The future of Catholic universitiesExperience in the chaplaincy of the Complutense University of MadridArtificial intelligence challenges Catholic universitiesA controversy has arisen at the Complutense University of Madrid that touches deep fibers about purpose and freedom in the university environment. It all began with a interview with the chaplain Juan Carlos Guirao, from the Faculties of Philosophy and Philology, who reflected on the great challenges facing today's society: Wokism, secularism, multiculturalism and the value of freedom in academic debate.
What was supposed to be a contribution to reflection ended in a heated discussion when the dean of Biology expressed his "concern" in the university's Governing Council, suggesting to the rector that the chaplain should limit his opinions to his chapel and his community, and not allow them to be disseminated in the university. The reaction was not long in coming, and Father Guirao responded with a public letter that not only defended his right to express his opinion, but also pointed out structural problems in the academic world.
The roots of the university and the loss of the debate
Universities were born in the 13th century as a space for the pursuit of knowledge, promoted by Christian intellectuals who were not afraid to subject their own beliefs to critical analysis. In Bologna, Paris, Salamanca or Oxford they not only accepted debate, but considered it essential to advance knowledge.
However, today we find the paradoxical situation that in the West there is a growing fear of discussing ideas that do not align with political correctness. Controversial topics such as gender ideology, abortion, euthanasia, recent history or even the nature of the State are treated, in many cases, from unilateral perspectives, excluding dissenting voices.
Chaplain Guirao, in his letter, does no more than recall what should be obvious in a higher education space: the university should be a place of free debate, where no position is excluded a priori. "Silence and invisibilization are not valid options in an environment that seeks the truth," he states firmly.
An uncomfortable reminder
Beyond the controversy, the chaplain's case highlights a crucial question: what do we want our universities to be: spaces for reflection and the search for truth, or ideological comfort zones where only certain voices are heard?
The chaplain's criticism is not without humor. He points out that, after more than 20 years working as a chaplain at the Complutense, his "contract" has been 0 euros, which gives him a freedom that others may not have. He also responds to the dean with a list of questions that invite dialogue: Are we born male or female, or do we choose to be? What prevents us from self-determining our age, race or even species? What is the anthropological basis of our laws?
His reflections are uncomfortable, and that is exactly what is needed in a living university. Comfort has never been an ally of intellectual progress.
Recovering the university spirit
The debate raised by Chaplain Guirao transcends the university where he works. It is an opportunity to recover the original meaning of the university institution: a place where truth is pursued with rigor, freedom and courage. As he rightly points out in his letter, what denigrates the university is not divergent opinions, but censorship, arbitrariness in the management of resources, and the lack of merit in some academic positions.
The chaplain is not asking for privileges for Christian ideas, but for equal opportunities for all perspectives to express themselves. Three years after the famous debate on the role of Christian intellectuals in the public sphere, this priest is a good example of what it means to stand up with courage, good arguments and Christian charity.
Ultimately, what is at stake is not just a chaplain's freedom to speak, but the very essence of what it means to be a university. Will we allow our institutions to follow the path of self-censorship? Or, like the intellectuals of the 13th century, will we have the courage to debate even what makes us uncomfortable?
Editor of Omnes. Previously, he has been a contributor to various media and a high school philosophy teacher for 18 years.
