Department of Religion in the Michigan University by F. FREDERICK BLISS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 25, 1909

Department of Religion in the Michigan University

By F. FREDERICK BLISS

The Western Watchman (Catholic) of St. Louis, quotes very liberally, and with all seeming approval, from Judge Grosscup’s Chicago public address demanding the teaching of religion in the public schools; but in the same number, in noticing an instance where that was being done which the judge demanded, but not in accordance with Catholic ideas, the Watchman says:—

“Catholic students at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor have been warned by the Rev. E. D. Kelly, pastor of St. Thomas’s Church of Ann Arbor, not to take the courses of philosophy under Professor Wenley, who has been placed at the head of the Ann Arbor School of Religion in the University. In a sermon recently, Father Kelly said: ‘Catholics attending the university are hereby warned not to take any of the so-called philosophy courses given by Professor Wenley. The teachings of the Church are the teachings of Christ. I do not believe that they can be improved on by the teachings of any college professor.’”

The establishment of the School of Religion in the Michigan University followed a lecture by Bishop Williams on the “imperative necessity” of a department of religion in the university. University professors are the instructors in the school. At the head of it is Professor Wenley, whose “liberal” teachings have attracted attention, and to which the Catholic prelate, Mr. Kelly, objects. F. FREDERICK BLISS.