Exclusive: new interim president for Ohio Dominican U.

A source at Ohio Dominican University sent me this message:

"Hopefully this is an answer to much prayer and fasting done by us here at my school.

Our former president recently resigned, after making such moves as having Joan Chittister speak at commencement last year. [It's true, he did.] Needless to say, we're happy he is gone.

This is the only Catholic college in the Columbus diocese, and has much potential.

I attached the press release." [Read that document here.]

When ODU announced the Chittister invite, the Cardinal Newman Society protested. SperoNews has that story. Here's the relevant part on Chittister:

On May 13, women's ordination activist Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, will give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. Chittister -"described by ODU as 'one of the Church's key visionary voices and spiritual leaders" - is a leading dissident from the Church's infallible teaching on male ordination.

Inviting someone like Chittister as the commencement speaker is not an isolated episode of poor judgement and bad taste, it reveals the character, goals and viewpoint of the administration that invites her. It's not hard to see why many people at ODU have been praying and fasting.

As another example, the ODU President's recent response to two incidents of vandalism back in August was to require that all students take a "multiculturalism class" beginning this fall. [source.]

The incoming interim president, the Most Reverend James A. Griffin (retired Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus - picture), seems like a breath of fresh air in comparison. [Read the University's press release about him here.]

Does anyone else have information about ODU to add? Please post below in the combox or email me.

Also, thanks to the reader who sent in this tip. I'm always eager to publish credible, objective news that would interest my readers. For instance, this story I take to be an example of positive renewal in Catholic higher education, and I know that it is not an isolated event. Drop me a line!