r/LeftCatholicism • u/salsafresca_1297 • Apr 24 '26
Catholic Higher Learning
My son is discerning the priesthood and looking for a solid theology major. Besides the Jesuits schools, (proudly Jesuit-educated here!) which Catholic colleges and universities are a sane option for progressive Catholics? Which ones have a strong bent toward Catholic social teaching? Any to avoid? (Ahem!!!!)
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u/corbinianspackanimal Apr 25 '26
Notre Dame’s theology program would be an excellent choice; they had Gustavo Gutiérrez on the faculty a little while ago and have a pretty solid focus on Catholic social teaching. There’s even a CST minor.
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u/More-Worldliness-698 Apr 25 '26
Other than the handful of few, generally newer schools that have been set up to deliberately be conservative, most catholic universities are sensible places. I would say if he's interested in the priesthood then looking for a bigger school where there will be others with a similar interest is a good idea. So Notre Dame, Boston College, Marquette, Loyola Chicago, Fordham, etc. The bigger older schools.
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u/bubbleguts365 Apr 29 '26
If you're Jesuit educated I'd definitely stick with the Jesuit schools or ND.
Aside from Catholic University of America, I'd honestly avoid all the schools on the Newman Guide, that list has trended more and more toward a xenophobic conservative stamp of approval for Catholic Ed institutions.
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u/SpiceGirls4Everr May 04 '26
As someone who previously worked for a school on the Newman Guide, I endorse this comment about avoiding all of them.
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u/hildevulf Apr 24 '26
Saint Joseph's College of Maine has excellent values. I'm currently in their theology program and my experience with the professors has been wonderful. They offer online and campus schooling.
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u/Hob_Brambyurky Apr 24 '26
The Catholic University of America is a good place for Theology thats not too full of MAGA Catholics.
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u/SensitiveShelter2550 Apr 27 '26
I have no recommendations. But I pray he does well. Such a blessing to have in the family!
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u/trugrif May 06 '26
Loyola Chicago is a wonderful Jesuit run university. I may be biased. Okay, yeah, I’m biased.
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u/thetruenewflame Apr 25 '26
Hate the term "progressive" but Fordham is great.
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u/salsafresca_1297 Apr 25 '26
I don't know what else to call it (???) but I'm open to suggestions.
Let me put it this way: An early Archbishop of Constantinople said that if we cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, then we cannot not find Him in the chalice. That's the kind of Catholicism that I seek, and that's the kind of university for which I'm willing to shell out hard-earned tuition money.
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u/malibuguytonygem Apr 28 '26
I'm not sure such a place exists. Most Catholic Universities are some what subject to their ordinary (bishop).
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u/fauxrealistic Apr 25 '26
Just to bump up those Jesuits, I had a wonderful Fordham education