Academic Freedom and Religious Freedom at Stake

Many of you may be following the story of the firing of University of Illinois-UC adjunct associate professor Dr. Ken Howell for expressing Catholic beliefs in a class he teaches on Catholicism. There is a facebook page, Save Dr. Ken where other faculty, alumni, students, and interested people can offer support and learn more about what is happening. I highly recommend a great article by Daniel Klimek discussing this case, and specifically addressing the differences between natural and moral law and Catholic teaching on sexuality. It is a long but really informative article. Here is a quote:

Rightfully so, administrators at the university have decided to review the case, understanding that a proper dismissal would not result in such a powerful public outcry. There are, in essence, a couple of serious matters that the university's administrators must consider. If Professor Howell was fired for teaching provocative ideas, then a grave academic freedom violation has been perpetrated by the University of Illinois. If Professor Howell was fired for personally agreeing with the Catholic Church on the issue of homosexual relations, then a great violation of religious liberty has been perpetrated by the university. Yet, as has been shown, there isn’t anything provocative that Professor Howell was teaching, simply the standard philosophical ideas on sexuality that have been taught by prominent Catholic philosophers, ethicists, and popes throughout the years. And there isn’t anything improper in agreeing with the Catholic Church, particularly when you allow your students the right to disagree (as Professor Howell did), and particularly when you’re a Catholic scholar hired to teach a course on Catholic thought.

Go to ministryvalues.com to read the article. Speaking as a former college professor and spouse to one, this is really outrageous. This is just another sign showing how academic freedom and religious freedom are being trampled all over the world. Unfortunately, this is not an unusual occurrence anymore. I am filled with hope at the response of support for Dr. Howell. Please pray for him, for all universities, and for the student who felt attacked by Dr. Howell. And let us all stand strong in our faith and be not afraid to express the beauty, strength, and truth of our Catholic faith, even in the face of grave opposition. There is a reason that all this is occurring. God has given us all an opportunity to speak truth and love to our world through this injustice. Every opportunity He gives us, whether it be to speak truth about the sanctity of life, the dignity of each human person, or the sacredness of our freedom is a blessing that can bring hope to a world in great need of His Love.