While manifestations of Catholic life at Notre Dame are abundant, is there a potentially fatal fault line that has opened out of public view?

Let's begin this discussion with the threshold question whether there is a serious threat to the Catholic identity of Notre Dame. I say there is. The School's Mission Statement tells us so.

That provision declares that the school's Catholic identity "depends upon" the "continuing presence" of a "predominant number of Catholic intellectuals"...   more »

What's more important, Catholic identity or pride of position in the U.S. News & World Report hierarchy?

Some, perhaps many, will argue that it's more important to pursue scholars with the most impressive academic credentials than it is to maintain a Catholic majority on the faculty. They regard Father Jenkins's ...   more »

If the risk to Notre Dame's Catholic identity is so evident, why don't more seem concerned?

Here's an interesting question for discussion. We've heard from some who think the number one goal for Notre Dame should be still further improvement in its academic reputation in secular academe. If that means ...   more »

Should those in governance ensure that the faculty's latitude in hiring will not trump the Mission Statement?

How can the Mission Statement's requirement be met?

Although the President holds ultimate authority, as a practical matter hiring has been left almost entirely to departmental faculties. Father Jenkins has been stressing the ...   more »

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