Two diocesan educators attend meeting with pope

Renee Webb, Globe editor
April 24, 2008

Catholic educators received affirmation and a little homework for themselves when Pope Benedict XVI took time out of his jam-packed visit to speak with them on April 17.

Two diocesan educators - Kevin Vickery and Bev Wharton - were among the 400-plus to attend the pope's address to Catholic educators at The Catholic University of America in Washington. Those in attendance were Catholic university and college presidents, as well as diocesan superintendents of Catholic education.

"We were called to hear what the Holy Father has to say about the role of education in the formation of young Catholics in our country," said Vickery, diocesan superintendent of Catholic education.

He said the pope stressed the fact that to be academic is not enough. They were called to be hope for the nation by giving students the opportunity to attend educational institutions that by nature are encounters with Christ.

"The pope recognizes the gifts that have been shared. He talked about all those who over the years have established our Catholic institutions and then empowered us to carry that hope into the future," said Vickery. "It was clearly a message of the future and the importance of maintaining truly Catholic identities in our schools."

Like a student in a classroom, Wharton pointed out that throughout the address she made notes.

"The key thing that came through for me loud and clear was the pope told us that education is central to the mission of the church and that our colleges, universities and schools are places to encounter the living God," said Wharton, president of Briar Cliff University in Sioux City.

She pointed out that the pope recognized that in the United States, the Catholic Church here has made education one of its priorities. The pontiff also said that society had had expectations for Catholic educators.

"He indicated that we must work so that the long-term sustainability will be assured," said Wharton.

The pope, she said, thanked the educators for their generosity as they served the country and the church.

"One of the most profound things that he called us to do was encourage us as educators to practice intellectual charity. He then went on to explain it as upholding the essential unity of knowledge - making certain it doesn't get fragmented from faith," said Vickery. Knowledge should encompass both academics and faith.

The Catholic educational institutions, he said, help youth develop a solid foundation upon which they will go out into the world.

"We came as representatives of the faculties and teachers who work in our schools and the colleges and universities," said Vickery. "He recognizes that without foundations in faith, our young people are susceptible to consumerism and the other ills of society. We are a piece of that hope for the future."

In the Diocese of Sioux City, he envisions not only relaying Benedict XVI's message of hope from this address but expanding on it with the help of the pope's encyclical on hope, Spe Salvi. These components will help formulate a vision for the future.

With a seat in the tenth row, Vickery was close enough to the pope to see the emotion on his face as he delivered this message of hope.

"We were able to see in an up-close and personal way, the genuine caring that the Holy Father has for his church," said Vickery.

He also found value in speaking with other educators in the three-hour wait for the address. The diocesan educator was also able to speak with Cardinal Daniel DiNardo at the gathering.

Wharton found the meeting and the atmosphere at the gathering to be one of excitement.

"When it was all over, it was interesting to see my colleagues," she said. "We looked at each other with smiles on our faces. It was very uplifting and a very moving moment. It was such a great honor to be in the pope's presence for this message."

The educators said they were moved with the closing words of the pope. The pope said, "With these sentiments of communion of oneness, I impart on you and your colleagues, your students and your families, my apostolic blessing."

"When you hear those words, it is so powerful because it is so personal," said Vickery.