Pope Leo sent a message to Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan to mark its centenary. The Pope offered greetings to the university community and acknowledged their academic endeavors inspired by the Gospel. Fu Jen Catholic University was founded in 1925 at the request of the Holy See and reconstituted in Taiwan in 1961. The Pope invited the community to reflect on the mission of Catholic higher education, as articulated in Ex corde Ecclesiae. The Pope expressed his hope that the anniversary would renew the community's commitment to be witnesses of wisdom and hope in a changing world.
10 days ago
Pope Leo XIV delivered a message to mark the 100th anniversary of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, read during a Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Lau Cheng-chung in the university's chapel in Taipei.1
The event highlights the institution's century of Gospel-inspired academic efforts, with the Pope extending heartfelt greetings to the entire university community.1
Founded in 1925 at the Holy See's request and reconstituted in Taiwan in 1961, Fu Jen holds the distinction of being the only higher education institution established by the Holy See in the Mandarin-speaking world.1
Over the decades, it has integrated intellectual excellence with its motto—Veritas, Bonitas, Pulchritudo, Sanctitas—shaping individuals who contribute to society through wisdom, integrity, and compassion.1
Pope Leo urged the community to revisit the mission of Catholic higher education as outlined in Ex corde Ecclesiae, emphasizing the exploration of Revelation and nature to foster full human development in God's image.1
This reflection underscores the role of uniting intelligence and faith amid contemporary challenges.1
In a rapidly changing world marked by technological advances, cultural shifts, and ethical dilemmas, the Pope hopes the anniversary will renew the commitment to serve as witnesses of wisdom and hope, guided by Christ's light.1
He envisions the seeds of faith, knowledge, and service planted a century ago continuing to yield fruit for future generations.1
How does Ex corde Ecclesiae define Catholic higher education?
Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the 1990 Apostolic Constitution issued by Pope John Paul II, provides a comprehensive vision of Catholic higher education as an institution deeply embedded in the Church's tradition while engaging the modern world. It portrays Catholic universities not merely as academic centers but as vital bridges between faith and reason, dedicated to the pursuit of truth in service to human dignity, the Church, and society. This document emphasizes that Catholic higher education unites the intellectual quest for knowledge with the certainty of divine revelation, fostering communities where scholarship advances the Gospel message amid contemporary challenges.
At its core, Ex Corde Ecclesiae defines Catholic higher education as emerging "from the heart of the Church," tracing its origins to the earliest universities as centers of creativity and knowledge dissemination for humanity's benefit. These institutions are described as the Universitas magistrorum et scholarium, where teachers and students unite in a shared love of knowledge, embodying the gaudium de veritate—the joy of searching for, discovering, and communicating truth in every field. Unlike secular universities, Catholic ones have a privileged task: to intellectually integrate the search for truth with the "certainty of already knowing the fount of truth," which is God. This integration addresses the moral and spiritual dimensions of scientific progress, ensuring that knowledge serves authentic human good rather than isolated advancement.
The document honors Catholic universities' responsibility to consecrate themselves "without reserve to the cause of truth," serving both human dignity and the Church's conviction that "truth is (its) real ally ... and that knowledge and reason are sure ministers to faith." In an era needing disinterested service to proclaim truth's meaning—essential for freedom, justice, and dignity—Catholic higher education pursues a "universal humanism" by researching all aspects of truth in connection with the supreme Truth, Christ, the "Way, the Truth, and the Life." This pursuit is fearless and enthusiastic, guided by the Holy Spirit, which enables human intelligence to grasp ultimate reality.
Ex Corde Ecclesiae outlines the nature of a Catholic university as a scholarly community representing diverse branches of knowledge, akin to any university but infused with a distinct purpose. It is dedicated to research, teaching, and services aligned with its cultural mission, while maintaining institutional autonomy to fulfill these functions effectively. This autonomy guarantees academic freedom for its members, provided it respects individual rights, community well-being, and the boundaries of truth and the common good.
As an academic entity, it rigorously protects and advances human dignity and cultural heritage through critical inquiry and offerings to local, national, and international communities. Yet, its Catholic dimension elevates this: all research, teaching, and activities are informed by "Catholic ideals, principles and attitudes," linking the institution to the Church through formal bonds or commitments from its leaders. Every Catholic university must publicly declare its identity—via a mission statement or similar document—and structure itself to preserve this identity, ensuring Catholic teaching influences all operations while respecting personal freedom of conscience. Official actions must align with this Catholic ethos.
The document specifies four indispensable characteristics that define a Catholic university's identity, ensuring a "Christian presence in the university world" amid society's great problems. First, it requires a Christian inspiration not just for individuals but for the entire university community. Second, it demands continuing reflection on the expanding body of human knowledge in the light of Catholic faith, contributing original research to this treasury. Third, it calls for fidelity to the Christian message as transmitted through the Church. Fourth, it mandates an institutional commitment to the service of God's people and the human family on their journey to transcendent fulfillment, giving life its ultimate meaning.
These traits ensure the university is both rigorously academic and explicitly Catholic, expressing its identity through ties to the local and universal Church. It must concretely shape community life, services, and programs, studying contemporary issues and proposing solutions rooted in Christian anthropology and ethics. Theology plays a central role, with every Catholic university required to include a faculty or chair of theology to foster dialogue between faith and other disciplines, preventing fragmented knowledge and promoting a unified vision of reality.
Catholic higher education's mission extends to evangelization and societal service, making it an indispensable instrument for the Church in modern times. Through research illuminated by the Christian message, it places discoveries at the service of individuals and society; through faith-informed education, it forms persons for critical judgment and recognition of human dignity; through ethical professional training, it instills service values; and through cultural dialogue and theological work, it renders faith accessible and relevant. In secular or mission territories, it witnesses Christ institutionally, countering unknown or marginalized Gospel truths.
The Church entrusts Catholic universities with renewing culture by penetrating mentalities with Gospel strength, evaluating modern values Christianly, and promoting justice and accessible education for the marginalized. They prepare students for Christian vocations, addressing societal issues while bridging sciences, arts, and cultures with Christ's light. Bishops, religious orders, and the laity are called to support these institutions, guarding their freedoms and aiding their development, especially in needy regions.
In essence, Ex Corde Ecclesiae defines Catholic higher education as a dynamic, Church-rooted endeavor that harmonizes intellectual rigor with spiritual depth, equipping individuals to witness faith amid cultural shifts. This vision remains vital, urging universities to boldly proclaim uncomfortable truths for society's authentic good while fostering holistic human formation. By embodying these principles, Catholic institutions continue to advance Christian culture and human progress, inviting the entire ecclesial community to their renewal.