Religion: Sweetness And Not a Lot of Light

A papal decree on higher education avoids conflict -- for now

Since the 1987 Vatican-inspired ouster of the Rev. Charles Curran from the theology faculty at Washington's Catholic University of America, educators have nervously waited for the first papal decree setting overall policy in higher education. Would John Paul II, who is determined to restrict dissident theologians, lay the ground for further purges? When the decree was finally issued last week, most academicians greeted it with relief. It seemed to be an endorsement of free intellectual investigation and the autonomy of academic institutions. But while the Pope had decided against a strategy of direct confrontation, there were passages in the decree that,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!