They're Still To Be Found

Finally, a capable spokesman steps forward to represent the perspective of faith. Recently, Boston College (a Jesuit university) put crucifixes in all 151 of its classroms which had up to that point been devoid of any religious imagery.

The process was described by some as gradual, but one faculty member deemed it a “tsunami” of religious art that appeared in classrooms over winter break. And while most discussions on this matter have been private, opinions seem to run the gamut.

In a statement provided through Dunn [the PR manager for the university], Rev. T. Frank Kennedy, chair of the committee on Christian Art, wrote: “I suppose a question might be posed to Boston College as to what purpose this Christian Art serves? In a world that is pretty successfully driven by media (imagery), ours is a response that seeks to pose the age-old invitation of Christ to enter into love--a love that is made perfect in its unselfishness. John Paul II spoke of the crucifix on September 15, 2002 saying ‘It is the sign of God, who has compassion on us, who accepts human weakness, who opens to us all, to one another, and therefore creates the relation of fraternity.’ The Pope also went on to say that though this symbol has been abused in history, it is the Christian’s duty to reclaim that symbol as an invitation to love. An invitation to love, and an invitation to faith is exactly that, an invitation. One is not required to respond, one can decline, and one can have many reasons for declining the invitation, but to imply that a Jesuit and Catholic university is not free to offer this invitation is simply an impossibility.”

I don't know about you, but I find that remarkably well said.

Read the whole article here:
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/02/11/bostoncollege
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