American International Journal of Social Science

The Dilemma of Catholic Higher Education: A Proposed Solution
Richard Gribble, CSC

Abstract
Catholic higher education in the United States faces a dilemma. Primarily beginning after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), most Catholic colleges and universities in this country began a slow but constant drift away from their Catholic identity which was presumed prior to the Council. Changes in administrative control of these institutions, movement away from theology to religious studies, and an attempt to compete more favorably academically with secular institutions, ideas which were genuinely adopted for the progress and advancement of these institutions, came with a significant cost, a diminution of Catholic identity. While this situation has been recognized, today most Catholic institutions of higher learning have been reticent to address the issue. Strong leadership from administrators and boards of trustees to recapture the “heart” of Catholic higher education is required. The solution to the dilemma is not complicated, but an urgency exists.

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