Conversations Spring 2020 on Jesuit Higher Education Number 57
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Conversations Spring 2020 On Jesuit Higher Education Number 57 The World of Jesuit Institutions Under Pressure and Reaching Out Inside: The Unique Vision of Don Doll, S.J. SPRING 2020 NUMBER 57 Conversations Members of the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education On Jesuit Higher Education Gerard A. Athaide Loyola University Maryland Heidi Barker The World of Jesuit Institutions Regis University Ronald Bernas , editor University of Detroit Mercy Alice V. Clark Loyola University New Orleans Patrick J. Howell, S.J., chair Seattle University Timothy P. Kesicki, S.J. President, Jesuit Conference ex officio 23 Molly Pepper The Unique Vision of Gonzaga University Don Doll, S.J. Nancy Rourke Canisius College Stephen C. Rowntree, S.J. , sec Holy Name of Jesus Church New Orleans FEATURES Lucas S. Sharma, S.J. Seattle University CRISIS IN THE CHURCH Michael Sheeran, S.J. President, AJCU 3 Addressing the Church’s Clerical Culture, Richard Gaillardetz ex officio 8 A Movement to Restore Trust in Buffalo, NY , Maureen Hurley and Nancy Ware Clint J. Springer Saint Joseph’s University 10 Pastoralism Could Be a Way to Address Sexual Abuse Coverups in the Church, Michael F. Tunney, S.J. Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea Fairfield University Rachel Wifall HIGHER EDUCATION UNDER FINANCIAL PRESSURE Saint Peter’s University 14 Can Jesuit Institutions Afford Formation for Mission? Robert Niehoff, S.J. Conversations is published by the 17 An Ignatian Relighting of Contemporary Higher Educational Fires, National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education, which is jointly sponsored Timothy Law Snyder by the Jesuit Conference Board and 19 The Risk of Mission at Jesuit Schools, Erika M. Hollis the Board of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. 21 A Business Approach to Mission, Gerard Athaide The opinions stated herein are those 31 A Conversation: Staff Perspective on Layoffs and Difficult Times, Alice Clark , with of the authors and not necessarily those of the JC or the AJCU. Kathy Gros, Paula Saurage-Ruiz, Dianna Whitfield, Angelique Dyer , and Brian Lousteau Comments and inquiries may be 34 ‘Without a Vision, the People Perish’ Lessons from Wheeling, Jessica Wrobleski addressed to the editor of Conversations Ron Bernas University of Detroit Mercy GLOBAL REACH OF JESUIT HIGHER EDUCATION 4001 W. McNichols Road 36 A Dream for Greater International Cooperation Fulfilled, Michael Garanzini, S.J. Detroit, MI 48221-3038 phone: 313-993-1251 41 Jesuit Education: From the River Cardoner Across the Globe, e-mail: [email protected] Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J. For information about subscriptions 45 The Beijing Center Carries on Jesuit Traditions of Friendship and Scholarship, to Conversations: Stephen C. Rowntree, S.J. John Sember Secretary to the National Seminar 48 Transformation through Global Learning, Diane Ceo-DiFrancesco on Jesuit Higher Education Holy Name of Jesus Parish New Orleans 1575 Calhoun Street 51 STUDENT VOICE New Orleans, LA 70118 Phone: 504-865-2781 Building a Bridge of Solidarity, Michael Tanaka e-mail: [email protected] Conversations back issues are 12 AN HISTORICAL MOMENT: Canisius College, Audrey R. Browka available online at conversationsmagazine.org 55 TEACHING THE MISSION: From Desperation to Engaging Discussions, Design and layout by Pauline Heaney. Ellen M. Maccarone Printed by Peacock Communications, Fairfield, N.J. Cover: Traditional Turkana dancers perform at the graduation ceremony of the Jesuit Worldwide Webmaster: Lucas S. Sharma, S.J. Learning Program in Kakuma, Kenya. Photo by Don Doll, S.J. FROM THE EDITOR Three Crucial Topics in Jesuit Higher Education It’s become almost trite to type the phrase “the Catholic Because this is my first edition as editor, I would like to in - Church is in crisis.” It seems, in recent years, that the troduce myself. For most of my career, I worked at small Church is always in crisis, careening from one to another. and large daily newspapers as a writer, editor, and copy ed - When one fades away for a moment in one part of the itor. I left the field in 2000 and entered the more family- world, another arises somewhere else. Though not all the friendly field of public relations. Since 2015 I have been crises are inter-related, the cumulative effect is a constant working in the Marketing & Communications department pressure on the worldwide Church. at University of Detroit Mercy, helping spread the good That is what was on the minds of the members of the news about Jesuit (and Mercy) education. National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education when they I am a product of public schools and two state univer - met at University of Detroit Mercy in April of last year to sities and, though raised Catholic, I had only a passing plan this edition of