03/03/2014
„University of Leuven regrets conflict about freedom of religion”
Author: Fernando Pauwels
Date: 1st of March 2014
Purpose: Personal communication to third parties concerning our mutual declaration and agreement
Introduction
This last year and a half have been a remarkable period for our family in which „change” seemed to be the central theme. We moved back to the city of Antwerp, our third child was born, we submitted our application in order to adopt an orphaned boy from Iraq and we started our own corporate film production company (www.motioninsync.be).
However the most unexpected change was the fact that I was fired at the Catholic University of Leuven end of 2012. The newspaper ‚De Standaard’ stated that „I was too much of a christian for the Catholic University of Leuven”. The judicial procedure I started because of my dismissal now comes to an end. Rik Torfs as Rector of the KU Leuven and myself have come to an agreement where we leave our differences behind in this joint declaration.
Overview
What exactly happened? About 10 years ago, I became a follower of Jesus Christ, as most people who knew me within the university circles from that time know. I have never kept it a secret nor have I tried to hide it. It was very awkward to see that my personal religious conviction became a subject of controversy, after working at HIVA - Catholic University of Leuven for almost 12 years.
I can understand how a christian belief that there is a living God who can intervene in the here and now, can be hard to understand for some. However, no one has to agree with my religious beliefs, but in a free state where there is the right of freedom of speech and the right of freedom of religion, those rights cannot be violated as such. In our joint declaration between Rik Torfs and myself, we want to affirm that fundamental principle together.
Joint declaration
Rik Torfs, rector of KU Leuven, and Fernando Pauwels, research associate at KU Leuven from 16 January 2001 to 4 October 2012, have decided to settle the judicial proceedings between Fernando Pauwels and the university. They both express regret that a conflict arose between them.
Rector Rik Torfs and Fernando Pauwels share the belief that freedom of expression and freedom of religion are fundamental rights that must be respected, especially within a university community. Staff members of KU Leuven have the right to freely pursue and practice their personal beliefs and to communicate those beliefs in accordance with Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and in a way that respects other beliefs. The quality of a civilization, a society, a university depends on the degree to which it is prepared to safeguard freedom.
Rector Torfs emphasises that Fernando is a deserving and committed researcher who contributed to the development of new and promising lines of research during his stay at the Research Institute for Work and Society (HIVA). He wishes to thank him for those contributions.
Reflection
I greatly rejoice that Rector Torfs regrets the way in which my dismissal was handled and confirms that my scientific credibility is not questioned. The rehabilitation he thus provides me, is of immeasurable value. I also rejoice in the fact that born-again christians, besides people of other religious convictions, are welcome at the University of Leuven to express their beliefs.
With few exceptions, Rik Torfs, in those days still in capacity of senator and professor at the University of Leuven, was about the only intellectual who publicly voiced his outrage at the violation of a constitutional right. My dismissal created some controversy here and there but soon the dust settled without much public outcry. In contrast to the resignation of Barbara Van Dyck, which has given rise to a broad public debate and ultimately to her recruitment back at the University of Leuven, not much public debate took place after my resignation.
The same scientists who in the name of critical science exploration and freedom of religion backed the case of Barbara Van Dyck, have perhaps expressed their indignation in their own departments behind closed walls. But the silence on the public forums that followed, seems to be an illustration of the state of our current secularised society which does not know how to handle expressions of deeply felt religious convictions anymore.
Why was there no public debate? Is it because we as a secular, post-Catholic society can no longer handle expressions of true faith? Or is it because we have lost touch with fundamental rights like the freedom of religion because of the trend of our profound secularisation? Or is it because expressions of faith that have sprouted from Protestantism are still frowned upon in post-Catholic Belgium?
Whatever the answer may be, I hope that the fundamental rights, the rights to religious freedom can be safeguarded in our country and that in the future no one should go through what we went through as a family.
In closing
Finally in closing, a brief reflection that illustrates how I have experienced this period. Early on in my christian life, I have learned that following the person of Jesus Christ is an invitation to give up our ‚rights’ in this world on personal revenge, bitterness, hatred, jealousy, etc. and to choose to walk on the higher road that Jesus showed we could walk on. He has revealed to us the intrinsic value of human beings, even of those who want to do us harm. Before the time of Jesus, the ruling principle was „an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. But Jesus shows us a higher way, where He teaches us to be prepared to forgive, to turn the other check to those who offend us, pray for those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.
The day after my dismissal I wrote a letter to the people involved, sincerely wishing them the best, telling them that I choose to forgive and not be bitter or resentful. It is my belief that this attitude makes the world a better place. I hope we can all be encouraged and inspired to forgive quickly.
Rik Torfs, rector van de KU Leuven, en Fernando Pauwels, van 16 januari 2001 tot 4 oktober 2012 wetenschappelijk medewerker aan de KU Leuven, hebben beslist de juridische procedures te beëindigen die naar aanleiding van diens ontslag liepen tussen Fernando Pauwels en de universiteit. Ze betreuren da...
