Questions about the university president’s contributions to Catholic identity

 

The University Board of Trustees’ recent announcement of the reelection of Father John Jenkins, CSC, as President of the University of Notre Dame has triggered mixed reactions among the Notre Dame community.

The decision, confirmed on January 30 at the Board’s winter meeting in Naples, Florida, entrusts Fr. Jenkins with the responsibility of leading the university for a third 5-year term, beginning on June 30, which will mark the end of his second term.  In addition, the Board elected to second 5-year terms Thomas G. Burish as University Provost and John Affleck-Graves as Executive Vice President.

The Trustees noted in their written resolution of the decision that Fr. Jenkins’ “unfailing commitment to the University’s Catholic character as well as to teaching and research excellence” stand as important factors in his reelection.

Mark Roche, the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, CSC, Professor of German Language and Literature, voiced his support of the decision.  He told the Rover, “I would say that Fr. Jenkins has advanced all aspects of our triadic identity (Catholic mission, undergraduate learning, and research and graduate studies); appointed and mentored a superb leadership team; brought tremendous resources to the University; reallocated the budget to advance priorities; and put renewed emphasis on accountability.”

Like the Board, Roche affirmed Fr. Jenkins’ contribution to Catholic identity, saying, “Despite all of this grueling activity, he has lost none of his sincerity and spirituality.”

Father Bill Lies, CSC, Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, also approved of Fr. Jenkins’ reelection:  “Father John [Jenkins] has a clear vision for what Notre Dame must be: a preeminent research university with a distinctive Catholic mission and an unsurpassed undergraduate education,” Fr. Lies told the Rover.  “He’s been unswerving in that conviction, and an untold number of students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and friends of the University have joined him in making that vision a reality.”

Not all, however, agree with the Board’s decision to reelect Fr. Jenkins.

Gerard Bradley, Professor of Law, told the Rover, “Fr. Jenkins has succeeded during these past nine years in leading Notre Dame to new heights of achievement in fundraising, in building projects, and perhaps in secular respectability.”

He added, however, that the university president has overseen several actions and events that have not reflected and are in direct opposition to Catholic teaching.

“The recognition of same-sex ‘marriages’ and the extension of benefits to ‘married’ homosexual couples last semester are just the latest in a long line of decisions whereby Fr. Jenkins has seriously wounded Our Lady’s University,” Bradley continued.

The Rover also gathered opinions from Sycamore Trust, a Notre Dame alumni network that strives to increase communication about issues related to the state of the university’s Catholic identity.  When asked about the Trustees’ announcement, William H. Dempsey, Chairman of Sycamore Trust, told the Rover, “I am not thrilled.”

Dempsey suggested that the reasons for the decision were primarily “business related,” and like Bradley, he acknowledged the university’s increased prosperity that Fr. Jenkins has helped stimulate.  Still, he finds little evidence to support the Trustees’ claim about the president’s contribution to Notre Dame’s Catholic identity.

“Fr. Jenkins’s administration was bookended by, at the beginning, his approval of the pornographic Vagina Monologues over the opposition of Bishop D’Arcy, and, at the end, his unforced encouragement and financial support of same-sex marriage through the provision of spousal health insurance and other benefits,” Dempsey continued.

Other actions Dempsey outlined include inviting “pro-abortion and anti-religious liberty” President Obama to speak at commencement in 2009, appointing trustees who support abortion and the controversial HHS mandate, and “most importantly, [failing] to change faculty hiring policy in order to add enough committed Catholics to meet the university’s own test of Catholic identity.”

“I do not question that Fr. Jenkins wants Notre Dame to be Catholic,” Dempsey continued, “but his way of showing it does not inspire confidence.”

Looking towards the future, Fr. Lies told the Rover of his positive expectations for Fr. Jenkins’ third term:  “In the coming years, I expect Fr. John will continue to lead Notre Dame’s efforts to serve the world and the Church and to form students who will put their learning at the service of justice.  I’m proud to collaborate with him in this important work.”

Though dissatisfied, Bradley has hope for the future of Fr. Jenkins’ administration.  “Now that the Trustees have entrusted him with another five years in office,” he said to the Rover, “Fr. Jenkins will have the time to rectify his mistakes, and to repair the damage he has done to Notre Dame.”

Professor John Duffy from the Department of English, Father Bill Miscamble, CSC, Father Bill Dailey, CSC withheld comments on the subject of Father Jenkins’ reelection.

 

Sophia Buono is a freshman majoring in the Program of Liberal Studies.  She loves to read and write and has found that her classes this semester fulfill those loves (over)abundantly.  Contact Sophia at sbuono@nd.edu.