Conversations . The horror of the sexual knowledge of what a Jesuit is and even less about what Je - abuse scandal and its coverup was once again in the news; suit education is. What I learned about Jesuit education Jesuit universities were facing tough financial decisions that came over time at dinner tables and picnics with my wife’s put their missions at stake, and the rise of nationalism here large immediate and extended family, nearly all of whom and around the globe were seen not as separate issues, but are Jesuit educated. I listened to the way they discussed is - as many parts of one. In Jesuit fashion, the discussion sues, analyzed books and movies and art, laughed, wel - quickly changed from a litany of woes to a call for reflection comed others, and found and explored connections others and action. What can the nation’s Jesuit colleges and uni - may have missed. While this makes for freewheeling—and versities do to address the crises? sometimes tense—discussions, at the center of it all is a This edition looks at ways Jesuit institutions can lead strong and unwavering faith discussed in a matter-of-fact the discussion on how to address the sex abuse crisis, how way that can still surprise and move me. It’s what inspired they can shepherd their institutions through harsh financial me to look into a position at Detroit Mercy where I have realities yet remain true to their missions (and about what found a welcoming home. It is a place of deep commitment happens when they don’t), and how the worldwide net - to the Jesuit mission and one that has deepened my own work of Jesuit institutions can work together to create faith and commitment to the Jesuit values I first saw global citizens who work for the common good. demonstrated over meals almost 30 years ago. These are challenges, no doubt, and they are not the I am thrilled my three college-aged children are at Jesuit only ones facing the Church. Jesuit institutions are in a institutions because I see what they can become, and I can’t strong position because of our clarity on a vigorous, healthy wait to see what, as Jesuit-educated global citizens, they mission, and it is one we should take full advantage of to will bring to the world. And I thank the National Seminar effect change. It’s what we expect of our graduates, and we for choosing me to help, in my own small way, shape the should expect it from our institutions as well. conversation on Jesuit higher education. ttt Ron Bernas, editor The National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education For more information about the National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Education, its goals, and its members please visit our website at: http://www.conversationsmagazine.org/national-seminar/ COMING UP Issue # 58 (Fall 2020) For more information on how to contribute to Conversations please see our website at: Exploring the four Universal http://www.conversationsmagazine.org/for-contributors/ Jesuit Preferences 1 Remembering Seminar Chair Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J. The National Seminar on Jesuit Higher Ed - ucation especially mourns the loss of Fr. Patrick (Pat) Howell, S.J., who died peace - fully from cancer on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2019. He was 79. Fr. Howell had served as chair and gen - eral editor of the Seminar and this magazine since 2000 and during his leadership, count - less women and men have continued to be formed to be leaders in mission across the AJCU network. Born in 1940 in North Dakota, Fr. How - ell recalled the move from his hometown of Lisbon to Gonzaga University in 1958 by train as the most significant turn in his life. His time at Gonzaga set him on his lifetime trajectory. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1961 in the midst of major change in the church and society. Francis’ profoundly influential 2013 interview with An - “Pat was above all a Jesuit of the Second Vatican tonio Spadaro, S.J. Available to be missioned by the Council and was profoundly inspired by two great provincial when asked, Fr. Howell was interim execu - leaders of our times — Fr. Pedro Arrupe and Arch - tive director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in bishop Raymond Hunthausen of Seattle,” said his Jesuit Orange, Calif. He had also been the associate director classmate Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., who is current and interim director of the Seattle University Institute president of Seattle University. “He served the Society for Catholic Thought and Culture. This academic year, and its partners in everything he did and in a special a testament to his commitment to the Jesuit mission, he way by his impact on the document ‘The Role of perceived a need and was missioned to Gonzaga Uni - Women in Church and Society’ of General Congrega - versity to work in Jesuit Catholic identity formation. tion 34, which was likely the highlight of his Jesuit life.” At the age of 35, Fr.