Controversial Notre Dame priest accused of plagiarism…again

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Comments: 26

Meeting with a group of disadvantaged young people of the rehabilitation community of the University of Notre Dame in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Sydney
Address of the Holy Father on the Blessing of the Cornerstone of Madaba University of the Latin Patriarchate
Vespers Address to Priests, Seminarians, and Deacons at Notre Dame
A Marian prayer of Cardinal John Henry Newman

South Bend, Ind., Mar 14, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Just weeks after Father Richard McBrien, a controversial professor at the University of Notre Dame was essentially cleared by the University on charges of plagiarism, Virginia’s Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) has announced evidence of a separate--and far more sweeping case--this time involving the priest’s 1997 book; Lives of the Popes.

Yesterday, CNS said they faxed Notre Dame president, Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C an 11-page comparison of McBrien’s 1997 book, Lives of the Popes, and strikingly similar--sometimes exact--pages from Rev. J.N.D. Kelly’s 1986 Oxford Dictionary of Popes.

They pointed out that this situation was first reported in 1998 by University professor emeritus Rev. Marvin O'Connell, in the magazine, Books and Culture.

Patrick Reilly, CNS’s president said today that "Notre Dame's response to our first complaint was a whitewash, but this they cannot ignore"

"There is no valid excuse for a university professor to copy or closely paraphrase the wording of another's scholarly work without clear attribution,” he said. “If that is what has happened here-and the evidence is extensive-then Notre Dame's integrity is on the line."

Fr. McBrien’s previous allegations were also brought by the Cardinal Newman Society, along with Catholic blogger, Domenico Bettinelli and the Boston Herald newspaper.

They claimed that a column written by the priest in The Tidings--a LosAngeles Catholic newspaper--closely resembled a column and news items previously printed in the Boston Globe newspaper.

McBrien strongly denied the claims and Notre Dame’s theology department chair, John Cavadini dismissed the charges, according to a university report leaked to the National Catholic Reporter newspaper in January.

Cavadini has charged the Cardinal Newman Society as being a “militant right-wing Catholic interest group lobbying for the most stringent standards of orthodoxy to be used in courses and curricula at Catholic colleges and universities." Likewise, Fr. McBrien maintains that the group hasa“thorough bias” against him.

As of press time, Fr. McBrien was unavailable for comment.

In a letter sent yesterday to Notre Dame’s president, Reilly wrote that "On behalf of the more than 18,000 members of the Cardinal Newman Society-and in the interest of the students, faculty and alumni of the University of Notre Dame-I urge you to insist upon a serious investigation of the concerns raised about Fr. McBrien's work…Anything less than a serious examination, whatever the result, is less than wha tone expects from Notre Dame."

Comments: 26

Subscriber comments:

Published by: IRENE TRIGO
SINTON TEXAS 03/23/2007 12:21 AM EST

PLEASE SOMEBODY AT NOTRE DAME GET RID OF MCBRIEN. HE'S AN EMBARASSMENT TO EVERY CHRISTIAN ON EARTH. MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON HIM FOR DECEIVING SO MANY STUDENTS ABOUT THE FAITH.

Published by: Dave Molloy
Massachusetts 04/14/2006 07:13 AM EST

A lot of hate in these responses. Fr. McBrien is "not Catholic"?

We all need to "take our own inventory", pray more, and worry less about what Fr. McBrien writes.
If he plagiarized, he's wrong.
Move on.

Published by: Rev. Chris Fontanini
West Des Moines, Iowa 03/23/2006 11:13 AM EST

In fairness to Fr. McBrien, whom I do not agree with theologically, one needs to investigate throughly the charges of plagiarism and if found innocent, to clear his name, and if guilty, then appropriate action must be taken. Liberal or conservative, plagiarism is unacceptable.

Published by: kate mcleod
phoenix, AZ 03/16/2006 11:54 PM EST

he is just not worth commenting on. Here in Phoenix, ND is a laughing stock anyway.

