Religion: Rome Sends a Strong Message

• Share

(2 of 2)

Curran has defended his dissent on the ground that he is not contravening any infallible dogma, meaning one that is divinely protected from error. Such a teaching -- the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven, for example -- differs from what is called the ordinary magisterium, or an authoritative teaching of the church that does not have the certainty of absolute truth. But in his letter to Curran, Cardinal Ratzinger pointed out that the Second Vatican Council held that any doctrine taught by the Pope and the bishops together in a definitive manner is also to be considered infallible. "The church does not build its life upon its infallible magisterium alone," Ratzinger wrote, "but on the teaching of its authentic, ordinary magisterium as well." Curran claimed that the Vatican was trying to "fudge" the distinction between the two kinds of doctrines and stifle dissent. Asked how much ground is left for disagreement in sexual morality after this decision, a senior Vatican official replied, "Very, very little."

Some U.S. bishops had backed a compromise proposal Curran made to Rome -- namely, that he keep his position but not teach sexual-ethics courses. In fact, he has not offered a class exclusively in sexual morality for 15 years, although he has been a C.U. professor since 1965. Nonetheless, hierarchical support for the disciplinary action was as predictable as the crackdown itself. The Most Rev. Matthew Clark of Rochester, Curran's home diocese, accepted the decision as the "final word" but said Curran "always will be welcome" as a priest in Rochester. Later, a Vatican official said Clark had ! been "excessively tolerant."

The case may have more serious implications for Catholic higher education than the removal of one professor. Church law requires that anyone teaching theology at a Catholic university -- even one not chartered by the Vatican, as C.U. is -- must have an explicit commission from a bishop, called a "canonical mandate." Some legal experts argue that this requirement represents a potential infringement on academic freedom, and if challenged in court, could jeopardize publicly provided funding for Catholic institutions.

Meanwhile, Curran has promised to remain a "loyal and committed Catholic," asking his supporters to stay with him inside the church to continue pressing for the right of intellectual dissent. Perhaps anticipating future battles, he declared, "There's got to be room in the church for disagreement on specific issues . . . My church is a big church, and my God is a big God, yes she is."