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The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Jesuit discloses letter criticizing Biondi

On July 4, 2010, I sent a letter to the Jesuit leadership of the Missouri Province of the Society of Jesus regarding my experience as a faculty member in SLU’s Department of History and as a Jesuit living in Jesuit Hall from fall 2001 to spring 2010. My disclosure at this time is to document that at least one member of the Society of Jesus raised concerns regarding Jesuit leadership at SLU several years before the current crisis erupted. It was done in confidence as not to create a scandal. Speaking truth to power now is not scandalous; it is healing as truth brings to light that which needs healing.

In the early part of my missive, I recounted the dismissal of Jesuit faculty and staff members during my time at SLU. The decision to dismiss fellow Jesuits was made by Jesuit leaders as well as university personnel. Regarding the departures of my fellow Jesuits, I stated, “The paramount issue regarding … [the dismissed individuals — names withheld] was that of ‘Due Process’ for Jesuits in hiring and firing …. This is a justice issue, and it is one that our lay colleagues would never be subjected to without the risk of legal action.”

Regarding the management of the University, I commented on the abolishment of the Office of the Graduate School and the resignation of a high ranking academic/administrative officer during the 2008-2010 timeframe. “These decisions and the manner in which they were carried out,” I noted, “have created an atmosphere of confusion and mistrust among the faculty toward the administration. This apparent whimsical behavior of the administration, especially that of the senior most members, has created uncertainty in the workplace. These presidential decisions point to a lack of shared governance within the University. Many of my former colleagues have commented that the University is run like a personal fiefdom and that it is governed by the political principles of Machiavelli. I would have to agree; most, even tenured faculty members, fear the administration.”

And then my letter became quite pointed, but respectful, concerning the president of SLU. “I do not know how to state this tactfully so I will just state it plainly,” I wrote. “As a person, Larry Biondi is a bully.  He intimidates, he threatens, he denigrates. He has not provided Jesuit leadership to the community. Matter-of-fact, he does not interact with the Jesuit faculty on a regular basis… it appears to be the case that he can be rude and insulting without being held accountable. And no one, not even a provincial, has been able to explain or justify why he lives in his own house, away from a Jesuit residence.”  I then suggested that perhaps, after 20 plus years in office, Fr. Biondi should retire.

It is quite painful to disclose this correspondence, but it is necessary if the Society of Jesus is to redeem itself. We, members of the Society of Jesus, run the risk of discrediting ourselves and all future Jesuit administrators if our lay collaborators do not know that they have been heard, that they are not alone, and that we understand what they have experienced over the years regarding the abuse of power. The only body that can hire or fire the president of Saint Louis University is the Board of Trustees. The only person who can appoint or remove the Director of a Jesuit apostolate, in this case SLU, is the Provincial of the Missouri Province. If the Jesuits are going to maintain any credibility in higher education, the leadership of the Society of Jesus needs to act. If it does not, we are witnessing the end of Jesuit-sponsored and Jesuit-led higher education. We will be left with nothing more than institutions that are but Jesuit in name only.

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