American Priest: The Ambitious Life and Conflicted Legacy of Notre Dame's Father Ted Hesburgh

by Wilson D. Miscamble C.S.C.

A provocative new biography probes deeply into the storied life of Father Ted Hesburgh, the well-loved but often controversial president of Notre Dame University.   Considered for many decades to be the most influential priest in America, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, played what many consider pivotal roles in higher education, the Catholic Church, and national and international affairs. American Priest examines his life and his many and varied engagements—from the university he led for thirty-five years to his associations with the Vatican and the White House—and evaluates the extent and importance of his legacy.   Author and Notre Dame priest-professor Wilson D. Miscamble tracks how Hesburgh transformed Catholic higher education in the postwar era and explores how he became a much-celebrated voice in America at large. Yet, beyond the hagiography that often surrounds Hesburgh’s legacy lies another more complex and challenging story. What exactly were his contributions to higher learning; what was his involvement in the civil rights movement; and what was the nature of his role as advisor to popes and presidents?   Understanding Hesburgh’s life and work illuminates the journey that the Catholic Church traversed over the second half of the twentieth century. Exploring and evaluating Hesburgh’s importance, then, contributes not only to the colorful history of Notre Dame but also to comprehending the American Catholic experience.  Praise for American Priest“An excellent, engaging biography . . . [Miscamble] deftly captures the ‘whole Hesburgh’ in a fair and thorough portrait.” —Catholic Philly   “Excellent . . . the story that Father Miscamble tells is an all-American story—the rise of a Catholic of relatively modest background, close to his immigrant roots, to a place of prominence among the nation’s elite.” —Public Discourse

Genres: Biography, Christianity, American History, Catholic

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2019

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book in my opinion. I knew nothing about the former famous president of the University of Notre Dame, an individual who's reference point I knew from the movie 1993 Rudy. Father Theodore Hesburgh left a legacy seen as conflicted and both progressive towards bringing Notre Dame into the modern era.

The biography follows his upbringing, his early life, his early life in the church, becoming a priest, going to the Vatican and finally coming back to the University of Notre Dame. His particular outlook on higher education and young people gave him leverage & popularity as he moved up through the ranks to eventually become the president of the college. Father Ted transformed Notre Dame into a nationally recognized institution, and his work as a public servant and civil rights advocate who advised presidents and helped shape policies. His impact includes making Notre Dame coeducational, fostering scientific research, and demonstrating servant leadership, while he consistently insisted that his greatest aspiration was to be a priest. 

However, his actions were considered controversial with regards to Catholicism, Catholic identity in the world, and how he was able to enmesh and to create the modern version & outward appearance of what we see for Notre Dame today.

One of the first things he did once he became president, Father Hesburgh proclamated the 1967 Land O'Lakes statement, where he urged for autonomy between the Catholic University and the church hierarchy to pursue higher academic freedom. This move was considered unpopular by both the Vatican and Conservative Catholics at the time, as they had seen the university's identity first and foremost should be catholicism.

Father Ted Hesburgh created more tension when he created the 15-minute rule in 1969 which threatened expulsion for student protesters who disrupted University function or blocked access to school buildings. Though this tough stance was praised by some, including President Nixon, but criticized by others who felt it was a rigid response to students making a moral point through non violent action.

Father Hesburgh served on numerous presidential commissions, including the US Commission on Civil Rights, where he tangled with the Nixon administration over civil rights enforcement, eventually leading to his resignation as chairman, while widely respected for his civil rights work, his deep involvement in elite political circles and his alignment with liberal establishment views drew criticism from those who felt it compromised his role as a Catholic priest.

Overall this was a very interesting book on Catholicism, University of Notre Dame, and higher education and civil turmoil in American 20th century. I would recommend this to anyone interested in this unique subject. Thanks!

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of Father Hesburgh. Although his life and incredible achievements present a "conflicted legacy" in the words of Miscamble (which is debatable), one thing is perfectly clear and beyond debate: Until the day of his death at almost 98, Hesburgh remained above all a priest and possessed all the qualities that an outstanding priest should have.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

While enlightening, "American Priest" reads more like an annotated resume of Fr. Ted Hesburgh than a critical analysis of Hesburgh's life, spirituality, and accomplishments. Focused on three distinct sections: before Notre Dame, the presidential era of Notre Dame, and post-Notre Dame, by the end, I know a lot about Notre Dame University, but I still do not feel like I have a full grasp of Fr. Ted, the priest. Much of his priesthood as a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross is left behind him, which is in equal parts a statement on Hesburgh, but also the focus on the narrative. Perhaps I entered into Miscamble's work with the wrong lens, and that is my own fault, but I was glad to be done with the text by the end.

