We blogged last week on the decision of Benedictine University President William Carroll to force the resignation of a professor who had her lesbian “wedding” announcement published in a local newspaper. On Monday, President Carroll released an open letter to the Benedictine community explaining his action and offering a powerful defense of the authentic mission of a Catholic university and the duty of its president.
We won’t reprint the entire letter here, but we offer a few great lines:
This is not about a person but about an institution, particularly, Benedictine University and its Catholic identity…
When something is publicly proclaimed and it detracts from the credibility of the institution for which that person works, however, there is a problem. When such actions are contrary to the teaching of the Church and the institution looks the other way, is the institution not demeaning and denying itself? …
When one sees the “Golden Arches” one knows what to expect when entering the restaurant. Likewise, when one encounters a Catholic university, a similar set of expectations arise. “Catholic” stands for something–a particular tradition, set of beliefs, and practices. For Benedictine not to be true to the tradition, beliefs and practices would make it less than a Catholic institution of higher education…
When faculty are hired at Benedictine University, I am the last interviewer. I am the last interview because I always ask the “religious question.” I make a simple statement to the candidate, something to the effect: “Benedictine University is a Catholic and Benedictine university with a set of beliefs and traditions. No matter your religious background and affiliation, you are expected to respect and honor this tradition and set of beliefs. Can you accept that?” …
What has been my role in this controversy, as president? Certainly, I do not set the doctrines of the Church nor do I change them. Rather, as president of a Catholic institution, I am a gatekeeper, among many other things. The University Mission Statement describes the University as Catholic, Benedictine and inclusive. To be a Catholic institution means that it subscribes to the Magisterium of the Church… My job is to protect and to continue the growth of the institution our founders put in place.
We highly encourage you to read the entirety of President Carroll’s open letter to the Benedictine University community here.
Adam Wilson
Charlotte Hays
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Tim Drake
Campus Notes 
15 Comments
I say a big amen to President Carroll’s letter. If more of our leaders in similar positions stood firm in the Church’s doctrine and our universities traditions we would not have the problems we do now. Thank you President Carroll and may others be encouraged to follow suit in standing for our faith.
Thanks be to God for President Carroll, who has shown himself to be a leader of integrity. As a Benedictine Oblate and a knighted Catholic, I commend him for this act of courage and pray he sways influence with other Catholic college presidents to do likewise–and even more.
Praise God for President Carroll. A Catholic University should adhere to the doctrine of, and the tradItions of the Catholic church. If one chooses to work at a Catholic Institution, one should adhere to Catholic principles. It is too bad the presidents’ of Georgetown Univeristy and Notre Dame do not share the same sense of responsibilty as President Carroll.
Better to be right in the eyes of God than be politically correct.
The students deserve teachers that respect their chosen beliefs.
I wish all Catholic universities were as committed to preserving the truth.
Who says that Georgetown University is Catholic? I am not aware of any Jesuit university that has defended the Magisterium since a great many Jesuits began supporting liberation theology. Jesuit universities were at one time arguably the best in the country. Today I discourage people from attending them.
If you want a couple of good examples of a real Catholic institutions of higher education, take a good look at Christemdom College at Front Royal, VA, and St. Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, CA One can get a superior 4 year integrated Catholic education at either of these Liberal Arts Colleges and a good backround in Catholic apologetics when you get your BA. After that You may wish to take grad studies at Franciscan University.
Unfortunately many of our seminaries are in the same condition as our secularized formerly Catholic universities. Read the book, “Goodby Good Men”. Most American seminaries are mor like cemetaries, with empty wings and very small classes. The good seminaries, while hard to find, are chock-a-block full. Among the good ones are those staffed by the Society of St. Peter, and the Institute of Christ the King.
Peace on Earth to men of good will.
John Kennedy
Thank you for standing up for our Catholic values and asking future employees if they are willing to support Catholic teaching. I am proud to say two of my children graduated from Benedictine.
Wow God bless you President Carroll Its what needs to be done everyday and every minute in America…Catholics need to stand firm on all Catholic dogma and you have done so….Maybe you could go to Georgetown or Notre Damne and have a Why Catholic conversation with all of those who are wandering from the Lords teachings…..God bless and keep up the fight….you have our prayers and blessing on this thanksgiving week and will say a prayer for you daily with the new Advent season upon us this Sunday
Thank you Pres Carroll for standing up to the bullies. Please continue to stand for your faith and don’t let anyone change your beliefs. It is a sin that we don’t have more like you. God Bless you and those who are not afraid to stand for the church.
