Christians Cleared

THE CHRONICLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, July 21 — The United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled in mid-July that Southern Illinois University at Carbondale may not withdraw recognition of a Christian campus group that denies membership to homosexuals.

The court held that the university must continue to recognize the Christian Legal Society while the society’s lawsuit against the university is pending.

Southern Illinois University withdrew recognition of the group in March because of the society’s requirement that members abide by Christian beliefs about sexuality, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported.

The society subsequently filed suit against the university.

Judge Diane Sykes wrote that the Christian Legal Society had shown there was a likelihood that the university had “impermissibly infringed” on the group’s “right of expressive association.”

Midsummer Moments

ARLINGTON CATHOLIC HERALD, Aug. 3 — Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, celebrated Mass at this year’s Summer Institute at Christendom College in Front Royal, Va. The July 28-29 session focused on the writings of Pope Benedict XVI.

In his homily, Cardinal Arinze stressed fidelity. “When God speaks, we are not expected to argue,” he said. “We are expected to listen, to believe and to adore.”

The cardinal also bestowed an apostolic blessing from Pope Benedict XVI on the participants of the Summer Institute.

Other speakers included Father Benedict Groeschel, Pia de Solenni, Helen Hull Hitchcock and Christendom president Timothy O’Donnell, who discussed Benedict’s first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love).

“From the beginning, Benedict wants us to gaze and contemplate the pierced and wounded side of Christ,” O’Donnell said. “He wants us to love God. God is not being loved sufficiently.”

Bequeathed in Boston

THE BOSTON GLOBE, July 21 — Boston College continues to wrestle with the question of what to do with the former official residence of the archbishop of Boston.

The university, which purchased the 40-room mansion as part of a $107 million purchase of archdiocesan properties in 2004, recently sent an e-mail survey to alumni suggesting “the development of a new private club” for alumni in the building, the Globe reported.

College spokesman John Dunn said a final decision has not been made on the alumni club proposal.

Said Dunn, “We’re always cognizant of its historical significance, but when we purchased it, it was with the understanding that we’d use it in a way that best met the college’s needs.”

Providence Drops SATs

THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, July 26 — Providence College is going “test-optional.”

The Dominican school in Rhode Island will no longer require applicants to take the Scholastic Assessment Test or another standardized college entrance exam, the ACT, as part of its admissions process.

Those applying for admission in September 2007 without test scores “will receive full consideration, without penalty, for admission,” according to a university statement.

Said Father Brian Shanley, Providence College’s president: “From a moral point of view, the idea that if you have the economic resources to take a test prep course and it gives you a competitive advantage over students who can’t take the test — there is something wrong about that.”