What "American Priest" did do, however, is make me wish I applied to Notre Dame when I had the chance. Oh well. I guess I'll watch "Rudy" instead.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and interesting book on Father Hesburgh, specifically focusing on his time as the president of Notre Dame. Would be 4 1/2 stars if Goodreads let me give 1/2 stars. Father Hesburgh comes across as a good and decent man who lost himself in his mission. I give him a great deal of credit for his achievements but I do not think that he would be happy to see that the modern university is no longer a place that is open to the free discussion of ideas and listening to points of view that you do necessarily agree.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings light not only to a beautiful life but also to the very history of the Catholic Church and Catholic Education in the last century. Father Theodore Hesburgh's exemplary life is a testament to what is good in the church. I found his story quite compelling. I think what I really appreciated most was the was that the author included what was happening in society as a whole, in America and the world, in setting the scene. I am so grateful to have read this biography.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

[Daniel Hackenjos · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read. As indicated by the title, this book gives an incredibly objective look at the life of Fr. Hesburgh. It also helps readers to understand the many many changes that have happened in Catholic higher education in the last sixty years, with a specific focus on the Catholic identity of Catholic universities in America. I would highly recommend this for all who are interested in American-Catholic history.

[Elinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing, thorough, and fair look at the life of a complex, influential, and frequently controversial priest.

[Conor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent biography of a very significant American figure.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long and wordy with immense detail to time and placements bio with some nice and adequate photos. I learned way more about Notre Dame University than I did about Hesburgh as a person, as a priest, as a spiritual model or as a core Catholic intelligent. All of those were drawn and opinion at times voiced but it never crossed the bridges of his younger self to the whys or where the ambition and the concept Hesburgh "definition" of the Catholic nearly secularization of higher learning called CATHOLIC came from.

Yes, he was an immense compromiser. But also with even more immense pomposity and display actions of highest monetary associations attached for any hours not spent in solitary. He lead a healthy and long life, IMHO. But instead of making the college what he could have- he made it beautiful, commercial, and VERY insular to components instead. More in the spirit of advancements and association to success rather than to any religious or spiritual motives. Reading this, never posited for me the "why" of that. Except that he could, and that when he left the head post, could not really let go of wanting that "popularity" kudos.

He never even liked sports or football. Ironic. He loved fishing and was, IMHO, much more a solitary self-contained individual at core.

My two sons have shirts with very bad language re Notre Dame. Several reasons why they feel that way well into middle life too and yet it was well earned, IMHO. I went to dances there in my high school youth that were memorable. And the snobby exchanges were exactly the same when I went there for a Catholic administration meeting there 40 years later. So he had to have implanted and stamped that "special" and "exclusivity" right in there for the long run. Their legacy sorted admissions and their reflections of Catholic belief and strictures of the 10 commandments are neither Catholic nor optimal. Before 2000 and now. Both.

This was read for several aspects of questions I had about Notre Dame itself. Only a few were answered and less about Hesburgh after decades of Presidency there than I would have liked motivations depth to understand. Not only which big wigs he met and influenced either.

The author merely talked around some of the most important issues re Notre Dame too. I doubt if even Father Hesburgh would feel comfortable about how discussion is appropriated at Notre Dame in this century. He was ALWAYS open to ideas, free speech and absolute voicing of numerous opinions as more than optimal, as necessary. That is not observable at Notre Dame today. Not at all.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough presentation of the life of the legendary Father Theodore Hesburgh, CSC. Father Bill Miscamble, CSC certainly was able to communicate the greatness of Father Ted for the reader but does not shy away from bringing up controversial aspects of Fr. Ted's decisions in regards to the University of Notre Dame and his political activity. Ultimately, history will be the judge of whether Fr. Hesburgh's efforts to make Notre Dame a great Catholic university were truly visionary or just the first steps towards secularization.

Let us pray that 100 years from now Our Lady will still crown the top of the golden dome, looking at the outstretched arms of the Son she bore, Jesus Christ. May Notre Dame, both the Our Lady and the university, continue to guide students towards the real meaning of life Who is a person... Jesus Christ.

[Jim Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written account of the man who lead Notre Dame University for 25 years. Father Hesburgh was well thought of and had about as much influence on public policy as politicians. More liberal on social issues than I am, he lead an incredibly interesting life, guiding the university that he loved into the modern age. Pretty good book. I'm glad I read it. Thanks to my brother for giving it to me.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing amount of energy and self-assurance provided many opportunities to navigate a complex world while taking ND to the next level. Not everyone pleased with his accomplishments as can be expected.

[Will Dunfey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting indeed! A critical biography of Father Hesburgh by a fellow CSC priest whose theological and political views are at variance with his subject's...

[Bernie Buescher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for the biography of Father Hesburgh, but the the author inserts his personal philosophy and theology to an excessive amount.

[John Heid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, and not just because Bill Miscamble is my old professor and mentor. A brilliant study of how Hesburgh influenced and was influenced by post-conciliar Catholicism, and how that impacted the university he led.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Jesus Christ himself came back and did half of what Ted Hesburgh did in his lifetime, the author would still complain the both of them didn’t do enough to stop abortion, which is ultimately the most frustrating result of this book.

The first half of the book is excellent, and the second half undoes most of it by exposing more about the author than about the subject. Miscamble had a truly unique perspective and probably more access than most to tell a story, but he can’t get out of his own way or agenda to tell it.

[Jerrod Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew little of the man who ran over of the most influential universities in my state and in the country. I found this book a good treatment of a complex man who navigated a complicated world and worked far beyond the confines of his university appointment. I have a lot of respect for the work he did.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, balanced portrait of Fr. Hesburgh