That baffles me. The fact that other presidents have not done so or that some academics take exception to my profession means nothing to me whatsoever. In my position, I followed the Church's law. Academic freedom is a great concern for me. But, I believe that every freedom has a corresponding responsibility.
Academic freedom is no exception.
And the responsibility that it includes does influence it. Freedom is not absolute. Freedom is not license to say or do anything one wants. Within the academy, freedom is ordered to the truth and the path that leads to it. Academic freedom and academic responsibility will always exist in tension but a tension that I believe is creative and healthy.