Defending Ex corde
Letter to the Editor
I am puzzled by the controversy surrounding the article on Ex corde Ecclesiae from the March 2, issue of The Observer. I am currently spearheading an effort to start a Catholic university in the Atlanta Metropolitan area; numerous Notre Dame graduates are involved as well. As part of our business plan development, we interviewed hundreds of academics (including theologians) and business leaders. We see Ex corde as a beautiful roadmap for establishing an authentically Catholic environment. Most people agree. In fact, most academics agree, with one primary exception: The required mandate from the local bishop for instructors teaching Catholic theology. Why is this an issue? Some erroneously claim that academic freedom will be undermined (it won't). Others resort to heated rhetoric and name-calling (not very charitable). Some have even refused to seek the mandate (in order to garner headlines).
Departments of theology are hardly alone in this requirement. Outside agencies monitor nearly every program and activity at universities: Medical schools, law schools, business schools and schools of education all work under considerable outside control. Earning a Ph.D. requires outside accreditation and certification. Catholic schools will simply be asked to engage in "truth in advertising." In other words, if schools claim to be "Catholic" and offer courses in Catholic theology, they should, it stands to reason, have someone teach those classes who both understands and respects Catholic theology.
Ex corde seeks to reanimate a dynamic Catholic intellectual tradition. It also hopes to build the Church and enrich individual lives. Detractors of Ex corde posit red herring after red herring. Don't believe the hype. Read the document yourself. It is available online at www.excorde.org.
Thomas J. Clements
Duluth, Ga.
March 5, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, March 6, 2001
