While Majerus may know his basketball, he does not appear to understand the First Amendment. The key phrase it contains is, “Congress shall make no law”, and courts have interpreted that to extend to the states and their political subdivisions. Neither Majerus’ employer,. SLU, nor the Catholic Church is in any way a governmental entity. Majerus is not in any way being threatened with incarceration or the prospect of being forced to pay money to the government.

His employer is completely free to restrict his behavior and/or terminate his employment if it disapproves of his actions and statements. Churches are free to restrict and/or deny membership, and to withhold services, as they see fit.

I weep for the future. I knew it was bad but I did not think it could be this bad. So many people who are Catholic but to not know, care, or believe what the Church teaches. What they do not also understand is that his Excellency is the Archbishop of St. Louis; that means not only does he have the right but it is essential for him to proclaim the teachings of the Church. One thing that you understand is that as Archbishop, he will have to answer to God for every soul under his care. He puts his own soul in jeopardy if he were not to speak out and proclaim the Gospel. To see how much he is persecuted says to me that we have never been blessed with such a holy man; secularized society does not recognize and hates holiness. I am praying that Archbishop Burke continues to do what he’s doing, and I will pray for all of you who are confused and do not understand.

The bottom line is that Majerus has foolishly and unnecessarily embarrassed his employer and his boss. As #80 points out, free speech does not necessarily mean there are no consequences to that speech. SLU may decide that taking any kind of public action isn’t the path they want to take, but I’m sure Biondi didn’t need this and surely doesn’t appreciate it. High maintenance employees are only worth the maintenance when they perform exceedingly well. Now it’s even more important that Majerus perform exceedingly well. If Majerus wants to run around expressing his views which are at odds with his employer, then maybe he would be happier working for one of the Democrat party presidential candidates. Oh yea - they won’t pay him $650K a year, or whatever he is enjoying.

Everyone should know that the archbishop is just doing his job. He has to stand up for Catholic Dogma and the Catholic mission. I think that many so called Catholics should leave the church and find one that is more more in line with their viewpoints. Fr. Biondi made it clear last year that St. Louis University is NOT a Catholic university by taking federal money and going to court. However, many people still perceive it as a Catholic institution and Majerus should be smart enough to understand this. If Archbishop Burke didn’t stand up for the church and the unborn, who will?
Mary E.

In reality, this is neither Rick Majerus’ nor Archbishop Burke’s problem. This is Rev. Biondi and St. Louis University’s problem. The function of a university is to provide a place for the free exchange of ideas. SLU does not require its students, faculty, or staff to espouse the Catholic faith. (Indeed, when SLU wanted to belly up to the public trough to get funding for its new basketball arena, it minimized its relationship to the church.) They can’t have it both ways. The issue is NOT even whether or not Majerus was speaking as a SLU coach or as a private citizen. (And it is apparent, from their initial statements, that this is the hypocritical hair that Biondi and SLU will try to split.) After all, in a university setting, where professors are not required to be Catholic, couldn’t a professor, IN HIS ROLE as a SLU employee, give opinions that run counter to Catholic doctrine, either in the classroom, or in public, say, at a professional conference? This issue is, then, about academic freedom, and whether SLU, Biondi, and SLU’s Board of Regents will have the cojones to stand up for their institution of higher learning, where the freedom to exchange ideas is paramount, or whether they’ll disgrace themselves and their mission by kowtowing to the ridiculous demands of a dogmatic religious leader who should have no say whatsoever in university matters. As I said, SLU can’t have it both ways. If they intend to be an institution higher learning and promote open inquiry and freedom of expression, then they need to ignore Burke and support not only Majerus, but also the right of ANY member of the SLU academic community–teacher, coach, student, staff member–to speak openly. If, on the other hand, SLU is going to insist that all of their employees pass some sort of Catholic litmus test and espouse only those views which the Church supports, then it needs to change its mission and focus its work solely on training priests and church leaders. And while they’re at it, they can give back the support–monetary and in-kind–that the city has provided to them.

