The welcoming of two prominent Catholic leaders as speakers is a positive step for the University toward its goal outlined in the seventh pillar of the Ten Pillars Vision of bringing Athens and Jerusalem together.
The lecture delivered by the Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, archbishop of the Denver Archdiocese, on March 1 was a joint effort with the University of St. Thomas, marking the biggest partnership between Houston’s two major Christian universities. This partnership will hopefully continue in the future.
The Chaput lecture, as well as the March 10 Convocation featuring Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, shows that the University recognizes the need to look beyond divisions between Catholicism and Protestantism and realize that despite any theological or practical differences, both denominations worship God and believe in the same savior, Jesus Christ.
Chaput spoke on the necessity of all those who follow Christ to take a stand together on both civic and political matters. His presence at the University exemplifies this notion. Chaput also rightly urged believers to unite not just in words and pleasantries but also in heart and mind.
The privatization of Christian faith — that is, the emphasis of the individual at the expense of the community — is a microcosm of the division within the church that has existed for centuries. Chaput’s lecture is not a call for the end of the Reformation of the church, but rather the beginning of a reformation in the hearts of believers.
The wisdom shown by the leadership of both schools in bringing Chaput to speak at the University is a blessing. The role of faith in government, which has been scrutinized and misinterpreted for decades, has been made a little clearer. The administrations of HBU and St. Thomas, as well as Chaput and DiNardo should be commended for their openness to dialogue and fellowship, and their desire to encourage unity among God’s people.
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