Thursday, February 12, 2009
Is it just for Catholics?
There is some controversy going on over Boston College's decision to put crucifixes and other 
Christian artwork in each of its 151 classrooms. BC is a Catholic institution that, like DePaul, has a strong presence in the secular community. What do I mean by that? I mean that the schools are affiliated with the Catholic Church, both historically and in real life, but they are famous for lots of other things as well.
The newsletter "Inside Higher Ed" ran a story on the Boston College reaction. “I think it’s in an identity crisis,” [IHE quoted] Dwayne Eugène Carpenter, chair of the romance languages and literatures department of Boston College. “At the same time that it wants to proclaim its Catholic identity, it also wants to recruit the best. You can’t recruit the best by placing crucifixes in every classroom. You’re simply going to limit the number of people who will come here. And I’ve already heard of several faculty who have said, ‘You know, this is not a welcoming place, this is not the place that hired me, and I’ll be looking for a job elsewhere.’ ”
The Boston Globe notes a different point of view: "Personally, I'm glad that the university decided to increase the number of crucifixes in classrooms on campus," [they quote BC student Patrick Fouhy.] "Boston College welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all religious persuasions, but at the end of the day it is a Jesuit, Catholic institution and the crucifixes are a nice reminder of that."
And Elissa Klein, director of Jewish life at Boston College, said: "I spoke to several Jewish undergraduates tonight, who were all apathetic about the new religious art. It seems that many failed to notice it entirely. Others found it a minor change."
As a DePaul parent, I find the university's Catholic identity encouraging but not overpowering. Then again, I am Catholic. My son is not required to take any courses in specifically Catholic topics, but he does tell me he'll have to take some kind of ethics. He's looking forward to it. My son has not attended mass regularly since middle school, and I don't think he has gone at all for a couple of years. We did get him to go to my mother's (Presbyterian) church for Christmas Eve last year, but there's a definite gap between making Grammie happy and living his own life.
I would love for DePaul to make my kid feel more connected to the church he grew up in. I would welcome the presence of religious symbols in the classrooms. I think there is a difference between acknowledging Catholic identity and proselytizing, and I think as an institution DePaul knows where to draw the line. It isn't just about going to mass or hanging up crucifixes, anyway. The Vincentian tradition is one of service to the community, helping those in need whether they are Catholic or not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but unlike some Evangelical Christian charities, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul does not require aid recipients to attend a sermon or religious service as a condition of aid. If my son is any example, Depaul students take pride in their connection with "Vinnie."
I heard this joke when I was volunteering in a Catholic school: There was a kid who drove his mother and teachers crazy with his terrible behavior. His parents sent him to public schools, charter schools, independent schools and even a Presbyterian school. He was expelled from each and every one. Finally his parents, hearing that the Catholic were strong in discipline, enrolled him at "Our Lady of Fatima." So that their son could start with a clean slate, they decided not to tell the principal, Sr. Mary Tranquila, about his previous difficulties.
After his first week his mother went in, with some trepidation, check how he was doing. "Oh, he's a delightful child, " Tranquila told her. "We're thrilled to have him." The mom checked back again in a month: Same answer. This kept happening. Finally, she just had to ask her son, "What is so special about that school? Is it the teaching methods? The other kids?" Johnny shook his head to all her suggestions.
"They're serious about rules there, Ma," he said. "They nailed one kid to the wall!"
For information on Vincentian and Catholic art on Depaul's campus, go to their website.
Christian artwork in each of its 151 classrooms. BC is a Catholic institution that, like DePaul, has a strong presence in the secular community. What do I mean by that? I mean that the schools are affiliated with the Catholic Church, both historically and in real life, but they are famous for lots of other things as well.The newsletter "Inside Higher Ed" ran a story on the Boston College reaction. “I think it’s in an identity crisis,” [IHE quoted] Dwayne Eugène Carpenter, chair of the romance languages and literatures department of Boston College. “At the same time that it wants to proclaim its Catholic identity, it also wants to recruit the best. You can’t recruit the best by placing crucifixes in every classroom. You’re simply going to limit the number of people who will come here. And I’ve already heard of several faculty who have said, ‘You know, this is not a welcoming place, this is not the place that hired me, and I’ll be looking for a job elsewhere.’ ”
The Boston Globe notes a different point of view: "Personally, I'm glad that the university decided to increase the number of crucifixes in classrooms on campus," [they quote BC student Patrick Fouhy.] "Boston College welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all religious persuasions, but at the end of the day it is a Jesuit, Catholic institution and the crucifixes are a nice reminder of that."
And Elissa Klein, director of Jewish life at Boston College, said: "I spoke to several Jewish undergraduates tonight, who were all apathetic about the new religious art. It seems that many failed to notice it entirely. Others found it a minor change."
As a DePaul parent, I find the university's Catholic identity encouraging but not overpowering. Then again, I am Catholic. My son is not required to take any courses in specifically Catholic topics, but he does tell me he'll have to take some kind of ethics. He's looking forward to it. My son has not attended mass regularly since middle school, and I don't think he has gone at all for a couple of years. We did get him to go to my mother's (Presbyterian) church for Christmas Eve last year, but there's a definite gap between making Grammie happy and living his own life.
I would love for DePaul to make my kid feel more connected to the church he grew up in. I would welcome the presence of religious symbols in the classrooms. I think there is a difference between acknowledging Catholic identity and proselytizing, and I think as an institution DePaul knows where to draw the line. It isn't just about going to mass or hanging up crucifixes, anyway. The Vincentian tradition is one of service to the community, helping those in need whether they are Catholic or not. Correct me if I'm wrong, but unlike some Evangelical Christian charities, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul does not require aid recipients to attend a sermon or religious service as a condition of aid. If my son is any example, Depaul students take pride in their connection with "Vinnie."
I heard this joke when I was volunteering in a Catholic school: There was a kid who drove his mother and teachers crazy with his terrible behavior. His parents sent him to public schools, charter schools, independent schools and even a Presbyterian school. He was expelled from each and every one. Finally his parents, hearing that the Catholic were strong in discipline, enrolled him at "Our Lady of Fatima." So that their son could start with a clean slate, they decided not to tell the principal, Sr. Mary Tranquila, about his previous difficulties.
After his first week his mother went in, with some trepidation, check how he was doing. "Oh, he's a delightful child, " Tranquila told her. "We're thrilled to have him." The mom checked back again in a month: Same answer. This kept happening. Finally, she just had to ask her son, "What is so special about that school? Is it the teaching methods? The other kids?" Johnny shook his head to all her suggestions.
"They're serious about rules there, Ma," he said. "They nailed one kid to the wall!"
For information on Vincentian and Catholic art on Depaul's campus, go to their website.
Labels: Boston College, Catholic imagery, crucifix, St. Vincent DePaul
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I remember when we had our tour at DePaul, your son's favorite place we had seen was the church, St Vincent DePaul. They may not have a crucifix in every classroom, but there is a feeling of quiet faith that permeates that campus coming from that glorious church and the services they offer to the community of students and beyond. It is a real sanctuary in every sense of the word. And yet students of all faiths feel comfortable-and welcome-studying at DePaul.
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