Home/Stay Informed/All Diocesan Articles

All Diocesan Articles

Franciscan University Offers Safe Haven to Jewish Students

Posted on October 17, 2023 in: News

Franciscan University Offers Safe Haven to Jewish Students

                               

         Franciscan University Offers Safe Haven to Jewish Students

 

President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, promises warm welcome to students under threat of antisemitic discrimination, violence on U.S. campuses.

STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—In the wake of the horrific Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 and the ongoing Israeli military response, Franciscan University of Steubenville has created an expedited transfer process for Jewish students in danger of antisemitic discrimination and violence on campuses across the United States.

“With our fellow Christians around the world, we are praying for justice and peace,” said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89, president of Franciscan University. “But with too many universities preaching tolerance but practicing prejudice, we feel compelled to do more. We are witnessing a very troubling spike in antisemitism and serious threats against Jewish students. We want to offer them the chance to transfer immediately to Franciscan.”

Franciscan University’s administration has taken action to expedite their transfer process and make plans to accommodate any additional students. Despite the logistical challenges that have come with this year’s record-breaking enrollment, Franciscan University administrators believe creating a safe haven for these students is the right thing to do.

“Our community will welcome them with generosity and respect,” said Father Pivonka. “Our religious differences will not cause any conflict. On the contrary, at Franciscan, our radical fidelity to Christ and the Catholic faith demands of us fraternal charity toward our Jewish brothers and sisters, as it does toward all people.”

Mindful of the many Jewish students who may want to transfer immediately out of universities where they face hostility, Father Pivonka has invited presidents of other faithful Catholic universities to join Franciscan in this effort.

Franciscan University and The Philos Project recognized the need to confront a resurgent antisemitism many months ago when it organized a joint conference, Nostra Aetate and the Future of Catholic-Jewish Relations at a Time of Rising Antisemitism, for October 24-26. The conference coordinators never imagined the tragic timeliness their event would take on.

“It is a great source of distress and sadness that the recent Hamas terrorist attacks—in themselves unspeakable evils—have led to yet further increases in threats of violence against the Jewish people,” said Dr. Stephen Hildebrand, vice president for Academic Affairs at Franciscan University and conference organizer. “We affirm the Church’s repeated condemnations of antisemitism made necessary throughout history and today by ongoing acts of violence and discrimination against the Jews.”

The Catholic Church has acknowledged her own past failings in fraternal charity toward the Jewish people and roots her repeated condemnations of antisemitism in the Gospel. According to the Vatican Council II document, Nostra Aetate, “The Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.” This condemnation has been forcefully repeated by Pope Paul VI, Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. The bishops of the United States have also expressed their unanimous condemnation of antisemitism. Jewish students who would like to transfer to Franciscan University of Steubenville can email admissions@franciscan.edu.

One of only 15 faithfully Catholic universities endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society, Franciscan University of Steubenville continues to lead the renaissance of Catholic higher education called for in Ex corde Ecclesiae.

Franciscan University, founded in 1946 by friars of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, integrates excellent academic programs with a dynamic faith environment to serve over 3,800 students from all 50 states and 18 countries on campus, including 1,300 students online.

Franciscan’s 87 percent first-year retention rate shows that when students come to Franciscan they stay, drawn to its Christ-centered campus culture and integration of faith and reason in the classroom.

Ranked in the top tier of Midwest universities by U.S. News & World Report since 1998, Franciscan offers over 100 programs of study including 45 undergraduate programs, 9 graduate programs, and 17 online programs—all grounded in Franciscan’s acclaimed Catholic core curriculum.

The University’s newest academic programs include mechanical engineering, software engineering, criminal justice, biochemistry, cybersecurity, a master’s in Catholic studies, and an Entrepreneurship Program that combines business best practices, leadership formation, and Catholic social teaching.

A study abroad program in a beautifully restored 14th-century Carthusian monastery in Austria attracts up to 200 students each semester, broadening their horizons intellectually and spiritually through pilgrimages to historic and sacred sites.

