Pope John Paul’s Visit to L.A.

With all due respect to Father James Loughran’s optimism about the Pope’s visit as “A Call to All With ‘Ears to Hear’ ” (Op-Ed Page, Sept. 13) and his four levels of challenge that he feels the Pope brought to his American visit, I see an irony in his contention that “we sometimes forget that the Pope is not an American, that he can reflect back to us a fresh appreciation for our strengths and weaknesses.” During the Pope’s visit to New Orleans and his meeting with officials of Catholic higher education--and Loughran is president of just such an institution--the Pope gave us an example of this “non-American” perspective in proclaiming that bishops should have a greater part in the academic affairs of Catholic universities and that such universities should not depart in any way from official Vatican teachings.

The historical, constitutional, and philosophical development of higher education in America is at issue, as well as the traditional model of academic freedom and research. If one subscribes to this “non-American” perspective of Catholic higher education as the Vatican and others apparently see it, then I’m afraid that (George Bernard) Shaw’s observation that “a Catholic university is a contradiction in terms” would be valid. I’m afraid that I see more to the Pope’s visit to America than does Father Loughran, president of Loyola Marymount University, and, as a member of Catholic higher education, this causes me great concern. I have “ears to hear,” Loughran would suggest, but I also have “eyes to see.” I’m not certain the Pope wants or cares to understand the American perspective.

PROF. ALFRED LIGHTFOOT

Loyola Marymount University