Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, May 16,
2010
Letter to the Editor
Listecki out of line
Archbishop Jerome Listecki violated Marquette University's academic autonomy when he "raised alarm over MU hiring" (Page 1A, May 12).
Marquette is chartered by the State of Wisconsin to provide not indoctrination but education with unfettered academic freedom and integrity. The archbishop has no more right to intrude on our hiring practices than does any major donor to the university.
Marquette University is not Catholic as a Catholic parish is Catholic.
The Marquette academic community includes Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, atheists, agnostics and others.
In places such as Paris, Catholics in the 13th century pioneered the idea of a modern university where, as Cardinal Newman said, many minds could "compete freely together." Its statutes approved by Pope Innocent III declared the university independent from "bishops, king, and parliament."
Archbishop Listecki needs instruction on the nature of a university. He has enough to do with the current church problems without meddling in university decisions that are beyond his competency or responsibility.
Daniel C. Maguire
Professor, Marquette University
Milwaukee