STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Those who participate in that “great endeavor known as the Catholic university” know that they do so in response to Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all, explained Father Sean O. Sheridan, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, in opening the November 14-15 “Academic Freedom and Revealed Truth” symposium.

“Education is certainly an important component of what we do here at Franciscan University, but it’s also important at all educational institutions throughout the world,” said Father Sheridan, noting that Franciscan also strives to provide a Catholic education that answers “the Great Commission that Jesus gave each and every one of us.”

“Academic Freedom and Revealed Truth,” which was held on Franciscan’s campus, was open to all individuals interested in better understanding and implementing Ex corde Ecclesiae—the groundbreaking Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Higher Education released by Pope John Paul II in 1990.

The event’s presenters included Dr. Terrence Tilley, professor of theology at Fordham University in New York and the Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Chair in Catholic Theology; Dr. Reinhard Hütter, professor of Christian theology at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina; Richard Jusseaume, president of Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio; and Father Peter French Ryan, SJ, executive director, Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

“Academic Freedom and Revealed Truth” was the first in the three-part Fidelity and Freedom series continuing into 2015 and focused on both celebrating the 25th anniversary of Ex corde Ecclesiae and implementing its principles in today’s Catholic higher education.

Tilley explained that using a “one size fits all” approach to Catholic colleges and universities “seems unwarranted.”

However, “the application of Ex corde to the United States articulates a helpful general principle for maintaining the Catholic identity of the Catholic university,” he continued.

Tilley added that individuals of all backgrounds—including those either of faith traditions or no faith traditions—”are invited into the open circle of the Catholic university. The circle presumes—not without discussion, debate, criticism, and even disagreement—that an open and broad tradition, which others have called the ‘Catholic intellectual tradition,’ centers the circle, however diverse the positions that members take may be.”

Richard Jusseaume said that fidelity to the Catholic faith does not limit an academic institution’s freedom; rather, “it frees us to wander through the somewhat indefinable beliefs and practices of centuries of human thought and action while providing an anchor — a measuring stick if you will — that enables us to evaluate against an inspired standard that unites us, directs us, protects us, and frees us.”

Jusseaume credited Ex corde for Walsh College’s success and growth, adding that it is necessary for college and university presidents “to live our faith, proclaim it everywhere, and not wait until the moment of decision has passed.”

Father Ryan, who wrote a paper titled “The Catholic University and the Idea of Academic Freedom” only a few years after Ex corde was released, echoed these thoughts: “Freedom is crucial for the proper functioning of any university. But, freedom is always subject to various legitimate restrictions . . . Freedom is not an absolute value, but an instrumental value. The ultimate reason for the existence of a university is not simply to be free, but rather to search for and discover truth.”

Symposium commentators included Franciscan University professors Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, director of the Graduate Theology Program; Dr. Scott Hahn, the Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, Professor of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization; Dr. Daniel R. Kempton, vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of political science; and Dr. John Crosby, director of the Graduate Philosophy Program.

The dates for the second Fidelity and Freedom Symposium are March 5-6, 2015. The theme is the relationship between faith and reason, examined from the perspective of what Ex corde Ecclesiae calls Catholic universities to be. There is no charge to attend.

For more information and to register, go to www.franciscan.edu/fidelityandfreedom or contact Dr. Jonathan J. Sanford, associate vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of philosophy, at [email protected] or 740-284-5343. There is no charge to attend the Fidelity and Freedom Series, which is sponsored by the Franciscan University Henkels Lecture Series.

Here are direct links to the presentations, which can also be found at faithandreason.com.

• Father Peter Ryan, SJ: “The Catholic University and the Idea of Academic Freedom”
• Richar Jusseaume: “The Heart of the Matter: Academic Freedom and Religious Liberty”
• Dr. Reinhard Hütter: “Academic Freedom and Revealed Truth”
• Dr. Terrence Tilley: “Academic Freedom, Divine Revelation, and the Catholic University”