THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 6, 1996 TAG: 9604060293
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALISON BOLOGNA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
Catholics at Pat Roberston's graduate school have often felt their traditions are overwhelmed by the faith and practices of evangelical Protestants.
On Friday, they had a chance to teach others about their rituals by setting up the stations of the cross on the campus lawn of Regent University. For Catholics, the opportunity demonstrated that the school is changing to reflect religious diversity.
``It's been wonderful to witness Christian students come out here and watch us,'' said Keith Fournier, executive director of the American Center of Law and Justice at the university. ``They realize that we love the Lord as much as they do.''
``It's a Catholic tradition, but nothing offensive to Christians,'' said John Peck, the pastor of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church and a part-time chaplain at the school. ``We're just walking in the footsteps of Jesus.''
About 15 people, including students, faculty and community members, participated in the ceremony in front of the university's library. Students generally agreed that there was little tension.
``People have been watching us out here, but they've also been asking us questions and flipping through our books,'' student Heather Spon said.
Relationships at the school, which is about 15 percent Catholic, have not always been tame.
Terry R. Lindvall, Regent's president, has been one of the champions of opening the school up to a wide range of religious and political opinions. Sometimes, the events raise a tumult.
A 1994 visit by Roman Catholic Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, leader of the Richmond diocese, sparked lively, sometimes angry debate, due to Sullivan's advocacy of civil rights for homosexuals.
This fall, the Rev. Ian Paisley, an Irish Protestant leader, came to the campus at the invitation of a conservative group. Though the university did not sponsor his talk, Lindvall said he heard that some Catholic students and staff were offended by Paisley's comments about Catholics.
One student also said that he knew faculty who were ``vehemently opposed'' to Catholicism and who would announce their feelings in front of their classes.
``Those kinds of views shouldn't be made in public,'' student Bart Tolleson said.
But in general, students and faculty agreed that change and inclusion on the campus is in the works.
``The majority of the administration openly embraces Catholic students,'' Tolleson said. ``In fact, one of our founding faculty members is Catholic, which makes this place different from the so-called Christian university.''
Other students agreed.
``I feel welcome here,'' student Todd Wilkowski said. ``There are all kinds of denominations and differences in theology on any Christian campus. What we need is discussion.''
The Newman Club, a group of Catholic students at the university, is trying to bring speakers to the campus and offer community Masses.
``As a Catholic administrator here, it's encouraging to see students living their faith,'' Fournier said. ``This represents true ecumenism. We have Christ as a common god, but we're honest about differences within our church.''
The Easter ceremony, in its second year, was well received.
``We realize that we have a wonderful history and tradition,' Wilkowski said.
``You can harp on the differences between denominations, but it's better to focus on the similarities,'' student Dave Baldwin said. ``This weekend is the climax of it all, the completion of Christ's mission, and we're trying to glorify that.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
From left, Jack Manhire, Father John Peck, Elaine Mueller and Bart
Tolleson recite the stations of the cross. Some said the service
showed that Regent is changing to reflect religious diversity.
HUY NGUYEN\The Virginian-Pilot
Led by Father John Peck of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, at
left, a part-time chaplain at Regent University, Catholic students
at the school gathered on the lawn in front of the library Friday to
set up the stations of the cross. Carrying the cross in the
foreground is Jack Manhire.
by CNB