Rector Takes On Regensburg Challenge

Rector Takes On Regensburg Challenge

Promotes Rationality of God in Catholic Universities

ROME, OCT. 11, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The very existence of Catholic universities shows that God cannot be irrational, said the rector of Regina Apostolorum university and the European University of Rome, on opening the academic year.

In the homily of the Eucharistic celebration on Monday, Legionary of Christ Father Paolo Scarafoni explained the task of Catholic Universities, taking up the challenge launched by Benedict XVI in his address at the University of Regensburg on Sept. 12.

Father Scarafoni considered appropriate first and foremost, as an institution, "to state our closeness and communion with the Holy Father."

"Goodness and charity go together with truth, and we cannot think of concealing for a long time what must be said, and pretend that something is true when it is not. We cannot call good what objectively goes against the most elemental human dignity and the truth of things," said Father Scarafoni.

For the rector, "it is important to unveil the falsehood of the concept of an irrational God, following which one can calmly justify instigation to the use of violence; and the falsehood of the concept of a science that has artificially excluded from its research and questions the most fundamental one on God and on the total truth, and on the meaning of life."

He continued: "Both the fanatic posture that does not listen to reason, as well as the partiality of reason that does not wish to be subjected and to respond to the total truth, end by falling into the use of physical force, precisely because they have no reasons, they do not have arguments to speak to men's spirit, they have no confidence in guiding to the recognition of truth, which liberates, which make one happy.

"They try to impose themselves by force, threats and seduction."

Father Scarafoni said that "one of the most important actions that must occupy the Church and Christians today, and all men of good will, is dedication to culture and formation, based on the roots that have given life to the best human values ever expressed by humanity."

I don't think the Legionaries or their schools were the target of the Holy Father's remarks. (Maybe it's just for the sake of publicity and soliciting donations, and even to repair the reputation of the order.) If there is a need for reform, it will be primarily with their curriculum or plan of study--a greater integration between philosophy and science, renewal of logic, and so on. (Though other parts may need to change as well.) And since the Legionaries are also associated with primary and secondary schools, they should be encouraged to reform those as well, instead of adopting the dominant educational model (whether it be American or European).