Ben Newell, The Examiner
2008-04-18 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

On the last evening of his D.C. visit, Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholic universities to emphasize adherence to church teachings and denounced institutions that seek high enrollment numbers over fidelity to the faith.

Catholic educators across the nation tuned into Pope Benedict XVI’s speech at the Catholic University of America in D.C. on Thursday evening.

“I wish to reaffirm the great value of academic freedom,” Benedict told hundreds of educators. But he said that principle did not justify teachings and viewpoints that directly contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Benedict made direct recommendations to educators, saying they had a responsibility to “Evoke among the young a desire for active faith.”

The nation’s more than 200 Catholic colleges and universities have been at the center of a tug-of-war within the church for decades over religious identity and free expression.

Following his speech to educators, Benedict met with representatives of other religions in an interfaith ceremony.