ARTICLES
January 2003 ARTICLES
Contents © 2003
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
At Home in His Element
Cardinal Mahony at Gala USC Fundraiser
By Charles A. Coulombe
On November 19, 2002, at 5 p.m., well-heeled Catholics among the Univeristy of Southern California's alumni and faculty were invited to a reception to be held at Town and Gown, reception rooms at the university. The occasion was the launch of the USC Catholic Center's capital campaign, intended to gather money to build a modern replacement for the current outmoded and slightly poky structure. Special guests mentioned on the invitation were Cardinal Roger Mahony and USC president Steven Sample.
Attendees were handed copies of the center's mission statement and a prospectus on the new building. Amongst other improving things, the mission statement informed the public that "our heritage embraces a tradition of education that forms the foundation for social action and change, in the model of the Servant Lord." Most of the older folk present, however, looked as though the current social structure and organization had done quite well by them. There were also a number of students who use the center, and who had apparently been gathered by e-mail. "I don't know what it's all about," one female student said, "but I thought it might be fun."
Before the speeches began, the cardinal worked the crowd, at home in his element. The wines were excellent, as were the canapés. Well-trained waiters circulated with the latter, while a bar dispensed the former. A harpist discreetly serenaded the throng.
At length, the prosperous folk were shepherded into an adjoining room for the speeches, and President Sample was introduced. "USC," he informed us, "is not like other universities. We are interested in the spiritual aspect of our students." This provoked the quiet comment to me from a professor, "if he's so concerned about the spiritual, why has he gutted humanities' budgets in favor of the business school?" The president continued, "although we do not keep records on students' religious affiliations, it is estimated that a third of USC students are Catholic! That's more than Notre Dame!" He went on to say that the university felt close to the archdiocese and Catholics in general. Sample then added, "I'm an Episcopalian. How many Episcopalians does it take to change a light-bulb? Five! One to change it, and four to talk about how much they prefer the old one!"
Introduced as the man who "has done more for spirituality in Los Angeles than anyone else," Cardinal Mahony took the podium. His Eminence said, "how many Catholics does it take to change a light-bulb? Five! One to change and the other four to say they want the old one back!" He continued, "Catholics want the old one back!" In a jaunty salute to his flock's concerns, the cardinal added, "judging by my mail, anyway!" He went on to say how wonderful it was that USC would be building a new chapel; "we've just built a little chapel of our own," he cracked.
The next speaker was Father William Messenger, chaplain at USC. "Those of you old enough to remember the Baltimore Catechism will recall that it asked profound questions and gave, well, simple answers. 'Who made you? God made me. Why did God make you? To know, love, honor, and obey HER in this world, and to be happy forever with HER in the next!'" There was, of course, a great deal of laughter at this witticism, in which the cardinal joined heartily. "Our goal here is to challenge the students' faith and to realize St. Irenaeus's vision that 'the glory of God is a human being fully alive,'" continued Father Messenger. "Notice that St. Irenaeus never spoke about a faith or a religion or a church." This provoked the comment from a man at my table, "obviously Father has not read St. Irenaeus!" Father went on about the need to educate students.
Father Messenger's work is informed, so he says on the Catholic Center's website, by a very unique vision: "there is a growing position among theologians that everyone goes to heaven -- a theological concept known as 'universal salvation.' This is my own belief and it undergirds much of my preaching and ministry." The same site (http://catholictrojan.org/) informs us that Father Messenger does not believe in the devil -- but if such exists, he too will be saved. Father Messenger says about Hell: "while some still choose to believe in an eternal hell, I believe that is more conceptual than real."
After a boy and girl spoke about the things they had done under Father Messenger's inspiration, the formal part of the program ended, and we were allowed to enjoy the jazz ensemble and the quesadilla bar.