For those who have been observing the nation's Catholic universities and colleges, the phrase neatly encapsulates what has been transpiring within these institutions since as late as the 1960's. Namely, in an effort to be "real" universities and colleges, many Catholic universities and colleges have consciously chosen the pathway of increased secularization. Arguably, the vanguard in pointing out the way along this pathway is Washington's Jesuit university, Georgetown University.
One of the items in this week's CNS blog concerns Villanova University, located 12 miles west of Philadelphia. According to the posting, Villanova will be hosting the "radical militant gay rights performer (and member of an anti-catholic group)", Tim Miller. CNS reports that Millers' "art" has included simulating intercourse and lewdly exposing his naked body. Miller has also criticized the "hideous religious baggage" that Americans have and said laws defending traditional marriage are "right out of the Third Reich."
The details concerning how Miller was invited to perform at Villanova are sketchy, but it appears that an associate professor of communications, Heidi Rose, sent out an "email blast" to Villanova students announcing the invitation.
Rather than comment directly upon the invitation, The Motley Monk is more interested in commenting upon the Georgetownization of Villanova University by asking two questions concerning the process of issuing an invitation like the one apparently extended to Mr. Miller:
- What goes through a professor's or administrator's mind when issuing an invitation to someone possessing Mr. Miller's resume? Surely, an invitation to an avowed homosexual rights advocate should cause a professor or administrator to pause and question whether the invitation is consistent with the institution's Catholic identity.
- What possibly in the word "Catholic" (as in "a Catholic university in the Augustinian tradition") could connote that the form of performance represented in Mr. Miller's resume integrates "faith and reason"? That's quite a stretch, The Motley Monk would observe. But, when invitations are issued, evidently the word "catholic" is more germane in the decision-making process.
Then, too, one must wonder what students are being taught at Catholic institutions, like Villanova. In this instance, consider the notice of Mr. Miller's visit that has been published by Villanova's graduate English program's blog, "The YAWP." Almost breathlessly, the blog states:
This April, renowned performance artist Tim Miller is coming to Villanova for a week-long artist residency....
The performance workshop will take you through an intimate process of self-discovery and exploration, focusing on identity and culture, questions of diversity and difference, knowledge of self and others, etc. Throughout the week, each participant will develop and refine her/his own original, solo piece that will be performed on Friday, April 20.
Because of the intensity of the workshop, we require a commitment to participating in the entire workshop and a maximum of 25 participants. BUT, no prior performance experience is necessary—this is a big time commitment, but we can assure you that it will be a life-transforming experience!
The Motley Monk would observe that if professors and administrators cannot be trusted to uphold the Catholic identity of their institutions, then the Georgetownization of U.S. Catholic higher education cannot be far from a fait accompli. One thing is sure: Mr. Miller's "life-transforming experience" isn't quite what Pope John Paul II had in mind.
Let the discussion begin...
To read the CNS blog, click on the following link:
http://blog.cardinalnewmansociety.org/2012/02/07/villanova-to-host-radical-militant-gay-rights-performer-and-member-of-an-anti-catholic-group/
To read the Villanova Graduate English blog, click on the following link:
http://villanovagradenglish.blogspot.com/2012/02/visiting-performance-artist-tim-miller.html
From:
ReplyDeleteADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
MEETING WITH CATHOLIC EDUCATORS
Conference Hall of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
"It comes as no surprise, then, that not just our own ecclesial communities but society in general has high expectations of Catholic educators. This places upon you a responsibility and offers an opportunity. More and more people – parents in particular – recognize the need for excellence in the human formation of their children. As 'Mater et Magistra', the Church shares their concern. When nothing beyond the individual is recognized as definitive, the ultimate criterion of judgment becomes the self and the satisfaction of the individual’s immediate wishes. The objectivity and perspective, which can only come through a recognition of the essential transcendent dimension of the human person, can be lost. Within such a relativistic horizon the goals of education are inevitably curtailed. Slowly, a lowering of standards occurs. We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom. We witness an assumption that every experience is of equal worth and a reluctance to admit imperfection and mistakes. And particularly disturbing, is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of ‘risk’, bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love."
Well, you might start with having primarily Catholic professors at the University (particular those who would take an oath of faith!). Dr. Rose, alas, is not a Catholic, not that this would matter considering the majority of NOVA Catholics are barely Catholic themselves. But at least in this instance, it is a non-Catholic professor going "rogue" as it were.
ReplyDelete