Renovo: The Catholic Higher Education Blog

The article Anne posted below points to the fact that the principles and spirit of Ex corde Ecclesiae are still alive.  I recommend a re-reading of the infamous “Land o’ Lakes Statement”.  There’s really no comparison to Ex corde Ecclesiae.  LOL presents a narrow and meager view of Catholic higher education.  It dismisses Catholic liberal arts colleges, and as a new “gold standard” for Catholic higher education offers emulating an undefined “academic excellence.”  As a sort of “vision” for Catholic higher education it offers “a Catholic-sponsored pluralistic society.”  Christ is never mentioned, nor is truth, faith and reason, the integration of knowledge, or the magisterium.  The authors’ collective inferiority complex is deeply embedded in this document.  ECE, however, is a rich and comprehensive discussion what it really means to be a Catholic university.  ECE still speaks to Catholic educators and continues in inspire and guide.  LOL impacted Catholic higher education, but it never offered anything approaching inspiration.  How refreshing it is to read Fr. Sweeney’s comments about Catholic higher education and know that the spirit of ECE remains alive.