Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 325

aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom. We witness

an assumption that every experience is of equal worth and a reluctance to

admit imperfection and mistakes. And particularly disturbing, is the reduc-

tion of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to manage-

ment of ''risk'', bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love.

How might Christian educators respond? These harmful developments

point to the particular urgency of what we might call ''intellectual charity''.

This aspect of charity calls the educator to recognize that the profound

responsibility to lead the young to truth is nothing less than an act of love.

Indeed, the dignity of education lies in fostering the true perfection and

happiness of those to be educated. In practice ''intellectual charity'' upholds

the essential unity of knowledge against the fragmentation which ensues

when reason is detached from the pursuit of truth. It guides the young

towards the deep satisfaction of exercising freedom in relation to truth,

and it strives to articulate the relationship between faith and all aspects of

family and civic life. Once their passion for the fullness and unity of truth has

been awakened, young people will surely relish the discovery that the ques-

tion of what they can know opens up the vast adventure of what they ought

to do. Here they will experience ''in what'' and ''in whom'' it is possible to

hope, and be inspired to contribute to society in a way that engenders hope in

others.

Dear friends, I wish to conclude by focusing our attention specifically on

the paramount importance of your own professionalism and witness within

our Catholic universities and schools. First, let me thank you for your ded-

ication and generosity. I know from my own days as a professor, and I have

heard from your Bishops and officials of the Congregation for Catholic Edu-

cation, that the reputation of Catholic institutes of learning in this country is

largely due to yourselves and your predecessors. Your selfless contributions

- from outstanding research to the dedication of those working in inner-city

schools - serve both your country and the Church. For this I express my

profound gratitude.

In regard to faculty members at Catholic colleges universities, I wish to

reaffirm the great value of academic freedom. In virtue of this freedom you

are called to search for the truth wherever careful analysis of evidence leads

you. Yet it is also the case that any appeal to the principle of academic

freedom in order to justify positions that contradict the faith and the teach-