Vassar or Notre Dame

D_yer_Maker
Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:21:40 +0000

I went to Notre Dame at a time when its Catholic identity dovetailed with many causes that liberal-oriented students could identify with. Notre Dame was influential in shaping the “Land o’ Lakes” statement in 1967(?) that asserted a sort of intellectual and academic independence from the Vatican for Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. The premise was that universities were well-suited to question and challenge church doctrine in a responsible way. To more religiously conservative minds, this watered-down the very nature of the Catholic identity. Any private university could challenge the Vatican. So, to be a Catholic university meant conforming to doctrine…and that’s exactly what happened in a document known as “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” that Pope John Paul II issued. “Ex Corde” put the universities under the oversight of the local diocese. For Notre Dame, this meant that the bishop in South Bend would have final approval over important decisions. Like whether the newly inaugurated U.S. President was acceptable to speak at commencement and receive an honorary degree. The bishop objected and boycotted the graduation ceremonies in 2009. Other bishops joined in the outrage that Notre Dame would pull an end run on the bishop.

So, think of the bishop as a Super Trustee with veto power – even though the bishop may have an arms-length or distant relationship with the university and have other fish to fry within the diocese. The university, in all likelihood, is simply one of the resources and assets of the diocese.

This is an important consideration, I think, for a student thinking of entering Notre Dame today. In terms of the Catholic identity, it’s becoming more and more socially conservative all the time and cleaved to established doctrine. It’s a battle that Notre Dame – despite its best and valiant efforts to resist the changes of “Ex Corde” – is already losing.

Here’s an op-ed piece from the Chronicle of Higher Education that discusses the transition from “Land o’ Lakes” to “Ex Corde” and where things are headed. Insofar as the history that’s spelled out, it’s a good account. I personally disagree with the direction of the author, an influential figure in the Cardinal Newman Society, a conservative organization that wants “Ex Corde” carried out to its most literal end. I don’t like what he says here, but this is where things are heading. And it’s been more than a year since this was written so it’s more than a year down the line.

[Catholic Colleges 20 Years After ‘Ex Corde’ - Commentary - The Chronicle of Higher Education](Catholic Colleges 20 Years After ‘Ex Corde’)

I’m picking up that you value liberalism when it comes to your college choice. I’d love for my alma mater to stock up on more students like you…but I wouldn’t recommend it as a place to spread your liberal wings and soar. And by the time the next four years are up, the skies won’t be one bit more friendly.