"Ex Corde Ecclesiae" (From the Heart of the Church) was issued by
Pope John Paul II in 1990 to emphasize the importance of the
relationship between bishops and Catholic colleges and universities.
The papal document called for “close personal and pastoral
relationships…between university and Church authorities, characterized
by mutual trust, close and consistent cooperation and continuing
dialogue.”
The U.S. bishops approved The Application of "Ex Corde Ecclesiae" for
the United States in 2001.
The 10-year review process in the upcoming
year will consist of dialogue between the local bishop and each
university president within his diocese to discuss how effectively the
document is being implemented.
Discussion points will include: Catholic identity, mission, service
rendered by the university, and continued cooperation between the bishop
and school president.
Bishops will report their findings later this year at the annual bishops' assembly in November.
Bishop Thomas J. Curry of Los Angeles, chairman of the Committee on
Catholic Education for the U.S. bishops' conference, announced the
beginning of the review on Jan. 20.
“This review will help us appreciate the positive developments and
remaining challenges in the collaborative efforts of bishops and
presidents to ensure the implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae in the
United States,” he said.
Bishop Curry added that collaboration between bishops and university
presidents is “essential to the spirit” of Pope John Paul II's document,
“which is why a working group of bishops and university presidents
created the review process together.”
During his papal visit to the U.S. in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
addressed Catholic teachers gathered at the Catholic University of
America, emphasizing that Catholic education should lead to an encounter
with Jesus, who teaches us the truth. Any failure to do so leads
Catholic institutions to fall short of their Catholic identity, he
said.
The pontiff also underscored that Catholic institutions must fulfill
their duty and privilege of ensuring that students receive instruction
in Catholic doctrine and practice.
“This requires that public witness to the way of Christ, …both inside
and outside the classroom. Divergence from this vision weakens Catholic
identity and, far from advancing freedom, inevitably leads to
confusion, whether moral, intellectual or spiritual,” he said during his
2008 speech.
Fr. Dennis Holtschneider, president of DePaul University and chair of
the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, welcomed the
news of the review on Jan. 20.
He noted that the Church and “the larger society are served well when
the leadership of both the Church and higher education institutions
work closely together.”
SIC: CNA/USA