Dr Philip Esler (Principal) and Bishop Richard Moth (Chair of Governors)
News has emerged that Professor Eamon Duffy has resigned as an honorary fellow of St Mary's University College, Twickenham, as has Dr Robin Gibbons, a long-serving theology lecturer. Professor Gavin D'Costa has withdrawn as a keynote speaker at a theological conference planned by SMUC. All three cited the proposed merger of the School of Theology, Philosophy and History, and the School of Communication, Culture and Creative Arts, into a school of Arts and Humanities, as the reason for their action.
Professor Duffy spoke of the recent incident in which Dr Towey was escorted from the building by security as showing that things had gone badly amiss with the Christian and Catholic ethos of St Mary’s. At an academic board meeting recently, a motion of no confidence in the Principal was proposed - but ruled out of order by the Principal.
Last night, the Governors of the College met for four hours, and today a statement has been issued by Bishop Richard Moth who is the Chair of Governors. It is published on the College website but I include it in full here in the interests of fairness:
At a meeting of St Mary's University College Governors last evening it was decided to go ahead with the establishment of a Centre for the Study of Catholic Theology and to implement the merger of the Schools of Communication, Culture and Creative Arts and Theology, Philosophy and History into a new School of Arts and Humanities.Yesterday, ICN published the email sent by Dr Anthony Towey on 31 August, which allegedly resulted in his suspension for what was described in the statement issued on Tuesday as "a very serious disciplinary matter and a grave breach of his professional duties at the University College", in his being escorted from the College premises by security personnel across the Campus Piazza in front of students, and then being escorted home so that his Blackberry could be confiscated. Again, in the interest of fairness, I publish the text of the email here:
The Governors expressed regret over the actions of certain individuals, both those associated with this institution and those whose identity remains unknown, who have been maintaining a campaign of misinformation leading to a distorted picture of recent events.
St Mary’s continues to be committed to providing research-based high quality teaching in theology and religious studies. This is reflected in buoyant student recruitment in this area and across St Mary's. Our relationships with collaborative partners are very important to the life of St Mary’s and our long tradition of service to the Church will continue to be at the heart of all we do.
Our new Centre for the Study of Catholic Theology, which will be led by a Research Professor, will prove an exciting context for deep understanding of Catholic thought and its application in our world and will provide a focus for our treasured Catholic ethos across St Mary's.
St Mary’s is blessed to have a committed and highly effective staff. Our academic record speaks for itself and we are all proud of the unique environment we are able to offer to all our students in a truly stunning location.
The Governors have total confidence in the Senior Management Team who have worked diligently and in accordance with our constitution, due process and our Catholic ethos in what has been a difficult time as we continue to strive to gain our university title.
This is a time of great opportunity for St Mary’s and I am confident that the University College will continue to develop and move forward as a centre of excellence.
+Bishop Richard Moth
Chair of Governors
Dear TPH Student,
As some of you will have heard either through announcements on the SMUC portal, rumours or in the latest edition of the Tablet (out today), a sudden decision by the Principal in July, ratified in a private meeting by a sub-set of Governors, has authorized the closure of the School of Theology, Philosophy and History. The future proposed structure is for TPH programmes to run from within an amalgamated Arts and Humanities School with over 1700 students on roll.
Despite overwhelming and reasoned opposition to the proposal across some 60 academic and administrative staff (see documents attached) the Principal has decided to press ahead with his idea. Although the process by which this decision has both been taken and progressed runs clean contrary to normal St. Mary’s procedures, the direct result is that one of the Heads of Schools will no longer be in post from September 4th, (Tuesday of next week).
Indeed though clarification has also been sought from the Human Resources department as to what repercussions this might have for the many and varied obligations that Professor Pettitt and myself have over the forthcoming months (such as lecturing, programme direction, doctoral supervision etc.) no advice has been given. We are completely in the dark. And while the most direct impact is likely to be on Theology programmes, there remains residual uncertainty in relation to staffing in Philosophy.
As a result, and without wanting to raise needless alarm, I would ask your forbearance over the coming weeks should there be delays and confusion in regard to your dealings with St. Mary’s in general, and any obligations related to myself in particular. All TPH staff are keenly aware that students have not been consulted in this process – a matter that you might appropriately raise with your Student Union (supresident@smuc.ac.uk) or your Programme leader. Indeed since the Principal specifically invites comment in his graduation letter (see attached), it may be appropriate to raise any concerns with him or with Bishop Richard Moth, the Chair of Governors. As an inter-disciplinary team, no School has worked harder to create a sense of learning camaraderie where staff and students ‘know each other by name.’ It is a tremendous sadness that this sense of community is being dismantled.
Dr Towey was one of the most vocally Catholic members of staff at SMUC; many staff and students are in shock at what has happened, especially considering the manner of his removal (though I am told that he is not the first to be escorted off the premises by security.) The official statement speaks of misinformation and a distorted picture given by unnamed individuals but there is enough solid information from named individuals and strong concern expressed by such highly-respected individuals as Professor Duffy to indicate that simply trying to brazen it out is not sufficient.
11 comments:
'chair' of Governors?
oh dear.
