University not simply a ‘degree factory,’ warns Cardinal Poupard
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Madrid, Spain, Feb 3, 2009 / 11:48 pm (CNA).- The president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Cardinal Paul Poupard, said this week Catholic universities must make “the comprehensive formation of the person” a priority and that centers of higher learning must not become “mere degree factories.”

During a seminar on Catholic universities organized by the John Henry Newman Institute of the Francisco de Vitoria University in Madrid, the cardinal explained that the “university cannot just yield to the demands of the market and become a mere degree factory,” since its mission one of “passionate service to the truth.”

Cardinal Poupard also noted that the Catholic university must prioritize “the comprehensive formation of the person” in all areas of knowledge, because only by seeking the growth of the human being will it help to avoid “a world dominated by soulless experts.”

“The mission of the Catholic university is not complete if it does not aspire to evangelize,” the cardinal continued, calling on university professors to “be teachers of their students and not only instructors.”

“The future of humanity is in the hands of those who know who to give to upcoming generations reasons to live and reasons to hope,” he added.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Robert Matzinger
Taylor/Michigan/USA 05/10/2009 08:57 PM EST
To many once Catholic universites have lost their identity today. They are more concerned with being "diverse" and embracing any and all ideologies than they are in embracing and holding fast to the truths of the church that founded them. Colleges today are concerned about how the "public" views them are institutes not only where all are welcome, but all positions are equally valid. Many years ago our Catholic schools taught that abortion was wrong, but today mnay of our Catholic universities take no public stand on it. Apparently we do not want to offend those who choose a "pro-choice" position and want to show them that we also recognize their choice as equally valid. Is is any wonder that our young Catholics are confused when even their own schools won't stand up for Catholic values?
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