Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-14
PRIEST APPEALS
c. j. DISMISSAL BY
i RECTOR TO ROME
Or. John RoIbieCki Feels Ac-
ton Based on Criticism
Too Severe.
FRIENDS SAY DISPUTED
QUESTION NOW SETTLED
Popular Professor Carries Custer
y by Mgr, Ryan to Congregation
Of Studies, Highest Authority.

Rev. DR.. John Joseph Rolbiecki, for
merly assistant professor of philosophy
at the Catholic University of America,
has appealed to the Congregation OF
studies in Rome for a review of what
he believes was his unjustified dismissal
from the faculty by Right Rev. James
H. Ryan, rector Of the university, THIS
Summer.
one Of the most popular Of the
Younger members of the faculty, LIT
Rolbiech has at least the tacit support
of 4 considerable number of his fellow
professors, who believe that some re-
marks he made at an informal faculty
meeting, at which DR.. Ryan took
offense, were given an undue signin-
canoe in the rector's Interpretation and
did not justify dismissal.
Mgr. Ryan Refuses Comment.
Mar. Ryan today refused to make any
comment on the case. It Is being fol-
lowed, however, with considerable In
terest by the faculty, largely because
of widespread personal friendship Tor
DR.. RoIbieclxi, the question over which
the issue originally arose having been
resolved satisfactorily both to the fac
ulty and the rector.
The appeal to the Congregation OF
Studies, IL was learned at Catholic Uni
versity today, is not an unusual pro-
cedure, but IS o course open to any
member Of the faculty of Catholic
institution Of learning who believes
that he has been treated unjuStly. The
decision OF the congregation Is flnal, it
was explained, and in approximately
half the cases in the past it has gone
In favor of the appellant.
The whole question arose, It was
learned, over a matter of internal or
Ganization. There was no issue over
anything taught or any philosophical
views expressed by DR.. Rolbiecki, who
has maintained q conservative position
ia both his lectures and writings. He
Il. Il Is said. q brilliant teacher and q
careful student, whose training has
been primarily in the natural sciences
and who has held in his writings that
philosophy Is matter Of generalization
and coordination Of sciences. He re-
with thesis on the political philosophy
of Dante and has been engaged in
teaching ever since.
Internal Organization Changed.
The internal organization Of the uni
versity recently has undergone con-
siderable change, Mgr. Ryan seeking to
Ganization plan similar to that adopted
recently by other progressive American
universities. Formerly the university
was composed Of schools Of philosophy,
sciences and law, with certain rights
vested In the professors. Under the
new plan most of the subjects taught
IN the School of Sciences were re-
kIvup1d into School of Engineering,
while the School Of Philosophy, gather
ing In some sciences, was split into
two departments-the undergraduate
of Arts and Letters. Outside of this
arrangement WIS., left the School OF
Sacred Sciences and the School OF
Cannon Law, primarily for seminarians
but drawing upon the faculty OF the
graduate school.
It was In regard to the rights Of faculty
members In thsi rather complicated re-
arrangement that the difnculty arose
between Mgr. Ryan and DR.. Rolbiecki
the latter Of whom was q member OF
the faculty Of the graduate school, but
who taught one course in philosophy IN
the School Of Sacred Sciences.
The university has q constitution cal
culated to give the utmost freedom to
individual faculty members. each full
professor having q vote on admins
trative matters and presumably repre-
senting the position Of his department.
Actually, however, the vote never has
been restricted to professors, but has
been allowed assistant professors and
instructors. In the reorganization,
which in itself was generally approved,
some fear arose that the democratic
tradition might in some way suffer.
With the new organization plan well
under way, it was learned, everything
Fnn A.,
members have the same rights as be-
fore and as established for them by the
university constitution.
Dual Status Raises Question.
But ct q meeting in the period Of
some uncertainty as to just what the
result would be DR.. Rolbiecki raised
some questions growing out Of his dual
status as member Of the faculty of
the Graduate School and his connec-
3ion as a teacher with the School OF
Sacred Sciences. Apparently. 1t was
the phrasing of the remarks, rather
than the actual issue raised it is
learned, which led Mgr. Ryan to dis
miss the professor.
DR.. Rolbiecki himself was not at the
university today. He is said to be visit
ing in New England. There Is some
feeling at the university, IL was learned,
tnat Sucn DISMISSAL, unless Ior reasons
so grave that they leave no other alter
native. should have the most sympa-
thetic consideration, since ii works espe-
cial hardship on an ordained priest
who has devoted his life to the study Of
q highly specialized subject and who Is
practically restricted to teaching in a
church institution. He ordinarily would
fnd great dificulty In securing another
teaching position, and practically his
only recourse would be parish work
whereas he had been trained for the
teaching profession.
Faculty Members Loyal to Rector.
Faculty members are loath to talk Of
the situation, and those approached in
sisted that there was no question Of
their full loyalty to Mgr. Ryan, whom
they regard as among the most eminent
Of American educators The university
has generally preserved q very liberal
attitude on all economic and social
questions, Il ives emphasized, and such
an issue as the freedom Of teaching
never has arisen. This attitude has
been maintained by DR.. Ryan.