Catholic college identity combined with Franciscan values of peace and active service to the poor might want to look into the University of Steubanville in Ohio.
All I can say is they are sowing what they reaped…Notre Dame, Georgetown, Marquette, etc. no longer subscribe to nor uphold Catholicism. Their actions and hires are anti our beloved church and despite our warning the administrators, they have chosen to do as the Congress and the POTUS – ignore the will of the people. So they are reaping what they have sown. Moreover, the supposedly Catholic universities are IGNORING the teachings of Christ, His church, and His laws. Shame on all of them. I have NO sympathy for them; yet, I will continue to pray they have a change of heart and mind.
God has a way of turning seeming defeat into victory, if we follow Him. We must adhere precisely to Catholic identity while at the same time vote out Obama and his Administration in 2012 for their continual Anti-Judeo-Christian and Anti-Intents of the Founding Fathers actions and propaganda.
Osher Doctorow
There are several issues here but the one that I am concerned about is why the college would resist its faculty or staff having a union if they wish to have one? Secondly, on what grounds can a school resist union formation because it’s Catholic? Does the Catholic Church resist formation of unions at its schools and hospitals? Is this something about doctrine or canon law ow what? If people in a Chancery wanted to form a union, could they not do so for some legitimate reason?
No, there is no religious doctrine
forbidding unions…etc.
The practice of given all religious
organization (catholic, protestants,
jew,…etc) has been going on for
quite some tine…the reason is money.
Legislators had the opinion that by
giving religions tax breaks, and
legal considerations the religions
could survive and be a service to the
places where they exist in the area
of charities, religion, education.
Where the public resources is going
down we may need to rethink of ths
co-relation that may exist.
Thanks and Good Luck.
In Vatican Council II‟s PASTORAL CONSTITUTION ON THE CHURCH IN THE MODERN WORLD (1965), also known by its Latin name GAUDIUM ET SPES, the world‟s Catholic bishops teach: “Among the basic rights of the human person must be counted the right of freely founding labor unions.” (Par. 68)
ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR ALL, the 1986 “Pastoral letter of United States Catholic Bishops on Catho-lic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, states:“The Church fully supports the right of workers to form unions or other associations to secure their rights to fair wages and working condition … No one may deny the right to organize without attacking human dignity itself.” (Par. 104) In this document, the U.S. bishops further state: “We vehemently oppose violations of the freedom to asso-ciate, wherever they occur, for they are an intolerable attack on social solidarity”. (Par. 105)
While the concern for Catholic identity is valid to ensure against failing Catholic teaching, the above statements about unions IS Catholic teaching as well. The teachers should be free to form one, as well as any diocesan employees as you state.
No one is against the establishment of unions. Let them form unions, but nothing in the formation of the union should go against the teachings of the Catholic Church. Surely, you would not want a union to demand that the institution pay for abortions, or would you!
Keep up the good work and the fight against Saten. I’m praying very hard for you.
In our country freedom of religion is a
corner stone right, we should accept the
fact that we religious individuals and/or
institutions shoud not seek nor accept tax
breaks and public monies…For, by doing so
forces the gov to get into the religious
test business. And also forces others to
support religions not of their choice.
Yes maybe charities (and only charities)
might seek and accept tax breaks and
accept public monies…if the public has
the resources.
Welcome to the land of religious freedon
and private charities.
Thanks and Good Luck,
Frank Henry
Frankly, Mr. Henry, your position that acceptance of government monies by Catholic universities gives the government the authority to decide that a Catholic university is not part of the religion is totally illogical and erroneous. Catholics who attend Catholic Universities are citizens. And as such are entitled to the same protections/services from governmenet that any other citizen expects. Additionally, Catholic Universities ‘manufacture’ good citizens. Almost all of whom become highly productive contributors to our society and economy. As such, America is the richer for these Catholic Universities and is indebted to them for same.
Do you, Mr. Henry, believe that Catholic students at Catholic Universiteis are not entitled to any Fed. student loans/grants, etc. simply because they attend Catholic Universities?
Dear Mr. Grella, A governments authority to decide… Are you out of your mind. This government will not only decide what is and what is not a Catholic university, but will decide what medical treatment you will get when you retire and are no longer contributing to society, or whether, because of you disability, you will qualify for services. What babies will be permitted to live or to die. This government wants to be, and will do everything it can, to get into your life one way or the other, and we the people, continue to let them!
Mr. Grella, please wake up and smell the coffee before its too late!
Marquette just invited ex-Senator Feinstein, who voted all the way for abortion. I have written their President as the Mother of a former graduate of Marquette, We were protesting this. I would hope all Catholic Parents of students and Graduates of Marquette U. will also write and maybe wake up this institution who has prostituted being a Catholic University and go back to their roots.
If it means getting rid of the Jesuit influence, so be it!
