The Catholic University and its Catholic Identity

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to review the Catholic identity of the Catholic university. Today, Catholic universities should have their goals, not only to pursue their educational effectiveness, excellence in research, and efficiency of management like other colleges and universities do, but also to reserve and develop their ‘Catholic’ identity. In 1990, Pope John Paul II published his canonical Constitution, ｢Ex Corde Ecclesiae (‘from the heart of the Church’). In the constitution, the Pope clarified the identity of Catholic universities in the world, and it also explained the nature, characteristic, and mission of the Catholic university, in the form of the Cannon Law. A Catholic university by the nature has its two characteristics: (1) the ‘common’ characteristic which is search for truths, transition and application of truths that are the same goals as those of non-Catholic universities, (2) the ‘ecclesiastical’ one which implement university’s basic functions of education, research, and service according to light of faith and the Church’s teachings. These essential nature of the Catholic universities take into account their four characteristics which are different from other universities. (1) Christian inspiration in individuals and the university community, (2) Reflection and research on human knowledge in the light of the Catholic faith, (3) Fidelity to the Christian message in conformity with the magisterium of the Church, and (4) Institutional commitment to the service of others. Those nature and characteristics of a Catholic university should be linked to its four missions for the good of the Church and our societies. That is, commitment to the Church and society, pastoral service, dialogue with other cultures, and evangelization.