“I think you’re confusing “Catholic University” with “Seminary.””
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No. I’m not. A Seminary exists to train individuals for the religious life. A far cry from regularly practicing the basic sacraments of the Catholic faith.
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“A Catholic University doesn’t exist merely to indoctrinate students to Catholicism. They aren’t simply Christian versions of radical Islam’s madrassahs.”
In what way is FREELY CHOSSING to attend a University that believes in the essential practicing the sacraments of the Catholic faith an indoctrination. ANd how does it approach the level of radical Islam?
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From your quoted mission statement:
“The University encourages a way of living consonant with a Christian community and manifest in prayer, liturgy and service.”
I don’t see how the University in any way shape or form is actively promoting the ideas in this statement, in the entire student body.
So, yes, we have Catholicism if you want to come look for it?
I don’t see how the University in any way shape or form is actively promoting the ideas in this statement, in the entire student body.
Prayer, liturgy, and service.
What, exactly, should they do? Mandate attendance at mass and mandate regular prayer? For all students? Will non-Catholics be permitted at this university? If so, will they be required to attend mass as well?
Notre Dame is a world-class University that actually honors and encourages (rather than ridiculing) the practice of one's religious faith. That is very rare among universities that anyone has ever heard of. Are there smaller colleges that are more doctrinaire? Certainly. But Notre Dame is almost unique as a highly ranked University that is welcoming to people of faith.
As for service, it is astonishing to me how much emphasis Notre Dame (and many other colleges) place on community service these days.