| While
it is not yet clear what amendments have been made to the National Conference
of Catholic Bishops' document regarding Catholic higher education, it is
clear that the document has been approved. It is disappointing that
the bishops did not respond to the appeal of theologians for further dialogue
with them prior to the vote on the document. Many theologians hoped
that discussions on a scale comparable to the discussions between bishops
and Catholic college and university presidents could resolve the difficulties
the document contained.
Catholic theologians and
bishops share a common goal—that is, the development and teaching of theology
that will serve the Church and the Church's mission to the world.
Their disagreements are over the means to this goal. The bishops'
document calls for juridicizing, legalizing, the relationship between theologians
and their bishops. This is what the requirement of a mandatum will
do. While some theologians welcome this and interpret it as an affirmation
of the importance of theology, most worry that it will foster a breakdown
of trust between bishops and theologians. As such, it may discourage young
scholars from pursuing theological degrees or from seeking teaching positions
in Catholic colleges and universities.
Theologians recognize the
concerns of bishops for genuinely Catholic theology, and they share these
concerns. However, efforts to control the work of theologians, as
they are laid out in this document, are both unnecessary and potentially
damaging to the best work of theology. Most theologians believe that
the rigorous procedures of scholarly peer review required in American colleges
and universities can serve well the concerns of the bishops. The requirements
of the academy, when implemented with justice and with concern for an institution's
mission, should foster responsible research and teaching. This serves not
only the academy and the wider society, but the needs of the Church.
Given today's decision by
the National Conference of Catholic bishops, theologians will work with
it as best they can. Departments of theology will be meeting to discern
responses. The Catholic Theological Society of America continues
to offer to assist the bishops with whatever new dialogues can take place.
The document needs interpretation, and the theological community stands
ready to participate in identifying remaining questions and concerns. |
