Neutrality in Hiring for Mission

Several MOJ contributors commented (here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) on Marquette University’s decision to first offer and then to revoke its offer to Jodi O’Brien to serve as the University’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

 

Now comes this story (here and here) according to which Seton Hall University is no longer considering Msgr. Stuart Swetland for the presidency of the University.  Although he was one of two finalists, and then the sole remaining candidate after the other person withdrew, the search committee determined that it would no longer consider Msgr. Swetland.  This was reportedly due to the “strong resistance from some on the faculty to hiring an orthodox Catholic to lead the school.”

 

I am certain that all readers of MOJ will see in the combined actions of Marquette and Seton Hall a judicious neutrality with respect to Catholic identity and mission – just what Ex Corde Ecclesiae called for, right?