Are Jesuits Catholic?

An interesting take on this question from the student editors of BC's campus paper -- the assumption seems to be that Catholic and Jesuit "values" are different. There are also a number of unexamined assumptions about what being "Catholic" means to BC, and about the relation of its Catholicism to BC's ambitions to be one of the "top"  or "premier" schools in the country. The particular issue discussed in this editorial (a GLBT dance at BC) is less important than the cluster of un-thought-through assumptions about what it means for the college to be Catholic. Perhaps Father Araujo may have some thoughts on the Jesuit vs. Catholic notion. This is from the BC Heights, 12/5/05:

  Cancelled GLBT dance challenges BC's focus

By Heights Editorial Board

The Issue: BC denies GLBT dance due to conflict with the church

What we think: BC should follow Jesuit values, not Catholic doctrine

The battle for equality on campus has been a long and arduous one. Last

semester, the Rally for Equality showcased not only how far the campaign for

equal rights has come, but also how important this cause is to a large

portion of the Boston College community.

The cancellation of a GLBT "safe zone" dance by the administration last week

has only done damage to this crucial campaign. While some may see the

University's decision as insignificant, for many it is an issue of great

importance, and one that may have grave consequences in the quest for equal

rights on BC's campus.

Though there are many potential motives for the cancellation, the University

has made it clear that this decision was based primarily on BC's role as a

Catholic university, and the seeming implications that follow that. A

statement by Jack Dunn, University spokesman, said that BC "cannot sanction

an event that is exclusive and that promotes a lifestyle that is in conflict

with church teaching and the Jesuit, Catholic mission and heritage of Boston

College."

This decision was not made by the church, but by the administration. Office

of the Dean for Student Development (ODSD) and Student Affairs concluded

that this dance was against the Catholic and Jesuit ideals of BC. The

decision by the University was not, however, a breach of the somewhat

misleading non-discrimination policy conceived just last year, which

actually provides little protection in regard to discrimination based on

sexual orientation.

As much as people might want to place the blame solely on the University,

there is a central issue beyond simply the actions of the administration

that must be addressed: the church and BC's relationship to it.

Church doctrine is certainly important to many Catholics, and it is

especially so for University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., and BC

as a Catholic university. BC's Catholic tradition is not something to be

taken lightly, as it defines the college as a premier university and an

institution that educates men and women not simply through book knowledge,

but through service and hands-on experience in the community.

The Vatican recently released a statement saying that it "cannot admit to

the seminary or to holy orders those who practice homosexuality, present

deep-seated homosexual tendencies, or support the so-called 'gay culture.'"

Though some support the report, that announcement has caused quite a stir

and much anger among supporters of homosexual rights.

Because it has long been a goal of BC's to be not only one of the country's

top universities, but also the premier Catholic university in America, it

would seem not only logical, but required that the University should abide

by these doctrines.

But the problem isn't that simple.

The question at this point is whether BC is willing to sacrifice its Jesuit

ideals of compassion and understanding in order to stay in the good graces

of the Vatican. In a message titled "Answering society's call" on the BC Web

site, Leahy said that "Boston College endeavors to educate a new generation

of leaders for the new millennium - men and women who will be capable of

shaping a new century with vision, justice, and charity - with a sense of

calling, with concern for all of the human family."

Certainly justice, charity, and a "concern for all of the human family" are

not consistent with banning GLBT students from holding a dance as an AIDS

Awareness Week fundraiser simply because of their sexual orientation.

Whatever the ultimate goal is, BC sits at a crossroads. On the one hand, it

can remain devout to each and every doctrine of the church, even if that

means treating members of the aforementioned "human family" as if they are

something less than that. On the other hand it can educate students in the

values of tolerance and understanding that seem to get lost far too often.

BC is an incredible institution because it remains faithful to the Jesuit

ideals of "men and women for others" and social justice for the greater

glory of God - not because it follows church doctrine to the letter.

BC's rise in national prominence has been fast and significant, but the

University can go much farther. As BC aspires to become one of the top

universities in the country - and steps have certainly been made to do so -

it has a choice to make. Regardless of varying views on homosexuality, every

BC student wants their BC diploma to mean more 20 years down the line as BC

becomes an even more respected university.

But will that be possible if a school that claims to espouse the values of a

man who accepted prostitutes as his equals cannot give the same respect to

gays, lesbians, and bisexuals?

The answer will become clear as BC decides what path it will take.