The launching of the Center for Faith and Public Life attracted a star-studded panel of guests, as well as students protesting the event, when it was unveiled at the Quick Center on Monday night.

Directed by Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., a sociology professor, the Center will be a cross-disciplinary forum for students, scholars, policy makers and religious leadesr to converse and reflect on the many issues in which religion intersects with civic life.

Guests included The Most Reverend William E. Lori, S.T.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport; His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, D.C.; Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J.; and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives Richard Boucher.

Outside of the formal presentation, about a dozen people were handing out two-sided flyers protesting Boucher’s invitation.

“The Bush Administration is not an administration which has shown a commitment to justice, to diversity, and to human dignity,” the flyer said.

Philosophy professor Joy Gordon said there were activists from the community, students from the College Democrats, and faculty that included her, Jocelyn Boryzcka, Sue MacAvoy, and Kevin Cassidy giving people these handouts.

The handout also said that to honor such a guest “is fundamentally inconsistent with Ignatian principles, with Catholic social teachings, and with Fairfield University’s own Mission Statement.”

Some students expressed their disappointment in Boucher’s presence.

“I thought the fact that he didn’t know anyone’s names was disheartening,” said College Democrat Andrew Fusco ’07. “He didnt know Fr. Von Arx’s name or any of the cardinals.”

“He didn’t sound like he prepared very much,” Fusco added. “He talked for a few minutes and then whipped out a letter from Bush.”

The Fairfield administration issued a press release before the event which read, “Objection…is the sign of a vibrant and healthy University community…where diverse points of view may occur…Nothing about faith and life is simple and whenever the two meet controversy is sure to ensue.”

But the tone of the ceremony was not entirely political. Throughout the night, the Jesuit speakers referred to the complex relationship between religion and public life in theological and historical terms.

McCarrick said”there are moral values in everything we do.”

“Questions of life are primordial, essential,” said McCarrick, who also serves for the Vatican on the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

McCarrick commended Fairfield for having the foresight to create such a Center.

“It’s so important that we open our minds and voices,” he said.

Dulles, who is internationally recognized, is currently the Laurence J. McGinley Professor of Religion and Society at Fordham University; he has written over 700 articles on theological topics, published 22 books, and holds 28 honorary doctorates.

Unfortunately, His Excellency Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, was unable to attend the event.

Boucher said, “this Center couldn’t be more timely” before reading a message sent from President George W. Bush.

“Education is the gateway to a hopeful tomorrow,” wrote Bush, applauding Fairfield for “encourag[ing] the new generations to be responsible leaders in their communities.”

“Laura and I send our best wishes,” said Bush. “May God bless you and continue to bless America.”

In his address, Ryscavage challenged “people who assume that God is on their side.”

“I know from experience that sometimes religious leaders develop habits of certainty on such issues as economics, public health and military policy that far exceed their competence or even the competence of their staffs,” said Ryscavage. He then said “sorry” in Boucher’s direction.

“To me, in our democracy, church and state need to be kept separate,” said Ryscavage. “The Church is not the political arm of the gospel. It is its own social entity within the gospel.”

He did say that the two share a common border and that “there is much they can teach each other.”

Ryscavage said the Center will address “declining levels of civic engagement among students.”

“I believe that attending to faith can be a powerful tool in this process of preparing and mobilizing students for committed intelligent participation in political and civic life,” he said. “Especially by insisting on the concrete public responsibilities that fall on every human person as a part of their humanity.”

The event drew several hundred people. Many audience members gave positive reviews of the event.

Tripp Walker ’08, who didn’t know what the event was about until he went, said the night “brought to light the importance of having the Center.”

Carlos Rom ’07 said although the night had political intentions, it wasn’t the whole thing.

“The guest speaker’s [Boucher’s] speech wasn’t that long,” he said. “It wasn’t propaganda per se.”

“I think it was a good start,” said business professor Chris Huntley. “It was interesting because it was clear that there wasn’t any intention to force political views.”

Father Eugene Szantyr from St. Andrew’s Parish in Bridgeport said, “I think it’s a very bold thing, and much needed within our society.”