Published by: Sylvio J. Levesque
Hallowell, Maine, USA 03/16/2006 10:23 AM EST

I have never understood and never will why a heretic of the nature of Fr. McBrien is allowed to contaminate the minds of our young people. He should summarily be dismissed from his teaching position at Notre Dame, a Catholic institution. He is NOT A CATHOLIC.

Published by: Father Benedict
Chicago, Illinois, USA 03/16/2006 09:40 AM EST

I personally find Richard O'Brien to be more Christ-like than Josef Ratzinger. Enough said.

Published by: Crescente Villahermosa
Virginia Beach 03/16/2006 08:03 AM EST

I am surprised that McBrien is still a professor at a Catholic University much less still a priest allowed the exercise of sacerdotal ministry. I bought his book Catholicism many years ago and it was one of my worst cases of wasting money. It did not enlighten nor strengthen my faith.

Published by: Chip Leinen
South Bend, IN 03/16/2006 12:48 AM EST

Since I live 1 mile from ND, I'm happy to see these good things happening on campus. There is so much hope here now.

You can read the whole letter including many of the comparisons here: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/Publications/News/Notre_Dame_McBrien_2.htm

Published by: Bob Henkels
Pittsburgh, PA USA 03/15/2006 05:09 PM EST

As with most liars, they need to include a portion of truth to allow listeners and readers to belive that it is all truth. This is Satan's best method of telling lies used by all people.

It is interesting that there is such a double standard when it comes to orthodox vs. unorthodox professors. To plagerize is totally inacceptable in education, either by professors or students. But this is ine of the pressures put on professors who must publish or perish. Personally, I would rather have someone publish the truth and be a good teacher, but being a good teacher is not considered important in education - only your ability to have the wackiest theory that proves the Catholic Church or religion to be wrong.

The fact that Fr. McBrien does not follow the Magesterium should be grounds for his dismissal. He has lead many to error and sin. I pray for his soul and his conversion (as well as my own) for his price will be high when he stands before God and must try to explain ho whe lead so many people into sin. "Better that a milstone be placed around his neck..."

Published by: The Fullness of Truth
Westfield, MA, USA 03/15/2006 03:39 PM EST

If it's true that Richard McBrien plagiarized directly from Rev. Kelly's writings without changing a word...than Rev. Kelly should be ashamed of himself.

Published by: Scott
Illinois 03/15/2006 01:17 PM EST

Let the investigation begin, let Fr. McBrien defend his work. This will be easier on him now, than at his Particular Judgment.

Published by: Mark Johnson
Glendora, CA 03/15/2006 01:07 PM EST

Does anyone know where we can read the side-by-side comparison of McBrien's work with the other?

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 03/15/2006 01:04 PM EST

I want to correct an earlier mistake in a letter below. I meant to say Bill Donahue, not Bill O'Reilly. I suspect people can see why they could be mixed up. I hope this is not journalistic fraud I have practiced.

Published by: Mark A.
Syracuse, NY 03/15/2006 12:31 PM EST

If the Church and Notre Dame hierarchy has done nothing to punish McBrien for his decades of heretical writings what makes one think that McBrien will will be punished for his plagerisms?

Published by: rev, phil floersh
tuscon/az/usa 03/15/2006 12:19 PM EST

Tony, ?your friend? Like all liberals...no originality but pelagiarism supreme!

phil

Published by: Allison
Delaware 03/15/2006 11:55 AM EST

"Independent" Catholic thinking?? Catholics must subscribe to the TRUTH. Our Pope has said "Truth is not determined by a majority vote". We have the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and obedience to it to lead us in our understanding of what makes us truly CATHOLIC.

As for plagiarism, if proven that excerpts are exactly lifted word for word and this WRONG reoccurs then it is shameful, sinful and deserves to be noted as such. Wrong is wrong. John Henry Newman would not have promoted plagiarism or disobedience to his faith.

