20 April 2008

. . .the MONEY paragraphs. . .

There were many amazing moments in our Holy Father's address to Catholic educators. The following two are most definitely the MONEY paragraphs:

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 [BAM!]. 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 [OUCH!!!].

[. . .]

In regard to faculty members at Catholic colleges universities, I wish to reaffirm the great value of academic freedom. In virtue of this freedom you are called to search for the truth wherever careful analysis of evidence leads you. Yet it is also the case that any appeal to the principle of academic freedom in order to justify positions that contradict the faith and the teaching of the Church would obstruct or even betray the university's identity and mission [as we used to say in the early 90's: "Whoop, there it is!"]; a mission at the heart of the Church's munus docendi and not somehow autonomous or independent of it.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous9:47 PM

    Oh my ... a "whoop, there it is" reference. I am almost certain that is papal history, in that I doubt anyone prior to you has used that term in any ... any ... writings about the Holy Father! Too funny.

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