I don’t know anything about Providence
College in Rhode Island, but this
article by their president Rev. Brian J. Shanley
is pretty excellent.
He reflects on one Pope Benedict said on a Catholic education and its ends
and I certainly agree with what Rev. Shanley writes on the subject.
12 comments
I know a Dominican or two working at Providence, and, from what I understand, the school is heading in the right direction. I hear really good things about Fr. Shanley.
All I know about Providence is that Anthony Esolen of Touchstone Mag teaches English/literature there. That alone is enough to say it must not be all bad.
I am a student at Providence College and while there are still a few questionable professors, the vast majority (I would say at least 95%+) are excellent. The theology department is very orthodox. One of the professors at PC told me last year that he is considered liberal by PC standards, but when he lectured at another college the profs there told him that he was too conservative for them. In my opinion, he is a very balanced theologian.
There are two Eastern Orthodox theology professors at Providence College. One is none less than David Bentley Hart!
On another note, a professor (a Dominican priest) said today that dioceses need to not be afraid of their Catholicity and embrace the traditions of the past which were discarded during Vatican II. He said the conservative dioceses are flourishing and every bishop needs to take notice.
I am very happy with my courses and professors at P.C. Fr. Shanley is exactly what the school needed when it needed it.
I had no idea Fr. Shanley was president of PC. That’s great news. He was a philosophy professor at the Catholic University of America when I was there from 1996-99, and was a solid Thomist.
When is PC not PC? When it is challenged and guided by a president like Fr Shanley!
“In a time where there is widespread doubt about objective truth, a Catholic college such as Providence College (whose motto is veritas, or truth) is seen as countercultural, based on the optimistic proposition that the human mind has been created by God to know the ultimate truth.”
I knew PC was being guided in the right direction when Fr Shanley banned Eve Ensler’s play and held compassionate, uplifting, prayerful events in its stead. He is a gift to Providence! And sooo…Dominican, too. 🙂
Thank you for finding this link. I’m a Providence College alum and although Fr. Shanley was not President during my time, I am proud to say that his article is par for the course.
The Dominicans were always faithful to the teachings of the Church. What was even more impressive was the confidence with which they engaged students in respectful dialogue while searching for truth, and how that search always confirmed Catholic teaching. The results were not judgmental, but inspiring.
My experience with the Dominicans strengthened my faith while I earned a top-notch education. I will always cherish my time there.
Now if Fr. Shanley can find a way to improve our basketball team, all the better.
“Truth cannot contradict himself.”
I doubt many secular universities would be willing to endorse such a statement.
Correction:
“Truth cannot contradict itself.”
I doubt many secular universities would be willing to endorse such a statement.
P,
You got it right the first time. Jesus being the truth cannot contradict himself either.
P,
I think your “error” was divine. 🙂
Fr. Shanley is great. My husband and I both had him at CUA. Very solid. I think he’s turning out to be a courageous president. Good for PC!
PC is on my short list for colleges. We’re going to start actively looking next year.