Published by: Fr. Richard Libby
Alice, TX USA 03/15/2006 11:06 AM EST

Er, last time I checked, Bill O'Reilly was hosting "The O'Reilly Factor" for Fox News. Bill Donohue is the president of the Catholic League. Patrick Reilly (not O'Reilly) is the president of the Cardinal Newman Society.

Mr. Reilly has accused Father McBrien of plagiarism, not of independent thinking. If he can produce evidence to support his allegation, then the charge is neither "wild" nor "hate-filled".

Published by: Father Carr
Chantilly, VA, USA 03/15/2006 10:57 AM EST

The CNS' efforts to goi after Fr. McBrien for plagarism remind me of the feds going after Al Capone for tax evasion. Although I don't find this to be a particularly effective strategy by the CNS, the idea that Venerable John Henry Newman would support the heterodox and often scandalous views of Fr. McBrien would be laughable if his views weren't tragically leading some many Catholics to grave erro and sin, especially on such moral truths as abortion and contraception. Even the US bishops conference censured his so called catecism called "Catholicism." The real trajedy is that Fr. McBrien as actually able to teach in a "Catholic" university since he doesn't believe in many of the infallible teachings of the Church.

Published by: Rev. Joseph Santos
Providence, RI 03/15/2006 10:50 AM EST

If, in truth, Notre Dame is whitewashing the McBrien affair then, logically, all students have the right to follow in their professor's footsteps. Plagiarism is legal and accepted at Notre Dame. Papers purchased off the internet may be submitted under a new name. The academic credability of the University falls apart and the only thing worth keeping is the football team.

Published by: Matthew
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 03/15/2006 10:08 AM EST

Fr McBrien is a plagiarist,why must you attack the folks who are simply pointing this out?

Published by: Terr Duerr
Louisville, Ohio, USA 03/15/2006 09:25 AM EST

The main issue issue at Notre Dame is not just McBrien. We need to support Fr. Jenkins attempts to move ND back to the heart of the Church. He is receiving much pressure to maintain the liberal pagan bent of many of it's professors and students.

Published by: Leticia Velasquez
E Moriches NY USA 03/15/2006 08:59 AM EST

It seems that liberals have an extrodinary amount of tolerance for misbehavior on the part of their heroes, Bill and Hillary Clinton, OJ Simpson, Jesse Jackson, but no stomach for those who in the interest of intellectual honesty and the integrity of prestigious Notre Dame, would seek to rid it of an intellectually sloppy heretical priest whose claim to fame is leading the charge of the Catholic entry into the Culture of Death.

Published by: Amy Mitchell
Brewster, Ma 03/15/2006 03:25 AM EST

I read an examination of the two articles in question during the last round of enquiry and found the charges justified. I have not examined this charge but I would think that any institute of higher education would take a more serious look at obvious indications of plagarism. Perhaps they felt that a magazine article was not important enough to consider. I will await if they feel the same way about a book. They may not like the messenger but let's listen to him before we shoot him. Sincerely yours,

Published by: Bob Little
Beaverton, OR 03/14/2006 04:07 PM EST

I do not know if the information was at all plagiarized, but I appreciate the information in the book, and am very glad to have been able to read it.

Published by: Deacon John M. Bresnahan
Lynn, Ma. USA 03/14/2006 03:58 PM EST

I find it ludicrous to call the close examination of a scholar's works for plagiarism "hate-filled"-sepecially in the case of Father McBrien who has written some pretty nasty comments in print directed at orthodox Catholics.

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 03/14/2006 11:39 AM EST

Patrick O’Reilly of The Cardinal Newman society sounds more and more like Bill O’Reilly of the Catholic League. Both men tend to marginalize their well meaning organizations with accusatory language and wild charges. This time O’Reilly accuses the University of Notre Dame of whitewashing their hate-filled earlier claims about Fr. Richard McBrien. These people misappropriate the name of Cardinal Newman with their wild attacks on independent Catholic thinking. No doubt John Henry Newman himself would have been a target of their smears in the 19th Century.

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