Baptism and the Unity of the Church

Abstract

Bare Ruined Choirs (Doubleday, 1972). the [esuits, once a model for excellenee and Catholic identity, became, as it were, a new order. For most practical purposes, the sisters' communities, while fantasizing about renewal, simply died. As Burtchaell surveys the results, he sees no obviously hopeful signs. He may be too melancholy-is Notre Dame really so far gone, or howabout the University of Dallas? Nevertheless, there is too much truth in his diagnosis for any kind of comfort. Burtchaell cannot mean his dreary tale only for us to lose heart. It's precisely for this reason that readers with any interest in faith and learning can profit from this otherwise bleak book. Not all former Christian colleges are now in Dante's hell, but manyare in purgatory. Purgatory means, of course, hope, but not hope except through trial and tribulation. Roman Catholics may face a Waterloo soon, as they confront the mostly sensible, moderate apostolic consitution Ex corde ecclesiae. Burtchaell will have done a service if only he can shock peole into taking the crisis seriously. D