As usual, good post Howard. I'm surprised that with such a controversial issue, noone has commented yet...

Setting aside personal beliefs on pro-choice, stem-cell research and Hillary, I think it really boils down to wether his contract has anything in it about this type of behavior.. I wouldn't call it a morals clause, but I wouldn't be surprised if a school with religious affiliations put some restrictions on speaking in opposition to its beliefs or mission.

And remember, as much as it is Majerus right or duty to speak out, the Archbishop and Father Biondi would enjoy the same rights and priviliges in denouncing his statements...whats good for the goose....

(granted, I'm not aware of any such clauses in existance here, nor do I know if Father Biondi has, will, or would denounce the statements... I'm simply thinking out loud)

 Jimmy H -- 1/24/2008 10:41 PM  

Howard,

Congrats on the visiting post at SLU. I hope you are enjoying the great academic atmosphere that the Jesuits provide for both faculty and students.

By way of background that I did not disclose in my post on Tuesday (no love Jimmy H.???), I spent eight years in Jesuit schools (Loyola Academy followed by Boston College), thereafter, volunteering for a year in inner city Phoenix for the Jesuits (Jesuit Volunteer Corps Southwest). I regard these as the best years of my life, largely because of the academic freedom afforded to me along with the strong emphasis on social justice. While I do not know Coach Majerus personally, I am sure that by virtue of his "man for others" education and coaching experience at both Marquette and SLU, he felt comfortable to stand up for what he believes in.

This is not the first time that Archbishop Burke has stood up against members of his own faith who he believes should be publicly taken to task for a lack of adherence to the strict teachings of Rome (google Burke and Sheryl Crow, John Kerry, and St. Stansilaus Kostka). I would hope that non-Catholics do not take Burke's comments as representative of the Catholic Church, but when he speaks out like this I cringe that this may be the case.

At the end of the day, Coach Majerus standing up for what he believes in is one of the best examples he can give to his players.

 Tim Epstein -- 1/25/2008 12:45 AM  

Sorry Tim, of course I meant to include you as well since your post started the discussion... I'll have to chalk this one up to a long day at work, way too many phone calls from political groups trying to solicit votes, or just plain ignorance on my part :)...

 Jimmy H -- 1/25/2008 6:58 AM  

No problem, Jimmy. Thanks for your insightful comments. Greatly appreciated.

 Tim Epstein -- 1/25/2008 10:48 AM  

This post regards the hypocrisy of the Church, and specifically Burke; so, this is your heads up (to quell the pending psuedo-religious debate):

Burke has no right. No. Right. The Court found that SLU does not control the school so Burke should keep his Kerry-hating lid trapped. Yes, you have the right to spew your hate (as does anyone) but no right to influence it's President to fire the Fat Man.

The Catholic Church has an unrivaled history of murder, bigotry, hate, expulsions, crusades, massacres, forced conversion and pogroms -- many say which continue to this day. How quick we are to forget, Rev.

Anyone rememebr the Second Vatican? The Society of St. Pius X?

Hypocrites should shut the hell up.

 The Revered -- 1/25/2008 12:27 PM  

Tim and Howard,

I think we all agree that SLU could sanction Majerus if it wanted to (private institution), but probably won't because it would send a strong message of censorship to the faculty.

Would SLU have to have a clause in Majerus contract in order to sanction him, or could they use a "best interest of..." type argument to go along with Archbishop Burke's comment:

When you take a position in a Catholic university, you don't have to embrace everything the Catholic church teaches, but you can't make statements which call into question the identity and mission of the Catholic Church.

 Jimmy H -- 1/25/2008 12:51 PM  

What if he had made racist comments? Would you all be so insistent on tolerance?

I really am curious.

 Anonymous -- 1/25/2008 12:54 PM  

Anonymous:

If you have read anything I previously have written in this (or any other) space, you know that my answer would be "yes," I would be just as insistent on tolerance. I don't think he would get the same support from a university faculty, but that is another story.

I cannot speculate as to the details of Majerus's contract. But I doubt there is any clause in there specifically tied to his adherence to or support for the essential doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. First, again, it would be inconsistent with the school's broader mission as an academic institution. Second, and more broadly, it would mean the school never could hire a coach who is a practicing Jew. I imagine rejecting Jesus' divinity would be a statement "call[ing] into question the identity and mission of the Catholic Church."

 Howard Wasserman -- 1/25/2008 2:11 PM  

thanks

 çeçenistan -- 2/22/2009 9:10 AM  

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