I’ve for many years wondered why some religious orders, who maintain colleges(specifically, the Society of Jesus) don’t just own up to the fact that they, by seeking & accepting federal funds, are no longer “Catholic” institution, but are, indeed, secular in character. There is, to my mind, nothing wrong with the Society of Jesus owning 15 secular colleges & universities. But they have historically, always tried to split the difference, and now they and others are going to have that dicision made by the government. I don’t see this as, necessarily, a bad thing. Now, they will have to decide what they truly want to be.
Mr. Sorrell, Your right! The lines are being drawn and unfortunately they are being drawn by a secular, no anti-religious, no anti-Catholic government!!!
Is there a way where these so called Catholic colleges can have the name, “Catholic” dropped? If they are becoming more & more secular, why would they continue to be called “Catholic” anyway?
I hope you will consider reading my book “New Hope for Catholic Higher Education: ExCorde Ecclesiae, A Lay Perspective.” It is available on Amazon.com. I have been a Faculty member on a Catholic College Campus for 18 years. I discovered the apostolic constitution by accident online and was moved to write the book for Pope John Paul II. The book was hand delivered to Pope John Paul II just 6 months before he died. The Papal Gentleman who delivered it to him told me it made the Holy Father Smile! Praise God! God bless all who are praying for Catholic colleges. Suzanne Carpenter, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E. Associate Professor of Nursing
The idea that the Federal Government can decide that a Catholic University is not part of the Catholic Church is OUTRAGE ! ! !
Under what provision of the Constitution does the Fed beleives it has such authority ? And, who are the Federal Officers who came up with this idea ?
Catholic Universities teach Catholic doctrine. What’s next ? Will the Fed decide that Catholic High Schools and Catholic elementary school are not part of our church ?
The Federal government is really getting out of hand. . . We should sue the Fed for this “decision”.
Congress shall make no law establishing a religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. We have a long history of providing Catholic education.
I, for one, would really like to know how this “decision” came about.
Mr. Grella, If the institution is Catholic in name only then I don’t blame the government for its actions. If the Catholic Hierarchy does not take control of these institutions and bring them back into line with “Truth” then “we” will suffer the consequences!
I think this is good news. Time for the Catholic-on-in-name colleges to decide if they want to become Magisterium-loyal Catholic universities.
I found a list of the top Catholic universities here – http://www.romancatholicinfo.com/catholic-colleges-and-universities-top-catholic-universities/
Sadly, I totally concur with these revealing “truths” per our Catholic Univ-
ersities and their overall surrender to
Liberalism. Being a graduate of Fordham (’56), I’ve disassociated myself from them
after their promotion of”Vagina Monologue”
& the doctrine of “free-thinking”..The
Jesuit institutions have been captured by
the PC crowd and worse…This phenomenon
is part of what I refer to as: “The Dis-
mantling of Roman Catholicism”..Standby!
Thank you for getting the word out about this decision. Keep up the good work CNS!
A note about this decision.
The NLRB is a political board. One of the objectives of the current administration is to unionize the American work force. The NLRB is being used to accomplish that goal.
Whether a target organization is secular or religious does not matter to them.
Fortunately, it is a decsion only at the agency stage of the process and can be defeated further down the road. Nonetheless, it a BIG wake-up call to our CINO colleges and universities who want to have the luxury of advertising themselves to Church members as being catholic, but who are largely secular, if not anti-catholic in their activities.
Stay on top of this story CNS and let us know what we can do.
Thank you.
Did anyone read The Emperors New Clothes? We, including all of us, are playing the game. Never do we get to the heart of the matter nor do we choose to do so because the alluring bottom line is that magnet. Not until the individual lives the Way the Truth and the Light because he truly believes Jesus is GOD will this attituide of deception change. Remember we don’t deceive Him. Simple and short but to the point but all ages must fess up. Leadership, courage, surrender to truth, and re-examine of ones real conscience etc, etc
Just to touch on the union issue: when unions came into being (and yes there were some crooked ones) the main issue was to better things for the workers-who would not work if they criticized the company and did not have benefits/health care/pensions/or in some cases a home to live in after a lifetime of work.
My dad was in leadership during the ’50-70′s and worked for those who were really poor like my grandfather who had no pension, etc.
I will say in the 80′s he lamented that many unions didn’t seem to be in it for the worker anymore.
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[...] The NRLB board, which has at least four members of a five-man board appointed by Pres. Obama, just ruled that Manhattan College, a college run by a Catholic order, is not Catholic enough to qualify as a religious institution under national labor laws because its own documents say it pursues academic diversity (read more from Cardinal Newman Society and ADF here.). [...]
[...] Cardinal Newman Society press release: January 11, 2011 Immediately following today’s ruling that a New York Catholic college is not “religious” under federal law, The Cardinal Newman Society published an analysis from a top legal expert advising Catholic college leaders on ways to protect their religious freedoms by maintaining a strong Catholic identity. [...]
[...] Feds Tell College: You’re Not Catholic Cardinal Newman Society press release: Immediately following today’s ruling that a New York Catholic college is not [...] [...]
[...] The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) Blog comes this news [...]
[...] the Cardinal Newman Society, emphasis in original: Cardinal Newman Society press release: Immediately following today’s [...]