Catholic Students Select New Leaders

The new leadership of the Harvard-Radcliffe Catholic Student Association was named Sunday at a delicate time for a Church coping with the resignation of Cardinal Bernard F. Law ’53.

The association chose its new steering committee just days after Law resigned as archbishop of Boston. Law stepped down after facing months of criticism for his lax dealings with priests accused of child molestation.

Incoming President Caitlin R. Swanson ’05, who succeeds Denis M. Schweder ’04, said the scandal highlights the association’s future role in shaping people’s views and interactions with the Church.

“Personally, it is something that needs to be dealt with, that needs to be talked about,” she said.

Schweder expressed a similar sentiment and said the scandal raises questions about the future of the Church.

“There will be a lot more discussion about the role of the laity,” he said. “This is going to show us more about our role in influencing the community.”

Father Thomas E. Brennan, the Catholic chaplain of undergraduates, said Sunday that no Harvard students have openly voiced concerns about the resignation.

“None of the students have expressed any views publicly about this,” said Brennan, who is involved with the Catholic Student Association.

Swanson said, however, there may be forthcoming projects addressing the Church’s problems, though she cannot implement any initiatives unilaterally.

Swanson also said she hopes to work with committee chairs to strengthen the organization’s current programs.

Currently, the Catholic Student Association has nearly 20 programs, including a tutoring program, student choir and food pantry.

Schweder announced the organization’s new leadership at the end of the 8 p.m. Mass on Sunday.

Anyone at last Sunday’s mass was eligible to vote. The ballots included photographs and brief statements from each of the candidates.

Other members of the new steering committee—vice presidents of communications and finance, community development, social justice and spirituality—are Thomas L. Devlin ’04, Patrick S. Kelly ’05, Danny F. Haile ’05 and Kate G. Ward ’05, respectively.

Schweder also announced the association’s Freshman Committee, which was chosen in a process similar to that of the steering committee.

Kaitlin Burek ’06 will serve as chair, while A. Benet Magnuson ’06, Jennifer G. Raymond ’06 and Ryan T. Thornton ’06 round out the committee.

—Staff writer Alexander J. Blenkinsopp can be reached at blenkins@fas.harvard.edu.