Washington D.C., Mar 16, 2008 / 01:57 am
As Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit to the U.S. draws near, interest in his address on Catholic education is on the rise. Some, including a prominent American archbishop, say the speech will call Catholic institutions to be more faithful to their Catholic identity, the Washington Post reports.
The Pope requested the meeting with more than 200 Catholic school officials from around the country. Though 195 diocesan education directors have been invited, the lecture will also be attended by presidents of most of the Catholic colleges and universities in the country. The speech is expected to focus upon Catholic higher education.
Debates in Catholic education have focused on questions of Catholic identity, such as whether a Catholic campus’ theology department must maintain Christian orthodoxy. Other questions include whether a campus should host pro-abortion rights political candidates or obscene plays such as “The Vagina Monologues.”
"One thing the pope will emphasize is the importance for all [Catholic] schools to realize that they aren't independent contractors, they are part of the church," said Father David M. O'Connell, the president of Catholic University, which is hosting the Pope’s April 17 speech.