Davis Luanava, a member of the Hopi Native American tribe in northeastern Arizona, had the honor of closing USD’s 25th All Faith Service by delivering the prayer of intercession following a Kumeyaay Bird Song presentation by Kumeyaay native speaker Stan Rodriguez.
The Native American perspective, along with five other world religions, were welcomed in by USD and Monsignor Daniel J. Dillabough. The theme, “Reaching Beyond Ourselves: Flourishing Together in a Globalized World,” anchored the reflections’ focus.
“As USD moves into its future, celebrating religious diversity remains vital to fulfilling our mission as a contemporary and engaged Catholic university, today’s theme invites us to consider how the world’s religions offer us a connection to what lies beyond the here and now,” Msgr. Dillabough continued. “Each faith tradition is distinct and there are differences that are not easily overcome. But at their best, each offers an account of a life worth living, of wisdom and how to nurture altruism and encourage global solidarity.”
Indeed, Luanava’s joy from her participation, wasn’t an isolated experience. She was one of six USD students to contribute meaningfully to this traditional USD spring semester kickoff event.
Amina Yusuf ’18 gave the prayer of intercession following the Muslim Call to Prayer by Imam Taha Hassane. Allison Phillips ’21 spoke on behalf of the Buddhist religion after Diana Shimkus’ mindful message presentation; Meagan Wilkinson ’18 followed the Christian Reflection given by Dr. Miroslav Volf; Riya Pandit ’20 shared the prayer following a beautiful Hindu dance by Sri Rajesh Kumar Palai and Laboni Patnai, and Glenda Joffe delivered the Jewish prayer, preceded by USD School of Law Professor Richard Barton’s Jewish teaching.
As a first-year student and a first-time participant in the All Faith Service, Phillips enjoyed her experience. “This event is so necessary. The community needs to know how open we are,” Phillips said.
Yusuf, although a senior, also participated in her first All Faith Service, and also enjoyed it. Her prayer offered praise and with it, a call for social justice: “Merciful One, you created the heavens and the earth and everything in between; you are great beyond our imaginings, help us live more in your holiness and virtue, fighting racism, sexism and inequity wherever we encounter it.”
Full story at University of San Diego website.
This was just a quasi-religious expression of left-wing politics. Nothing Catholic about it, despite the laughable claims to the contrary. USD is too far gone to save.
No Mass? Probably preempted by a third world fertility dance.
Does Islam “offer an account of a life worth living”? Maybe we should ask the Christians living in Iraq and Syria who are persecuted every day by Muslims! Is the Imam’s participation an example of taqqiya? We’ll never know because the answer would be taqqiya too. John Quincy Adams, our 6th President, stated succinctly: “The precept of the Quran is, perpetual war against all who deny that (Mohammed) is the prophet of God….As the essential principle of (Mohammed’s) faith is the subjugation of others by the sword; it is only by force, that the false doctrines can be dispelled, and his power annihilated. The commands of the prophet may be performed alike, by fraud, or by force”.
a spiritual smorgasboard
it’s so fine
all you can eat for a dollar ninety nine
USD’s diversity is the finest in the land
but a dollar’s worth was all that I could stand
USD is a Catholic university. In today’s world, it is undoubtedly a good idea for the students to have exposure to many of the world’s religious traditions. It is part of becoming an educated person…even at a Catholic university.
I wont try to wax poetic. In my opinion, we all need to recognize that there is a wide diversity of human religious beliefs. I believe the University is correct to respect this diversity, including presenting this to the students. Otherwise, some students believe their way is the only way. History tells us most of human wars have religious animosity as a major contributing factor.
“. History tells us most of human wars have religious animosity as a major contributing factor.” Sure mike m. WWI, WWII, Korean war, Viet Nam war were clear examples of ….well, let’s start over. Stalin’s war against his own people, the same with Chairman Mao, and Pol Pot, they were clear examples of … well we’ll try again. Our Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War, were clear examples of …ok, try something else. I can think of only three examples of your claim that hold water: the 30 years war (1618-1648) and the violent spread of Islam, to which Christians were obliged to defend themselves against– think Lepanto, and The Troubles in Northern Ireland (hardly a war).
Harold,
Your message represents how far gone to pot liberal self-proclaimed Christians have become, because they are shallow in their faith and don’t engage brain before engaging mouth.
Maybe if you try reading very-slowly and meditate until you realize that worshipping other “gods” is simply breaking our true and only God’s 1st Commandment; you’ll realize your erred mind-set. Also ask why our Lord sent His Apostles to preach the gospel to all nations, not pagan gods. Think about it Harold.
Mike,
USD’s duty is to love, obey, respect, serve, and accurately teach and practice the true Roman Catholic faith to all it’s students past and present, otherwise catering to these pagan religion can lead to breaking God’s 1st Commandment, like it or not.
Pray for God’s grace to see the truth.
Ask the president of UsD one question, “Do you believe religions other than Catholicism are wrong?” The answer will tell you all you need to know about him and his vision for the school.
Jeanie: May God continue to bless you! My experience in evangelization others has been one must always start with respect for a person’s beliefs and begin a conversation with him or her regarding the truths of the Catholic faith. Additionally, the Church teaches that human beings are afforded religious freedom. Please read Dignitatis Humanae and Nostra Aetate.
A Catholic school should be Catholic, support Catholicism, celebrate Catholicism, promote Catholicism and defend Catholicism. People are free to enroll at a Catholic school or not. A Catholic school’s Catholic identity should not be watered down nor compromised to satisfy non-Catholic values such as relativism and religious pluralism. This service was a celebration of religious indifference that cannot at all be squared with a strong Catholic institutional identity.
Where in this service was there a presentation of the truths of Catholic faith? Nowhere.
I sent my son to one of the Catholic Colleges like you describe. It is what I wanted and what he wanted. But it is not what everyone wants. There is a down side to it such as what happens when they come out of the bubble? There are things that USD offers that are not available at the Newman Colleges.