Online Petition

Petition to the Board of Trustees of the University of St. Thomas

Initiated on the 19th of October 2009

Dear Board Members:

The preface to the University of St. Thomas Mission Statement says: “Founded in 1885, the University of St. Thomas is a Catholic, diocesan university…” 

Preserving the Catholic identity and mission of the University of St. Thomas is one of the obligations which Catholics of this Archdiocese have entrusted to the Board of Trustees.  We, the undersigned, believe that the Bylaw changes that occurred in 2007 are likely to promote the increasing secularization of the University.  This will deprive Catholics of this Archdiocese of an educational asset and resource that is theirs, and for which their ancestors sacrificed much.

In order to assure that Catholic Universities retain their identity and mission, the late Pope John Paul II established norms, such as the following, which regulate their governance: “Each Bishop has a responsibility to promote the welfare of the Catholic Universities in his diocese and has the right and duty to watch over the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic character. If problems should arise concerning this Catholic character, the local Bishop is to take the initiatives necessary to resolve the matter, working with the competent University authorities in accordance with established procedures…”    (Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Article 5, § 2.) 

Before the Bylaw changes of 2007, the “established procedure” was that the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis automatically became, by virtue of his high office, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with the authority to appoint the President of the University.  This enabled the Archbishop--- the foremost leader of all Catholics in this Archdiocese--- to fulfill his “responsibilities and duties,” and provided the greatest assurance that the University would remain Catholic. 

Therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the Board to restore the Bylaws, so that the Archbishop can exercise that leadership effectively to ensure the Catholic character of the University.

Note: Husband and wife should use different email addresses if each wants to sign.

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