Congratulations and prayers for the courage to stand up to the evils of this world so as to be eternally rewarded in heaven…a tough decision and an even tougher action but thanks be to God for this kind of leadership. Only if so many others would demonstrate a similar kind of courage…
Another amen! What is needed now is for the U.S. bishops to strip away the adjective “Catholic” from institutions like Georgetown in accordance with Ex Corde Ecclesia. Those institutions that have faculties willing to accept and proclaim adhereance to the dictates of that document will then be recognized by Catholic parents as schools deserving of their financial support.
May God Bless President Carroll for taking a stand against leftist agenda that has completely taken over the non-secular education system, and now has tragically infiltrated the secular institutions, both Catholic and protestant. I am certain that the historic Archbishop John Carroll of Baltimore, would be justifiably proud. (Not sure of any possible relation).
While I congratulate President Carroll of Benedictine University for his actions regarding this incident, I do question whether his views go far enough.
President Carroll states, “For the most part, what a person does is between her/himself and God.” Is it not Catholic teaching that every sin is social because it harms everyone else?
I’m not seeing in Carroll’s letter any compassion for those who illicitly act on same-sex attraction, any sign of hoping such persons will be cured of their affliction, whether by medical or psychological or miraculous means. I’ve seen the website of a counselor who helps men with same-sex attraction face the incidents in their past that denied them their proper development as men, helping them heal. Someone I knew in graduate school was miraculously healed of same-sex attraction. I hope President Carroll is not dismissing such possibilities. Welcome those with same-sex attraction? Yes. Leave them in their sin without offering to help, suggesting that they just work elsewhere? No.
Let us all pray for the success of scientific research into the genetic factors that contribute to same-sex attraction with the hope it promises of helping those who suffer from that attraction. Let us all pray for the souls of those who believe they are “happy” in such an attraction, for God’s way brings true, inner joy. Let us pray for continued strength for those Catholic college presidents who whole-heartedly support Catholic teaching and for those Presidents who waver from or abandon Catholic teaching, that the Holy Spirit would show them the truth and give them the courage to live it.
Dr. Divis, I am assuming you are referring to NARTH, Dr. Nicolosi, et al. (and possibly yourself). Totally concur and fully support your comment. However, I would also submit, that there is a time an place. The Holy Mother Church of pre-Vatican II days, was seen as too rigid and solely focused on the rules, completely counter to Christ’ message of compassion (i.e. The woman at the well). Counter to SSPX, I do see some of the benefit of the Vat.II, at least many more compassion filled confessionals.
I believe that Dr. Carroll’s stance was exactly that. First, let us regain the border between the non-secular and secular, then we can tackle the real issue to peal back the multiple layers of sin and hurt of fallen man, which have caused such a lack affirmation of the human person, which manifest themselves in “seeking” the affection that will never satisfy.
Enforcing just a few of the rules against the waive of “legal” insults counter to the Church’s doctrine, may make people realize that THEY need to take personal reponsibility in their actions. So, seriously why was this woman teaching at the University in the first place? Are there not other institutes where she can teach? What about those MEN who brought a case RE: their spouses birthcontrol, against Belmont Abbey, NC. Seriously? These are the sabatours (not to mention leaders, Notre Dame), literally the devil working within our Church to make the faithful lose hope. I realize that this is really just treating the symptom, and not the illness, but it is a place to start. PAX et vivat Iesus!
Finally, a Catholic leader who will take a stand. Unfortunately, we see fewer and fewer Catholic leaders who are willing to be the gatekeepers their positions require. Such lukewarm positions by Catholic leaders reduce their moral authority and leave the faithful without clear direction.
I add my congratulations to the President of Benedictine. Would that more institutions (read Notre Dame) would also be true to their Catholic heritage. Being too PC about important issues that threaten The Faith is why we are falling into the pit occupied by fallen-away Catholics. Its not about equality or fairness; it is about upholding the tenets of our Faith.