After plagiarism apology, influential priest resigns from Toronto college board – By Joseph Brean (National Post) / Feb 25 2019
Father Thomas Rosica has been one of the church’s key communicator to the country at large, especially on papal affairs like elections and visits
Father Thomas Rosica, the influential Vatican spokesman who admitted to serial plagiarism in his columns and essays, has resigned from the governing body of a college at the University of Toronto.
His position on the Collegium of the University of St. Michael’s College was one vehicle through which Rosica exerted a deep influence on Catholic public life in Canada.
Rosica has been one of the church’s key communicator to the country at large, especially on papal affairs like elections and visits, and recently helped the Vatican communicate to media at its summit on youth protection. He is also founding CEO of the religious television channel Salt and Light.
Neither the Vatican Dicastery for Communications nor Salt and Light have replied to invitations to comment on his admission to the National Post that he presented other people’s words as his own in various newspapers and publications, including the Salt and Light website and the Post itself.
He admitted this kind of behaviour is dishonest, and said in an interview that it was wrong, but in the absence of a fuller public explanation, he has been criticized on Twitter for appearing to blame interns and other subordinates who helped with his writing.
In a written statement to the Post last week, he said: “If there was an error on my part, it is that I have often relied on others who have generously helped me in my preparation of various texts and I did not do the necessary checking into sources, etc. I regret that. It was never willfully done.”
He said he failed to thoroughly review his writings and cite sources because of “urgent media requests.”
Rev. Donald McLeod, chair of the Collegium, said Rosica made “significant contributions” to the school, which has an undergraduate program and a graduate theology faculty.
“Over the weekend, I received and have respectfully accepted his resignation from the Collegium,” he said.
We embrace our brother despite this failing for which he has taken full responsibility
In a statement, Kevin Storey, Superior General of the Basilian Fathers, which founded the school, said: “Plagiarism of any kind is wrong. When it is committed knowingly it rises to the level of a moral offense. As a community of Catholic educators we condemn it, without qualification.”
“At the same time, we embrace our brother despite this failing for which he has taken full responsibility. With him, we apologize to those who have been offended by the misuse of their literary gifts,” he said.
The Jesuits of Canada also announced Monday they had withdrawn an invitation for Rosica ro receive their Magis Award at an upcoming gala.
“Plagiarism is a grave offense against intellectual honesty and the community of scholarship,” the congregation said in a statement.
