Catholic Identity: Confusion Or Crisis?

Catholic Identity: Confusion or Crisis? One of Ave Maria University’s strongest appeal is its firm Catholic Identity rooted in Ex Corde Ecclesia. Identities held to such high standard, however, are prone to ridicule. The history of Catholic higher education has proven so. Has the Catholic identity of Ave Maria University been questioned? Yes. The Spring of 2015 proved this to the extent that multiple outside sources were portraying Ave Maria University in a negative light, explicitly ridiculing the Catholic identity. Problems that seemed to be the cause of confusion last Spring were two-fold. On one side, there was a questioning of the Catholic identity specifically of the students. The other was a questioning of the relationship between
Additionally, concerning the Catholic Identity issue of requiring philosophy and theology course, Ave Maria University is certainly aligned with Ex Corde Ecclesiae as students are required to take three courses in each field. Furthermore, the Cardinal Newman Society noted in February of 2015 that Notre Dame’s faculty is less than 50% Catholic while Ave Maria University maintains a faculty of approximately 92% Catholics. A questioning of Notre Dame’s Catholic identity, therefore, is quite just. Ave Maria, contrarly, has thus far upheld its Catholic identity. To examine where it might be faltering, Ex Corde Ecclesiae must be carefully considered. Ex Corde Ecclesiae maintains that there are four essential characteristics of a Catholic University. First, a “Christian inspiration.” Second, “a continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith” in research and study. Third, “fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church.” Fourth, an “institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human
Even if these weren’t the case, though, the Catholic Identity wouldn’t be debunked based on any of these terms. Latin, while it definitely enhances the study of theology and philosophy, is not imperative to the four characteristics of a Catholic university. Addistionaly, the Angelus is a beautiful Catholic prayer, but not saying it does not lessen a Catholic Identity. Co-ed visitation hours can actually deepen a Catholic identity as virtuous fellowship can be wrought from them. It is also important to note that they are heavily restricted, and from a petition started by a student government representative, it is evident that students desire more freedoms concerning visitation hours, not that they are a problem. To address the “loud parties, street harassment, and public drunkenness,” Stacy Laffere, a spokeswoman for Ave Maria University, stated, “There is constructive criticism and then there is reckless criticism” and most of the complaints can be attributed to a “loud minority.” Furthermore, it is absurd to think that Catholics are without sin. We’re all sinners, so the fact that activities