‘Faculty Column’ Archives
Mr. Notebaert, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the future of Notre Dame
Richard C. Notebaert was elected to a three-year term as chair of the University of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees in 2007. He was elected to a further three-year term in 2010. First elected to the Board in 1997, Notebaert subsequently served as chair of its University Relations and Public Affairs and Communications Committee prior to succeeding Cleveland lawyer Patrick F. McCartan as chair [...]
Modern morals: Solomon discusses ethical implications of sperm donation
Earlier this fall, the NEW YORK TIMES ran a story highlighting some unforeseen consequences of the increased use of donated sperm to conceive a child in the United States. To investigate further the ethical issues associated with sperm donation, THE ROVER interviewed David Solomon, Notre Dame philosophy professor and the director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, who has conducted [...]
Abortion: Is the German model a way forward?
Americans upset with the U.S. Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence –ROE V. WADE in particular – would be well advised to pay attention to how Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court has resolved the controversy over abortion in a religiously divided and morally pluralistic society. In two major decisions handed down in 1975 and 1993 respectively, the German Court, departing from ROE [...]
ND sociologists explores the “dark side” of emerging adulthood
In the following exclusive interview with THE IRISH ROVER, distinguished Notre Dame sociologist Christian Smith discusses his most recent book, LOST IN TRANSLATION: THE DARK SIDE OF EMERGING ADULTHOOD (Oxford University Press, September 2011). What are a few of the top characteristics that you discovered about this age group, the emerging adulthood, in you research for this [...]
How do we reconcile God’s omnipresence with the existence and agency of the Devil and with the presence of sin and evil in general?
A perennial problem in human thinking is the question of good and evil. How can we reconcile the presence of God and the presence of evil forces that we experience in the world? In Christianity, Gottfried Leibniz (d. 1716) was especially famous for framing the question of theodicy, that is, how to justify God when we face the problem of evil. If God is infinitely good, all-powerful, [...]
Dean Woo reflects on formative experiences, decision to leave ND for Catholic Relief Services
Dean Carolyn Woo of the Mendoza College of Business recently announced her decision to leave Notre Dame and take up the position of CEO and President of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). During Dean Woo’s time at Mendoza, she has led the college to back to back number one rankings in BUSINESSWEEK’S list of the best undergraduate business schools. Dean Woo graciously agreed to sit down [...]
Saving Notre Dame’s soul: An interview with Fr. Bill Miscamble, CSC
The following interview with Notre Dame history professor Fr. Bill Miscamble, CSC, was conducted by Kathryn Jean Lopez and appeared on the National Catholic Register's website (ncregister.com). It is reprinted here with permission. Has Notre Dame moved beyond the scandal of Barack Obama being honored there? It certainly has not. Notre Dame’s honoring of a president who is deeply [...]
Rev. Marvin R. O’Connell: Sorin’s biographer AND master historian
Fr. Marvin O’Connell is best known among Notre Dame students and alumni as the acclaimed biographer of Fr. Edward Sorin, Notre Dame’s remarkable founder. Perhaps this is understandable, but Fr. O’Connell’s accomplishments extend far beyond his vivid portrait of Sorin’s life. He stands in the very front rank of distinguished historians who have taught and written at Notre [...]
The crisis in Wisconsin and the wisdom of Irish bishops
The recent crisis in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana over the rights of public unions will potentially lead to a major decision of the Supreme Court, but it has certainly inspired commentary in the Catholic press and at least among some intellectuals who take seriously the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. The crisis in Wisconsin is part of a larger national crisis that we are facing as the [...]
SOME ADVICE FOR CATHOLIC POLITICIANS OF THE FUTURE
his first encyclical letter DEUS CARITAS EST (God Is Love), Pope Benedict XVI reminded us, “Building a just social and civil order, wherein each person receives what is his or her due, is an essential task which every generation must take up anew.” This is essentially the work of lay women and men. My hope is that there are numbered among readers of THE ROVER able women and men who [...]
Rediscovering the Carrolls
I recently took special notice of one of the museum cases in Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart. This case stands under the main church and in the room behind the main altar of the Crypt of the Basilica. It contains a portrait of Archbishop John Carroll as well as his crozier and pectoral cross, artifacts recalling this first bishop appointed for the United States. In retrospect, I [...]
Lies and the Pro-life Movement
Christopher Tollefsen, PhD Professor of Philosophy, University of South Carolina Recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity from the pro-life movement, much of it indisputably good. Currently, two bills are before Congress; one would amend those parts of the recent health care overhaul that are threatening to the pro-life cause; the other would eliminate federal subsidies for Planned [...]
Making Walls: An Ode to the Office Cubicle (by R. Smith with apologies to R. Frost)
Something there is about an office that loves a wall, That wants it up full to the ceiling, Not halfway or 3/4, but all the way, Over which no errant conversations can pass. The work of worthless bureaucrats is another thing: I have seen them pile up cubicles one on top of another, In every manner, form and configuration, To satisfy their obsession to have their employees [...]
Liberal Education and the Research Ideal
As an advancing research university, Notre Dame faces a unique challenge: to pursue knowledge while remaining committed to the framework offered by the Catholic and other intellectual traditions. Our success in balancing these issues in the coming years will be determined by many decisions we are making at the present. Faculty at research universities pursue highly [...]
Drawing wisdom from St. Ignatius of Loyola on the Solemnity of Christ the King
Delivered in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on November 21, the following homily concluded the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture's 11th annual fall conference, Younger than Sin: Reviving Simplicity through the Virtues of Humility, Wonder & Joy. It is a joy to be with you at the conclusion of this annual conference of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and [...]