Cross-posted: Tolerance
There was an interesting reaction to the fact that the Jesuit university, Boston College, decided to re-install crucifixes in their classrooms. I'm not sure when they were taken down, but accounts seem to indicate it was post-Vatican II. Deacon Greg Kandra, at his blog "The Deacon's Bench" posted an article, and a self-described BC alumnus "Matt"
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It is my understanding that the crucifixes were removed around the time of the Land-O-Lakes Conference (July 1967). Given the length of time absent, the sudden reappearance of the crucifixes does raise the question "Why now?" more than the question "Why?".
The fact is, the return of the crucifixes to the classrooms of BC co-incides a little too closely with the Boston Redevelopment Authority's decision to not allow the construction of new dorms on the Brighton Campus grounds. As Diogenes over at CatholicCulture's "Off the Record" points out, Fr. Leahy has to make up for the loss of income somewhere, and alumni contributions are more readily forthcoming when there is an appearance of orthodoxy on campus. If BC wishes to project an image as an orthodox Catholic institution, it will have to do far more--far, far more.
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I myself am recovering cynic. In fact, I found myself being cynical at the idea of alumni contributions. After all, if the crucifixes were taken out 41 years ago, many of the alumni would find classes sans crucifixes to be the norm! :)
I think of missionaries who planted crosses on new shores or modern nuns who bury medals on property they need. If there's even a few people who put made those crucifixes with prayer or who put them back as an act of devotion, good will come of it.
Put the crucifixes back into the classrooms and, at the very least, maybe some of the barely-Catholic students will think about what it means.
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