Although the Archdiocese of New York recognizes Manhattan College as "'Catholic", the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently determined that it could not prevent faculty from unionizing on the basis of it being a religious institution because after reviewing the college statements and course content it found that the purpose of the college was secular and not the "propagation of the faith." How many "Catholic" colleges does this apply to or for that matter how many Catholic schools?
It is a dismal state of affairs when a Catholic institution is not "Catholic enough" to meet secular laws yet is allowed to represent itself as "Catholic" to unwitting students and parents.
There are of course significant constitutional questions as to whether the NLRB should be able to overrule the decision of a Bishop as to what is or is not "Catholic" but we all understand the reality of the distinction being made. Unfortunately it seems that in some diocese the inclusion of a school or college in the listing of "Catholic" institutions means little; fortunately I do not believe that to be the case in our diocese.
Given the number of Catholic schools and colleges in the United States it is surprising that there are not national standards for such institutions and a national system of accreditation that publicly asserts whether institutions meet those standards. Is this not a natural role for the USCCB?
For now we have to rely upon the National Catholic Honor Roll for schools and the Newman Guide for Colleges and obviously we are proud to be recognized as authentically Catholic by both; but if a school or college that calls itself "Catholic" is not so recognized either by choice or as a result of not being selected how can you be sure that it is authentically Catholic? It seems that the sad answer is that you can't.
It is a dismal state of affairs when a Catholic institution is not "Catholic enough" to meet secular laws yet is allowed to represent itself as "Catholic" to unwitting students and parents.
There are of course significant constitutional questions as to whether the NLRB should be able to overrule the decision of a Bishop as to what is or is not "Catholic" but we all understand the reality of the distinction being made. Unfortunately it seems that in some diocese the inclusion of a school or college in the listing of "Catholic" institutions means little; fortunately I do not believe that to be the case in our diocese.
Given the number of Catholic schools and colleges in the United States it is surprising that there are not national standards for such institutions and a national system of accreditation that publicly asserts whether institutions meet those standards. Is this not a natural role for the USCCB?
For now we have to rely upon the National Catholic Honor Roll for schools and the Newman Guide for Colleges and obviously we are proud to be recognized as authentically Catholic by both; but if a school or college that calls itself "Catholic" is not so recognized either by choice or as a result of not being selected how can you be sure that it is authentically Catholic? It seems that the sad answer is that you can't.
This…dynamic of communal identity - to whom do I belong? - vivifies the ethos of our Catholic institutions. A university or school's Catholic identity is not simply a question of the number of Catholic students. It is a question of conviction - do we really believe that only in the mystery of the Word made flesh does the mystery of man truly become clear (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22)? Are we ready to commit our entire self - intellect and will, mind and heart - to God? Do we accept the truth Christ reveals? Is the faith tangible in our universities and schools? Is it given fervent expression liturgically, sacramentally, through prayer, acts of charity, a concern for justice, and respect for God's creation? Only in this way do we really bear witness to the meaning of who we are and what we uphold. Remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, April 17, 2008
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