Is the University of Navarra of the year 2000 the one envisioned by its Founder, Blessed Josemaría Escrivá?

He did not hesitate to answer in the affirmative. Blessed Josemaría promoted numerous initiatives throughout the world. And he imagined many others that have not yet come into being. They were the fruit of his apostolic zeal, of his enterprising, creative and optimistic spirit. He liked people with a constructive spirit, who do not just complain about problems but do their bit to solve them. But he never felt that he was the owner of these tasks, but rather a sower.

Blessed Josemaría often told us about his dreams for the University of Navarre: a place of serene study, of freedom, of living together, of service. I am sure that he would enjoy walking around the campus today, conversing with professors, employees and students, as happened to him many times at the beginning of this adventure. But above all I would enjoy seeing the University being reborn every day from the work, prayer and dreams of those who work there.

What should be the role of the university institution in today's society? Which features are permanent and which can and should be adapted to new social, economic and cultural circumstances?

The university should not only adapt itself to new circumstances, but should place itself, in the words that Blessed Josemaría used in another context, "at the very origin of the changes. This attitude of renewal also means treasuring our achievements and, of course, our undeniable values.

The University is a breeding ground for ideas and projects capable of generating social progress. In recent years new institutions dedicated to research have been born, and some have more resources and the advantage of specialization. But the University continues to be a favorable environment for the transmission of knowledge.

Vision of the whole, awareness of one's own mission statement of service, primacy of the individual, innovative spirit, serene administration of time: these are, among others, the traits that the University must preserve, in my opinion, in order to continue to be a protagonist of progress.

Scientific knowledge is growing so fast that researchers have to specialize in very specific areas, so much so that they run the risk of losing the big picture. Do you think it is possible to combine specialization with the deepest truths of man? Could you give a committee on this?

I think that it is not only possible but necessary; and I consider that, for a university professor, it is very important to maintain the overall vision: all work must help us to have a clear idea about ourselves and about the world, and to integrate these convictions into a coherent life project . In my opinion, teachers must transmit to students solidly acquired and doctrinally correct knowledge that helps them to discover the meaning of their own existence. It is not enough to teach how to produce, to perform, to win. What is really important is to learn to live rightly.

At the same time, I am not unaware that maintaining an overview of knowledge is a difficult task. There is little time and much to do. If I had to give a committee, although I would rather ask this of many professors, I would suggest encouraging broadmindedness: knowing how to give great books as gifts; following important current topics; conversing with sincere interest about the work and ideas of our colleagues; encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue; being docile to the truth, and humble of intelligence to rectify or restart as many times as necessary.

What do you expect from the research activity of the professors? What would you ask of the professors and researchers at the University of Navarra?

I would ask those who work at the University of Navarra to continue to investigate especially those questions that have broad social repercussions. A Christian researcher finds in his faith an incentive and a light to go deeper into the real problems of his time: the dignity of the person, human rights, respect for life, the demands of solidarity, the construction of peace and so many other issues that require a new conception of university research , always bearing in mind its mission statement service to mankind.

The Pope's insistence on the need to study how to resolve the public debt of Third World countries comes to mind. I think that a University like the University of Navarra has to discover and accept the challenges posed by this subject of questions, which are very complex and which demand a high level of specialized knowledge and a profound attention to the person.

The relationship between the university professor and the student has lost the solemnity of yesteryear. Now the relationship is closer and more fluid. Can this proximity contribute to sowing great ideals in the hearts of students? How to achieve the proximity to the student, so convenient in their training, without falling into an improper familiarity?

I think this is an interesting question that Blessed Josemaría Escrivá had in mind when this Alma Mater was taking its first steps. Here too we can see what is permanent and what is changing in the university with the passage of time. At the present time, academic life has overcome a certain rigidity and, at the same time, still preserves that courtesy that is not superficial but rather a sincere sample respect.

I believe that the coexistence of teachers and students should always be situated between these coordinates: friendship and respect. This climate facilitates an enriching dialogue for both parties, because both the teacher and the student have lessons to learn and ideals to share, beyond cultural or religious differences. At the same time, the most elementary logic leads the student to mature the idea that he is a disciple, that he should know how to listen.

The freedom of Chair that characterizes the task of the university professor could pose some conflict with the academic authorities. How to combine this freedom, typical of a liberal profession, with respect for the governing bodies of a university?

staff freedom must not conflict with the unity of purpose and coordination of tasks that characterize a university.

Obviously, professors who join a university faculty are familiar with the statement of core values, the history, spirit and style of that institution. At the University of Navarra, respect for others is one of those identity traits; it is a positive value that we try to foster, not simply tolerate. In this University there are no uniform, single-school approaches, not even in theological and philosophical matters. Within the doctrine of the faith and morals of the Church, each one can adopt the line of thought that seems most appropriate. There are many ways to arrive at the truth and no one should claim for himself the monopoly of reason.

In this context, it is understood that working at this University means sharing ideals, contributing together to carry out an exciting professional project , in an atmosphere of freedom and partnership. Then, on a day-to-day basis, decisions have to be made, some solutions have to be adopted and others discarded, choices have to be made among the different possibilities and opinions. These are normal processes, where human successes and mistakes, small or large, alternate every day.

I think it is important to be very realistic, to always save intentions, to put in front what unites and not what separates, and to avoid introducing barriers in the attention. Earlier we spoke of the friendship and respect that should govern the relationship between teachers and students. For many more reasons, friendship and respect are fundamental characteristics of the relationship between teachers and administrators.

On the other hand, what criteria should be followed by those who occupy managerial positions, so as not to encroach on the legitimate freedom of professors? What principles should inspire the governance of a university at different levels?