In 1994, the late Fr Paul M Quay SJ (PhD in theoretical physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) published an essay, TOWARDS A CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM, in the Winter issue of ‘Faith & Reason’. He began thus:
“‘Faith in search of understanding!’ — the wealth of meaning packed into this Augustinian phrase needs an explicit supplementation in our days by its converse: ‘Understanding in search of faith!’ So Fr. Michael J. Buckley SJ, has well argued recently in more modern language. If Catholic universities are to escape the secularizing tendencies that currently threaten them, these schools must be understood in a Catholic manner. Not only does Catholic faith have an intrinsic need to seek all aspects of truth naturally attainable but all natural human inquiry and search for truth is dynamically oriented towards Catholic faith. Through this understanding of the ultimate unity of truth, co-naturally conjoined to the effort to make this unity explicit, Buckley shows that there is no valid theoretical basis for any trend to secularize Catholic universities.
Buckley’s argument, despite its cogency, will probably have little practical effect unless it can be elaborated in the context whence the drive towards secularization concretely has come.”
Fr Quay immediately identifies academic freedom as the “neuralgic issue” in the “drive towards secularization”. At Strawberry Hill it would seem to be the principal, Professor Philip Esler’s, ambitions to attain University status.
At least I hope so. That can at least be combated. Personal or academic jealousy would not be so easily overcome.
PS: I read Fr Quay’s article at: http://www.ewtn.com/library/ACADEMIC/FR94403.HTM
Fr Buckley’s article alluded to was ‘The Catholic University and Its Inherent Promise’, published in National Jesuit News (June 7, 1993)
I did a Google search to see what I could find out about Fr Buckley and came across an article by a Fr James Martin in the New York Times on the occasion of Pope Benedict's Mass in St Patrick's Cathedral, "Are You Weak Enough to Be Pope?". He writes of a "famous address given by Michael J. Buckley SJ, a distinguished Jesuit theologian, to young Jesuit seminarians preparing for ordination."
Since Fr Martin appears to be an admirer of the dread Fr Richard Rohr OFM he may be a bit suspect but the money quote was very impresive. It's a bit long though:
"I remembered a famous address given by Michael J. Buckley, S.J., a distinguished Jesuit theologian, to young Jesuit seminarians preparing for ordination. It has become something of a standard text for contemporary Jesuits. Essentially, Father Buckley noted that the priesthood — like any professional ministry in the church — requires a great deal of education and training. As a result, when we consider what is required for ministry and leadership in the church, we are all sometimes too focused on our strengths. We have to be well educated. Capable. Flexible. Confident. Strong.
Yet, as Father Buckley noted, a priest “must also be liable to suffering, weak because he must become like what he touches — the body of Christ.” So the question to ask oneself may not be, “Am I strong enough to be a priest?” But rather, “Am I weak enough?” That is, am I “weak” enough to recognize my own humanity and, therefore, my need to rely on God? Am I “weak” enough to know that I will not have all the answers? Am I “weak” enough to know that I am a human being like other human beings?
That’s where Peter comes in.
When you think about it, the choice of Peter to lead the apostles made little earthly sense. After all, the Gospels show that Peter had to be reminded constantly of the need for trust; tried to convince Jesus that he really didn’t need to suffer; and, worst of all, denied Jesus three times — just when his friend needed his support the most. Not a great résumé. Did this hotheaded fisherman have any of the qualities needed to lead the entire Christian community?
Jesus thought so. And sometimes I wonder if he knew that Peter might not have been strong enough, but weak enough to lead the church. Peter had failed Jesus utterly, and was subsequently forgiven by Jesus. Those two facts would forever remind him of his humanity, his essential “poverty of spirit,” or reliance or God."
I am sure there are two sides to this story. I do not know St Mary's University College, but other HE institutions have been merging departments like this, mostly driven by the need to cut costs. It is two years since the Theology Department at Cardiff University (for example) was combined with History and Archaeology, without the earth falling in. It is a difficult time for universities at the moment, with funding, especially for humanities, being cut. Provocative posturing by senior members of staff hardly helps.
Thanks for keeping us informed, Father.
For what it's worth, I've joined the fray from a slightly different angle: http://ccfather.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/whats-going-on-at-smuc.html
Dear Father Finigan
Bishop of the Forces Richard Moth was the Canon Lawyer who dealt with the annulment of my first marriage, before I was accepted into the Catholic Church at Our Lady of the Rosary, by your predecessor Father Tony Pyle.
I know from personal experience that Bishop Richard Moth's priestly intervention can bring peace into what was once a war zone, and I think he will need to utilise all his skills to settle this critical dispute at St Mary's University Twickenham where my son Michael Roy has just been appointed as a lecturer.
BLESSED TITUS BRANDSMA GUILD PRAYER
God our Father, source of life and freedom, through Your Holy Spirit, you gave the Carmelite, Titus Brandsma the courage to affirm human dignity even in the midst of suffering and degrading persecution. Grant us that same spirit so that, in refusing all compromise with error we may always and everywhere give coherent witness to Your abiding presence among us. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen http://guildofblessedtitus.blogspot.com
Fr Tim, just to clarify, was the paragraph;
One staff member said there is now "an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty" at St Mary's, and appealed for prayers. "This is particularly difficult for students who have just begun their first year with us.”
in the email to TPH students, or is it an additional comment?
Thanks.
How very impressive that the students chose to protest in quiet prayerfulness. We have so much to learn from our young people.
Julie - it is part of the email text as published by ICN.
Having just seen a copy of the email, I was wrong to include that last paragraph in the text. It was an editorial comment added by ICN.
Have corrected the post now.
PS thanks to all who also subsequently offered the same correction.
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