For more about Franciscan University of Steubenville and its mission to educate, evangelize, and send forth Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ, visit Franciscan.edu or connect with Franciscan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

 


Most Viewed Articles of the Last 30 Days

Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2025

Posted on February 25, 2025 in: News, Lent

1410

Pope Francis’ Message for Lent 2025
In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of living one’s life as a constant journey of conversion, choosing to walk in peace and hope aside one’s fellow humans. “May the hope that does not disappoint, the central message of the jubilee, be the focus of our Lenten journey toward the victory of Easter,” the pope said in the message, released Tuesday.  He also quoted St. Paul’s exclamation in the first letter to the Corinthians: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? W...

Read More

2025 CT March for Life Coming on March 19th
For those who recognize the value of all life, the early months of the year offer many opportunities to publicly declare the sanctity and dignity of every human person. On Jan. 19, Archbishop Coyne was the main celebrant for a Pro-Life Mass & Baby Shower Collection at St. Mary Church in New Haven, part of Blessed Michael McGivney Parish. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the Mass provided time for prayer and the chance to donate baby items for the Connecticut Pregnancy Resource Centers. Mary, Gate of Heaven Parish hosted a Mass for Life on Jan. 20 at St. Rober...

Read More

Rite of Election Welcomes Catechumens on First Sunday of Lent
On Sunday, March 9, the First Sunday of Lent, the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Norwich was filled with faith and anticipation as catechumens from across the diocese gathered for the Rite of Election. This significant step in their journey toward full initiation into the Catholic Church marks their formal enrollment in the Book of the Elect, bringing them one step closer to the Easter sacraments. With our diocese still awaiting the appointment of a new bishop, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford presided over the celebration, offering words of encouragemen...

Read More

‘Carlo Acutis, I am in Your Hands’: Catholic Pediatrician Recovers from Cancer
María Dolores Rosique, known as “Lola” by her family members and friends, is pictured here when she was hospitalized. A second-class relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis accompanied her at her bedside. | Credit: Courtesy of Lola Rosique With a radiant smile, pediatric physician María Dolores Rosique, who goes by “Lola” among family and friends, recounted with renewed faith her testimony of healing after overcoming aggressive abdominal cancer. She testifies that her recovery began after visiting the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy, and placi...

Read More

Latest Employment Opportunities

Posted on March 05, 2025 in: News

432

Latest Employment Opportunities
Looking for a job? We have some open positions that can be found at  NorwichDiocese.org/Employment.   The updated page includes listings for several employment opportunities within the diocese.     The latest job listings are for a Cook at the Academy of the Holy Family - Click Here and a  Spanish Teacher, 2025-2026 School Year — St. James School, Danielson - Click Here   Other job postings are online as well Be sure to keep the link to NorwichDiocese.org/Employment handy

Read More

Meet 7 ‘Generation X’ Catholics on Their Way to Sainthood
Top row from left to right: Niña Ruiz Abad, Marcelo Henrique Câmara, Sister Cecilia María de la Santa Faz. Bottom row from left to right: Víctor Manuel Schiavoni, Chiara Badano, Rebeca Rocamora. Bottom center: Carlos Rodolfo Yaryez | Credit: Courtesy of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Archdiocese of Florianópolis (Brazil), Archdiocese of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, Custodian Movies, Fondazione Chiara Badano and the Archdiocese of Paraná In addition to some young millennials who are now on their way to sainthood, there are also seven members of Gene...

Read More

Latest Articles
The Hidden Vocation: The Generous Single Life
Diocese to Host New England Basketball Tournament
Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of March
Rite of Election Welcomes Catechumens on First Sunday of Lent
Share Easter Joy With the Children of St. Vincent de Paul Place
Norwich Diocesan Cemeteries Spring Cleanup Reminder
Lent and the Call to Generosity: Serving Christ in Others
24 Hours for the Lord
Recently Added Galleries
Click to view album: 40 Days for Life 2024
Click to view album: Blessing of the Fleet 2024
Click to view album: Mass of Ordination for Fr. Eric Carl Hosmer, Fr. Julian Felipe Cuervo-Lozada and Fr. Alexander James Pandolfe
Click to view album: Norwich Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (NDCCW) 46th Annual Layette
Signup for Weekly Newsletter

     

    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
    201 Broadway
    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294