Ex Corde Ecclesiae: An Application to the United States (1996)

Introduction

On August 15, 1990, Pope John Paul II issued an apostolic constitution on Catholic higher education titled Ex Corde Ecclesiae. Addressing the identity and mission of Catholic colleges and universities. The apostolic constitution also included general norms designed to help fulfill its vision. The general norms are to be applied concretely by episcopal conferences, taking into account the status of each college and university and, as far as possible and appropriate, civil law. The following document makes that application to the United States in a manner which complements, and does not repeat, the themes and ideals of Ex Corde Ecclesiae itself. This document should be read in conjunction with the general norms.

Catholic colleges and universities are participants in both the life of the church and the higher education enterprise of the United States. As such they "are called to continuous renewal, both as 'universities' and as 'Catholic.'" [1] This twofold relationship is described in the May 22, 1994 joint document of the Congregation for Catholic Education and the pontifical councils for the Laity and for Culture which states that the Catholic university achieves its purpose when:

"It gives proof of being rigorously serious as a member of the international community of knowledge and expresses its Catholic identity through an explicit link with the church at both the local and universal levels - an identity which makes concretely the life, the services and the programs of the university. In this way, by its very existence, the Catholic university achieves its aim of guaranteeing, in institutional form, a Christian presence in the university world." [2]

This relationship is clarified through dialogue which includes faculty of all disciplines, students, staff, academic and other administrative officers, trustee, and sponsoring religious communities of the educational institutions, all of whom share responsibility for the character of Catholic higher education. The bishop and his collaborators in the local church are intregal parties in this dialogue.

The Catholic college or university is related to the entire ecclesial community [3], to the broader society [4], as well as to the higher education academy. [5] We are directing special attention to the relationship between the institutions and church authorities. Ex Corde Ecclesiae itself provides a useful framework to address this specific relationship:

"Bishops have a particular responsibility to promote Catholic universities, and especially to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity, including the protection of their Catholic identity in relation to civil authorities. This will be achieved more fully if close personal and pastoral relationships exist between university and church authorities, characterized by mutual trust, and consistent cooperation, and continuing dialogue. Even when they do not enter directly into the internal government of the university, bishops "should not be seen as external agents but as participants in the life of the Catholic university." [6]

Each of these elements in the pastoral relationship of bishops with Catholic colleges and universities warrants attention.

I. Mutual Trust Between University and Church Authorities

A. Mutual trust goes beyond the personalities of those involved in the relationship. The trust is grounded in a shared baptismal belief that in the truths that are rooted in Scripture and tradition as interpreted by the church concerning the mystery of the Trinity; God the Father and creator, who works even until now; God the Son and incarnate redeemer, who is the way and the truth and the life; and God the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, whom the Father send. In the spirit of communio, the relationship of trust between college/university and church authorities, based on these shared beliefs with their secular and religious implications, is fostered by mutual listening, by collaboration that respects differing responsibilities and gifts, and by a solidarity that mutual recognizes respective statutory limitations and responsibilities.

B. From this it follows:

1. That the institution's relationship to the church, in accord with the principles in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, be affirmed by the institution through public acknowledge of its Catholic identity in official documentation (eg. mission statement).



2. That when appropriate, bishops acknowledge publically the service of Catholic colleges/universities to the church and support the Catholic identity of the institutions of this identity is unjustifiably challenged.



3. That the institution, following its own procedures in the hiring and retention of professionally qualified faculty and staff, makes serous effort to appoint individuals who are committed to the Catholic faith tradition or, if not Catholic, who are aware of and respectful of that faith tradition.



4. That the institution, aware of the contributions made by theologians to church and academy, expects them to present authentic Catholic teaching.



5. That the local bishop, aware of these contributions and in accord with his ecclesial responsibility, in circumstances where he questions whether or not an individual theologian is presenting authentic Catholic teaching, follows and takes appropriate action. [7]



6. That "Doctrinal Responsibilities: Approaches to Promoting Cooperation and Resolving Misunderstandings Between Bishops and Theologians," approved and published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, June 17, 1989, is adopted as the appropriate procedure to assure a process acceptable to both bishop and faculty member.

II. Close and Consistent Cooperation Between University/College and Church Authorities

A. Collaborating to integrate faith with life is a necessary part of the "close personal and pastoral relationships" [8] to which colleges/universities and bishops aspire. Within their academic mission of teaching and research, in ways appropriate to their own constituencies and histories, including their sponsorship by religious communities, institutions offer courses in Catholic theology that reflect current scholarship and are in accord with the authentic teaching of the church.

Many cooperative programs, related to Gospel outreach, already flourish throughout the country. It is highly desirable that representatives of both educational institutions and church authorities identify, study, and pursue solutions to issues concerning social justice and the needs of the poor.

Allocation of personnel and money to assure the special contributions of campus ministry is required. In view of the presence on campus of persons of other religious traditions, its is a concern of the whole church that ecumenical and interreligious relationships should be fostered with sensitivity.

B. From this it follows:

1. That the institution has a plan for fulfilling its mission as Catholic which develops the Catholic intellectual tradition, encourages ways to grow in the practice of the faith and be of service to the church. [9] The plan also addresses intellectual and pastoral contributions to the mission of evangelization, [10] service to the poor, social justice initiatives, and ecumenical and interreligious activities.



2. That provision is made cooperatively for adequately staffed campus ministry programs, including opportunities for the sacraments and other liturgical celebrations. [11]

III. Continuing Dialogue Among College/University Representatives and Church Authorities

A. Dialogues occasioned by Ex Corde Ecclesiae are graced moments characterized by:

(a) a manifest openness to a fuller analysis and local appropriation of Catholic identity,

(b) an appreciation of the positive contributions which campus wide conversations make, and

(c) a conviction that conversation can develop and sustain relationships.

A need exists for continued attention and commitment to the far-reaching implications - curricular, staffing, programming - of major themes within Ex Corde Ecclesiae. These include Catholic identity, communio, relating faith to culture, pastoral outreach, the new evangelization, and relationship to the church.

B. From this it follows:

1. That a mutual commitment to regular dialogues to achieve the goals of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, according to local needs and circumstances, is honored by institution and diocese.
2. That periodically every Catholic college/university undertakes an internal review of the congruence of its mission statement, its courses of instruction, its service activity and its research programs with the ideals of Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
3. That the National Conference of Bishops, through an appropriate committee structure, continues its dialogue with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities regarding its application of the ideals and principles expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae.

The bishops of the United States, in offering this application of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, join in the sentiments expressed by Pope John Paul II:

"I turn to the whole church, convinced that Catholic universities are essential to her growth and to the development of Christian culture and human progress. For this reason, the entire ecclesial community is invited to give its support to Catholic institutions of higher learning and to assist them in their process of development and renewal." [12]

Footnotes:

1. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Introduction n.7.



2. "The Church's Presence in the University and in University Culture" Origins, June 16, 1994.



3. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Introduction n. 11.



4. Ibid., Part II, n. 2.



5. Ibid., Part I, n. 12.



6. Ibid., Part I, n. 28. Pope John Paul II - Address to Leaders of Catholic Higher Education, Xavier University, September 12, 1987.



7. The mandate of Canon 812 will be the subject of further study by the NCCB.



8. Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Part I, n. 28.



9. Ibid., 38ff.



10. Ibid, 48-49.



11. Ibid., Part II, n. 6, n. 2.



12. Ibid, n. 11.

Note: This document was approved by a vote of 224-6 at the November 13, 1996 Meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.