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NOTRE DAME, IN - The Secularization of the Notre Dame Faculty
A "Must Read" Article by A Prominent Notre
Dame
Professor
In the September 10, 2007, issue of "America," Father
Wilson D. Miscamble, C.S.C., describes in compelling
detail the extent to which the Notre Dame faculty has
been secularized.
"America" deserves praise for publishing, and Father
Miscamble for writing, this courageous and candid
examination of the crisis in Catholic higher education
in general and at Notre Dame in particular.
Father Miscamble is one of the University's most
respected scholars and admired teachers. A former
Chair of the History Department and Rector of Moreau
Seminary, he is a prolific award-winning author of
books and articles and the recipient of both the
Francis O'Malley and the Sheedy awards for
excellence in teaching. His description of
the "Potemkin Village" aspects of Catholic education
should shatter the complacency of any who think that
all is well at Notre Dame.
If you have not signed the Project Sycamore petition,
we hope this article will impel you to do so. We hope
also that you will forward this message to all you think
might be interested.
There are disquieting signs that an effort may be afoot
to do away with the University's own Mission
Statement requirement that there be a majority of
Catholics on the faculty - a condition the Mission
Statement declares is essential to the school's
Catholic identity. In any case, given the trend, we can
expect continuing pressure on that policy. All who
want to see the downward spiral of Catholic faculty
representation arrested should speak up before it
becomes too late even to try.
Sincerely,
Project Sycamore Officers and Directors
Officers
William H. Dempsey ('52)
President
Joseph A. Reich, Jr. ('57)
Vice President
George L. Heidkamp ('52)
Treasurer & Secretary
Directors
Richard V. Allen ('57, '58)
Dr. Daniel M. Boland ('56, '61)
Timothy M. Dempsey ('89)
Dr. John A. Gueguen, Jr. ('56, '58)
Dr. Susan Biddle Shearer ('88)
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