In reality, this is neither Rick Majerus’ nor Archbishop Burke’s problem. This is Rev. Biondi and St. Louis University’s problem. The function of a university is to provide a place for the free exchange of ideas. SLU does not require its students, faculty, or staff to espouse the Catholic faith. (Indeed, when SLU wanted to belly up to the public trough to get funding for its new basketball arena, it minimized its relationship to the church.) They can’t have it both ways. The issue is NOT even whether or not Majerus was speaking as a SLU coach or as a private citizen. (And it is apparent, from their initial statements, that this is the hypocritical hair that Biondi and SLU will try to split.) After all, in a university setting, where professors are not required to be Catholic, couldn’t a professor, IN HIS ROLE as a SLU employee, give opinions that run counter to Catholic doctrine, either in the classroom, or in public, say, at a professional conference? This issue is, then, about academic freedom, and whether SLU, Biondi, and SLU’s Board of Regents will have the cojones to stand up for their institution of higher learning, where the freedom to exchange ideas is paramount, or whether they’ll disgrace themselves and their mission by kowtowing to the ridiculous demands of a dogmatic religious leader who should have no say whatsoever in university matters. As I said, SLU can’t have it both ways. If they intend to be an institution higher learning and promote open inquiry and freedom of expression, then they need to ignore Burke and support not only Majerus, but also the right of ANY member of the SLU academic community–teacher, coach, student, staff member–to speak openly. If, on the other hand, SLU is going to insist that all of their employees pass some sort of Catholic litmus test and espouse only those views which the Church supports, then it needs to change its mission and focus its work solely on training priests and church leaders. And while they’re at it, they can give back the support–monetary and in-kind–that the city has provided to them.

I think that the archbishop should deny communion to pro choice catholics and since the church does not approve of the death penalty he should also deny communion to those who support it. Or would that not be in line with his POLITICAL beliefs?

This is the United States of America. People have a right to speak their minds. Employees have a right to voice their own opinions, especially opinions that have nothing to do with their job or their employer.

Allegedly, our country was founded on the principle of freedom. Coach Majerus is expressing his opinion and exercising his freedom. He should no more be removed from his job as a coach of a basketball team, than the Archbishop should be removed for his anti-American and anti-Christian attitude towards those that disagree with him. Burke would be better served if he used his role as a teacher, not an ayatollah. Why not have private discussions with these people in instead of media grandstander? Is it because he can intimidate better as a grandstander?

Religious fundamentalism, no matter the faith, is more about totalitarianism than religion.

#88 The answer is in #61. Neither Majerus or Archbishop Burke sought out the reporter. He sought out them and manufactured this controversy.

Every Catholic in St. Louis should be required to read this thread. It’s very enlightening.

According to the SLU website, the number one characteristic of Jesuit higher education is “Dedication to human dignity from a Catholic, Jesuit faith perspective.”

Clearly that’s not the case at SLU. Comments from graduates posted here clearly show just how badly the university is failing in it’s mission. There is no “Catholic, Jesuit faith perspective.”

Characteristic number two of a Jesuit education? “Reverence for and an ongoing reflection on human experience.” This point references the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. The official name of the order is the Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius was loyal to Jesus, to His Church, and the Pope.

Consider the comments of Majerus, the inaction of Biondi, and ask yourself, “Is this a Catholic university, or not?”

Biondi is more than happy to take your money through special collections, Archdiocesan support, and fund raisers directed toward the Catholic community. They’re very willing to use our Catholic high schools as a feeder system for incoming students. The university president never appears at a fund raising event without his Roman collar. No, the school is very Catholic when it wants to get into our pockets.

But when it comes to adhering to the teachings of the Church, not so much.

Re-read post #66 where a graduate of the school refers to your Archbishop by his first name, misstates facts and compares your Archdiocese to 1930s Germany. In #69 this same graduate equates acceptance of the core teachings of the Church as ““Blind Obedience to a Self-Proclaimed Demi-god”.

In #78, T.R. makes the following statement, “I entered SLU a devote Catholic. I left, three degrees earned later, confident in my atheism.”

Catholic parents, when it’s time to help your kids select a school, keep these comments in mind. If you want your Catholic son or daughter to come back in four years a confident atheist, then I think you know where to send them. They don’t even have to leave town.

SLU alumni, if you survived four years at the school without losing your faith, consider what your alma mater has become. Do you really think they deserve your support? Or, do you think you should demand changes” It’s your call.

For the rest of us, when it comes time to make a contribution to a deserving institution, think about Majerus’ words and Biondi’s lack of response. Consider the testimony of Bill and T.R. Is this really where you want to send your money? Remember, there are other universities in the area that are actually Catholic; universities that haven’t denied their Catholic identity to get government money to build a gym; universities that don’t allow loud-mouth faculty members to get away with attacking the Church’s most basic beliefs just because they claim they can win basketball games. (How’s that workin’ out for ya. SLU did get national attention recently for breaking an NCAA record. Never mind that it was for the fewest points ever scored in a game. I guess there’s no such thing as bad publicity, right Rick?)

For all of us, I suggest we strongly urge the Archdiocese to withdraw all financial support from St. Louis U. We should demand that all special collections for the benefit of the school be stopped. We should also insist that the formation of our future priests be completely removed from the Lindell campus. Our seminarians shouldn’t be subjected to the mentality that seems to permeate this former Catholic institution.

The Archbishop should sever all ties with SLU and let them be the big-time sports school that they so desparately want to be.