Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Religion
Related: About this forumCatholic priests appointment as university president stuns French
Students and teachers of Strasbourg University observe a minute of silence at the "Palais Universitaire" in Strasbourg, France, on Nov. 16, 2015. Photo courtesy of Reuters/Vincent Kessler
By Tom Heneghan | 12 mins ago
PARIS (RNS) The French delight in exceptions to the rule, until one comes along that they dont like.
One such case has emerged in Alsace, where a Catholic priest has been elected president of the state-run University of Strasbourg.
Michel Deneken, 59, headed the universitys Catholic theology faculty from 2001 to 2009 and was then first vice president of the university before being elected by a wide majority last week to preside over one of the countrys leading centers of higher learning.
His appointment has stirred up a storm of controversy.
His appointment has stirred up a storm of controversy.
http://religionnews.com/2016/12/22/catholic-priests-appointment-as-university-president-stuns-french/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 1178 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (2)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Catholic priests appointment as university president stuns French (Original Post)
rug
Dec 2016
OP
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)1. Should his qualifications not be the only consideration?
From the article:
We didnt even know until now that he was a priest, said Jean-Loup Salzmann, head of the Conference of University Presidents, adding this was a good sign that Deneken was indeed neutral in his work.
The new university president wears civilian clothes, like many French priests, and does not use the cross-shaped lapel pin most priests display on their jackets to indicate their status.
The new university president wears civilian clothes, like many French priests, and does not use the cross-shaped lapel pin most priests display on their jackets to indicate their status.
If they did not even know that he was a priest, it sounds indeed as if he was perhaps chosen because he is qualified.
rug
(82,333 posts)2. Maybe they think he's mentally ill.
I understand some people can't discern this.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)3. Well, that apparently is a concern for some people.
I must confess that I had not considered that aspect.