Dallas Resignations Prompt Change in Theology Program

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS, June 2 — A story Register readers first heard about in May has gotten attention in the secular media. Although Dallas Bishop Charles V. Grahmann told the paper that the resignation of three theology professors from a renowned graduate program at the University of Dallas was “a blessing,” many observers worry about the program's shift in emphasis, the Dallas daily reported.

The professors resigned from the university's Institute for Religious and Pastoral Studies in what some insiders call a dispute over the role of theological orthodoxy in pastoral training.

Critics of the program charged that it had strayed from its practical purpose of training people for lay ministry, while its supporters urged that knowing and understanding Catholic doctrine was the essential foundation of ministry and therefore an appropriate focus for the program.

University president Msgr. Milam Joseph denied that the dispute was theological, but said he was eager to set a new direction for the institute. The three theologians will start a similar program at Ave Maria College in Michigan.

Washington Girl Can Wear Pro-Life Shirt, For Now

TRI-CITY HERALD, June 3 — Andrea Lawyer's pro-life T-shirt may spark a change in her high school's dress code, the Washington state daily reported.

The Prosser, Wash., freshman was asked to turn inside-out a Rock for Life shirt reading, “Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will hear my cry and stop killing my generation.”

Later, school officials decided she could wear the shirt, but they are considering changing the dress code over the summer to prohibit political messages. Lawyer said she would obey any change in the rules.

Chicago Catholic Schools Ace National Tests

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, June 7 — Most students at Catholic elementary schools again scored well above the national averages in reading, language and math, the Chicago daily reported.

Over 28,000 Catholic elementary school students took the TerraNova standardized test. Catholic school third-graders scored in the 68th percentile (50th is average), fifth-graders in the 70th percentile and seventh-graders in the 75th percentile.

Popular Professor Tapped By Ratzinger's Congregation

VATICAN NEWS SERVICE, June 12 — John Paul II today appointed Canadian Bishop Marc Ouellet, 64, consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Formerly a professor at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, he was consecrated a bishop by the Pope March 19. Bishop Ouellet was initially made secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. He is also vice president of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Judaism.

He was profiled on the Books & Education Page of the April 1-7 Register.