03-16-2013, 06:08 AM
Catholic universities tend to be a strange amalgamation of liberal and conservative views that share one common theme (other than the fact that the views are the official teachings of the Church) - the administration runs the university and is the final authority in settling any disputes, almost by extension some type of papal infallibility..
Around 20 years ago, St. Johns University in New York changed their sports team nickname from the Redmen to the Red Storm. The politically correct University president, a Catholic priest named Father Donald Harrington, decided HE was going to change it regardless of what the students, alumni and fans thought. After all, Fr. Harrington knew better and he always did the right thing regardless of criticism. Incidentally, this was way before the NCAA was strong-arming schools to go in this direction so Harrington imposed a solution where there hadn't been a problem.
Since then their basketball program has been in the dumps and the Catholic Church itself has been racked by scandal after scandal. Yet none of the Cardinals' or bishops'statements has been as forceful or as decisive as Fr. Harrington's bold and courageous decision to operate forthrightly way back when.
Father Harrington link
Around 20 years ago, St. Johns University in New York changed their sports team nickname from the Redmen to the Red Storm. The politically correct University president, a Catholic priest named Father Donald Harrington, decided HE was going to change it regardless of what the students, alumni and fans thought. After all, Fr. Harrington knew better and he always did the right thing regardless of criticism. Incidentally, this was way before the NCAA was strong-arming schools to go in this direction so Harrington imposed a solution where there hadn't been a problem.
Since then their basketball program has been in the dumps and the Catholic Church itself has been racked by scandal after scandal. Yet none of the Cardinals' or bishops'statements has been as forceful or as decisive as Fr. Harrington's bold and courageous decision to operate forthrightly way back when.
Father Harrington link