Cardinal Clarifies

THE BOSTON GLOBE, March 4 — A Globe story on a talk by Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick at Boston College wrongly suggested that the cardinal agreed with the U.S.  bishops’ policy that dissenting Catholic politicians should not be accorded honorary degrees and other awards — but the politicians still might be welcome to express opinions at variance with Church teachings.

Archdiocese of Washington spokeswoman Susan Gibbs explained to the Register that Cardinal McCarrick opposes any campus appearances that highlight opposition to Church teaching, but believes the policy is not violated when a dissenting Catholic politician speaks on matters that are not theologically controversial.

The cardinal heads a special task force on implementation of the bishops’ policy.

A Templeton for Townes

NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO, March 9 — Charles Hard Townes, a physicist who has been active in promoting the dialogue between science and religion, is the winner of this year’s Templeton Prize “for progress toward research or discoveries about spiritual realities.”

Townes is known for work leading to development of the laser, discoveries for which he and two other scientists shared the Nobel Prize in 1964.

At a press conference, Townes, a Baptist, said he agreed with the concept of an “intelligent design” of the universe and that he considered evolution “identical with intelligent design.”

Grading Gonzaga

THE CARDINAL NEWMAN SOCIETY, March 10 — The society, which presses for fidelity to Church teaching by Catholic colleges, is giving a mixed review to Gonzaga University and its president, Jesuit Father Robert Spitzer.

The society categorized as false its previous assertion that the university’s law school had rejected a student organization because of its pro-life position or Christian outlook.

The society also affirmed that “there can be no question about Father Spitzer’s commitment to the pro-life cause,” and said the university’s religious identity has strengthened under his leadership.

Founded in 1887, Gonzaga University bases its educational philosophy on the 450-year Ignatian model that aims to educate the whole person — mind, body and spirit — an integration of science and art, faith and reason, action and contemplation. It has an enrollment of about 5,400 students in 92 undergraduate and 21 graduate programs.

Goddess Guru Canceled

CATHOLICNEWS.COM, March 10 — An appearance by feminist theologian Carol Christ at Australia’s Santa Sabina College to discuss “goddess worship and pagan spiritualities” was canceled following an objection by Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Julian Porteous, the rector of Good Shepherd Seminary.

Bishop Porteous announced that the talk would be inappropriate “in a Catholic venue,” as it offers “an alterative to the basic tenets of the Christian faith.”

His decision was accepted by the Dominican Sisters who staff the college.

Second Career

XAVIER UNIVERSITY, March 11 — Xavier University in Cincinnati will introduce a new master’s program next fall for those with undergraduate degrees in fields other than nursing.

The program will focus on the emerging position known as clinical nurse leader, who “will be able to assess a patient’s needs by looking at the whole picture,” said Xavier’s Susan Schmidt.

Students will take courses in such topics as general nursing, illness management, pharmacology and health assessment.