I guess that’s why I see the merits of having something like the CNS. And perhaps instead of attacking it as saying some schools aren’t “catholic”…which I don’t think it does, perhaps we should give them some constructive suggestions on how they could improve their criteria?

If we were to do such a thing…what do you guys/gals think would be something constructive to add to their criteria in order to improve their list in your view?

I wrote to them and asked what their specific criteria were for their list and they said the primary factor is “Catholic Identity.” Their Q&A section reveals a little more. Here’s a clip from it:

This Guide represents the Catholic colleges that we were able to identify as placing a premium on their Catholic identity in all aspects of campus life. They also provide a good education. Among those colleges not included in the Guide are some with strong academic credentials but that do not have, in our opinion, the same commitment to Catholic identity. The opportunity for strengthening spiritual formation during the college years is enhanced where Catholic teachings are constantly reinforced. We believe that the best combination of spiritual and academic commitment is reflected in the colleges recommended in this Guide.

They also say:

What is Ex corde Ecclesiae?
It is the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic higher education issued by Pope John Paul II in 1990. The document, which is available at
TheNewmanGuide.com, identifes what constitutes Catholic identity at Catholic colleges and universities and specifies General Norms
to achieve a Catholic mission. These Norms are binding on Catholic colleges as an application of Canon Law. In 1999 the U.S. bishops approved guide-lines to implement Ex corde Ecclesiae in the
United States; these became effective in 2001.

Compliance by the U.S. Catholic colleges and universities varies widely. Clearly, a Catholic institution that minimizes or subverts Ex corde Ecclesiae, which has the force of Canon Law, has serious problems with its Catholic identity. All colleges recommended in this Guide
enthusiastically support and abide by Ex corde Ecclesiae.

What are you all’s thoughts on that and how their criteria process could be improved to better reflect what you feel the list should be?

I agree with everything expressed in this piece and do know that college presidents and faculties, secular and religious, have this almost medieval approach to the university being priveleged ground. Seems to me, on top of all this that the times are indeed changing, from the bottom up at the gigger schools and “outside-in” with the advent of new Catholic colleges that this 1999 document has traction. We do, however, need to remember that everything in our beloved church happens in God’s good time, not ours. So as one who prays constantly for patience it is important to remember that today’s young Catholic has more together with regard to her/his faith than I did when I was that age. I am encouraged.

Comment box discussions are challenging for many reasons and it’s easy to get caught up on specific ways things are worded that stick out to you personally, but may not have been intended in that way by the writer. I know that’s the case with the way some interpreted or over simplified a few of the things I wrote. It’s easy to end up spending too much time defending the way we worded something or the way somebody took offense or the way we didn’t really mean it like that, etc. All the while, as Mark said, if we were all discussing over a meal we’d probably most all be nodding our head in agreement, learning from each other and building some solid friendships.

I think it’s safe to say that we’re all much more interested in how we help solve the bigger problem of improving the true Catholic identity of our many imperfect Catholic colleges.

Here is something that was written even way back in 1999 (i think)….what do you all think?

http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/1999/december_1999_4.html

Once again, I have no doubt that the CNS is trying to serve the greatest of causes in which the Church is engaged, this side of Jerusalem.

Once again, I have studied the matter and come to the conclusion that the CNS, despite its laudable intentions, has actually done a disservice.

So we have a disagreement.

Our disagreement, however, is not over CNS’ intentions; neither is our disagreement over the gravity of the crisis (whether inside the Church or whether within the larger society…culture…civilization); our disagreement is over the real usefulness of a single tool.

Perhaps this puts things into perspective.

For the record, I think that when Georgetown allowed the President’s people to cover the iota – eta – sigma (IHS), they betrayed their Catholic identity much more fully, and compromised their commitments far more profoundly, than did ND.

I dealt with ND extensively over at my place, especially here: http://fidetrat.blogspot.com/2009/04/nd-obama-what-williamson-affair-has-not.html

On G’town, I had this:
http://fidetrat.blogspot.com/2009/04/hoya-saxa-what-rocks.html

Can we now agree to disagree about the relative usefulness of the CNS guide and begin to talk constructively about how to strengthen Catholic identity on campus?

Best, C.
p.s.

If all are agreed, I would be happy to put something up over at my place, so as not to hijack Matt’s com-box.

Great post and my frustration needs to be put placed in the form of prayer! You didn’t say this, but profoundly this is what I got from your post.

You stated:

My training and study has led me to believe that I must work within the system somehow (again, I am not sure how) to correct, improve, influence, teach, give example and do every other form of evangelism combined with prayer to make better what I see.

We are all part of the body of Christ, and we cannot possibly do it all on our own, I think you realize that. I struggle with this at times, but I have to remember to be the person that God called me to be. I have to remember to be an instrument for Him. Unfortunately the instrument (me) can be out of tune too often, so I am asking God to tune me before he uses me as an instrument in the orchestra!

Anything we do we should do it for Him. I fail at times, but what matters is how fast we pick ourselves up and push forward.

You state,

If we fight to call some not on “our” side, then I fear the opponent has succeeded.

I am afraid that some maybe wolves in sheep clothing. I have a hard time discerning those who are on “our” side. I don’t know what is worse a secular school or a school that claims to be one thing, but the actions sometimes do not reflect the claims it makes.

I am also one of those Catholics who refuse to go to a parish where the crucifix is not present. So I may be too orthodox/conservative for some.