A majority of Catholic educators at a week-long conference voted to support principles of academic freedom, autonomy for governing boards, and independence from direct ecclesiastical authority. American college presidents were troubled by proposed norms that would allow for a bishop's intervention where dissentious theological teaching was…

"Ex Corde Ecclesiae," the Pope's document intended to define the relationship between the Catholic church and Catholic higher education institutions, has renewed debate on what makes a Catholic college Catholic. Over 200 colleges and universities in the United States are examining revised norms to be incorporated into the governance…

The Vatican's statement on Catholic universities outlines the objective of strengthening Catholic higher education worldwide and discusses the ecclesiastical and pastoral functions of the institutions, their role in society and in the church, Catholic university types, the environment and curriculum orientations, and planning and cooperation. (MSE)

The situation of U.S. Catholic colleges and universities is outlined, and the responses of 110 American Catholic college and university presidents to the Vatican's statement concerning the role and relationships of Catholic universities worldwide are synthesized. (MSE)