Earlier this month, I interviewed Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Harrisburg, PA, who will soon be installed as the Catholic ordinary of Fort-Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, home of Notre Dame University. The bishop is clearly prepared to set a high standard for Catholic institutions of higher learning.
During our interview, published in the National Catholic Register, he affirmed his commitment to the full implementation of Ex
Corde Ecclesiae, Pope John Paul II's groundbreaking document that set forth the proper mission and religious identity for Catholic colleges and universities. Bishop Rhoades told me:
"According to Ex
Corde Ecclesiae, the bishop has the responsibility “to promote and
assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity.” I
believe this is a serious responsibility. As Pope John Paul II stated: Bishops
“should be seen not as external agents but as participants in the life of the
Catholic university.” I am really looking forward to participating in the life
of the University of Notre Dame and in the lives of the other Catholic colleges
of my new diocese."
I asked him about the substance of a closed-door meeting on Catholic universities, conducted during the U.S.bishops' semi-annual meeting in Baltimore this November. He responded,
"I do not think it would be appropriate
for me to discuss the private conversation during the executive session of the
fall meeting of the USCCB. I will say, however, that the bishops are committed
to the full implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae,
an important document which provides excellent guidance for the Church and
Catholic universities and colleges for the future. It must not be a
document consigned to a bookshelf, but one which inspires and challenges us to
strengthen the Catholic identity and mission of our Catholic universities and
colleges. Nearly 20 years since its promulgation, Ex
Corde Ecclesiae continues to have great relevance."
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