The founder of the University of Navarra insisted that to govern is to serve. And that is the spirit that we have tried to follow in this academic community since its beginnings. I would like to take the opportunity of mentioning this topic to express my gratitude to all the people who over the years have carried out some kind of governance task in the University, in the Schools, in the Departments. In many cases, for a professor or researcher, to occupy a managerial position implies a staff sacrifice. Because this new task usually leads him/her to cut back on the research and teaching work that usually occupies him/her and towards which he/she is vocationally oriented. I think it is only fair to value with gratitude this dedication, which everyone willingly provides, with a service mentality,

At the same time, in order to carry out the function of leadership with professionalism and a Christian sense, an apprenticeship is also required. I had the good fortune to listen personally to Blessed Josemaria's very varied considerations on prudence in government. I can say that he never omitted the reference letter to two qualities: collegiality and trust. If it is never one person alone who decides, if no one tries to impose his or her own particular criteria, a climate of mutual trust is naturally created that allows us to work effectively, and which no small conflict can tarnish.

With what attitude should students face their university years? What should be their main concerns during the degree program?

While I understand the meaning of your question, and if I may observe, I think that it is not possible to determine the concerns that students should have, nor to point out the attitude that they should embody. Each student is different. Each one is a world, with his staff history, his personality, his talents, his interests and his concerns. In any case, we could say that the common characteristic of the student is that he is fully dedicated to training. He is getting ready, about to set sail on a voyage and knows that it is his turn to take the helm.

The University of Navarra wants to be a suitable place for those years of great decisions, where each one shapes his or her life project . Students are invited to ask themselves radical questions; they are offered a context that can serve as a guide; it is proposed that they direct their gaze to Jesus Christ - the Way, the Truth and the Life - the only one capable of fulfilling our deepest longings. But, I insist, it is a matter of inviting, offering, orienting, proposing. Then, each one decides freely, and each one is the manager of his decisions and of his future, which are good and useful if they conform to the Truth.

How can alumni help the University of Navarra?

It is not easy to summarize in a few words the richness of the relationship between graduates and the University, its professors, its employees and all those who work here. I think there are two sides to this relationship: graduates and the University can help each other.

In the final, the fundamental idea is that the University keeps its doors open to graduates: they are always welcome, because in some way they are still part of this corporation. Their ideas and suggestions, their partnership in teaching or research activities, their financial aid are always appreciated.

We return to what I mentioned before: this University was born out of professional and apostolic yearnings, and has taken the form of a common project , open to all: students, graduates, friends. Everyone can collaborate if they share these Christian ideals of university service to society. Of course, those who have passed through the classrooms of the University are in the best position to understand this proposal, and to find a thousand ways to cooperate; to join, final, in this project.

How can the University contribute to the radiance of the Christian spirit in society? And specifically, how can the University of Navarra collaborate in the new evangelization of Europe promoted by the Pope?

The recent encyclical Fides et ratio attributes a prominent role in the secularization of the West to the erroneous separation between faith and culture. Where there has been a fracture, reconciliation must take place. And this University, like many others in which faith and the human sciences are cultivated, can be a good forum for relaunching this dialogue between faith and culture, and for promote a science and culture enlivened by faith.

The great issues that concern contemporary man are often posed in the form of questions. And among those who turn away from God, many do so because they find no one to understand their questions and help them find the answers. This is the case with many questions: the limits of scientific progress, the nature of marriage and the family, the rational foundations of morality, the causes and remedies for poverty, etc. We must dare to confront the necessary relationship between faith and culture, on the basis of a deep scientific preparation and the attitudes that all dialogue requires: respect for the other, the ability to communicate, the desire to improve.

Without forgetting that the most important thing is that professors and students strive to walk personally close to Christ and give their university life an intense Christian sense. Because evangelization is also carried out through the language of works and one of the most convincing arguments is the testimony of one's own conduct. For this reason, the apostolic responsibility that the Church entrusts to us does not translate into an overwhelming burden. We are not asked to do the impossible: what is required of us is authenticity, unity between faith, thought and life. And in this the University has much to contribute in its daily work.

The weeks I spent at the Clinic a few years ago come to mind. Those days - unforgettable for me, for many reasons - when I was the recipient of the attention and care of doctors, nurses and employees. Through many silent gestures, and also words of affection, I understood more deeply the attraction of a professional service carried out with care and for the love of God. Those who have contemplated the University from the windows of a room in the Clinic see it differently and understand it better. It is worth learning this lesson, which I have also observed in other Departments of the University.

Should the Christian faith permeate the content of subjects, even those that are more experimental and practical? Wouldn't that be a lack of respect for the freedom of the student?

At the very origin of this University is the desire to carry out a profound professional task, with the light of the Truth that has been given to us: Jesus Christ. Therein lies the reason for its existence, and the meaning of its present and future.

Faith is given to us so that it is rooted in the depths of our intelligence and heart. It is a gift of God and a great richness that permeates our whole life. A Christian exercises his faith when he goes to Mass and when he is with his family; when he studies, when he writes and when he prays. Faith is not something false, to be taken off and put on, or to be used according to one's own misunderstood convenience.

A teacher in class is not only a wise man, but also a believer, if he has received the gift of faith, which radically transforms what we possess and what we are. Faith is intensely human. For this reason, its testimony - which sample always respectful, by its very nature - does not condition the student. On the contrary, as a manifestation of coherence, it always constitutes a seed of freedom.

A few weeks ago, John Paul II inaugurated the Jubilee of 2000 in Rome. How can the Jubilee be lived in the University and from the University?

There would be so much to say! But let me sum it all up in one word: conversion. The whole preparation for the Jubilee has been a journey of conversion, with God's grace. And this change consists above all in a new meeting with Jesus Christ. To discover him every day, to decide to learn all that he has come to reveal to us, to place him at the center of our soul. We must not let the many cares and sufferings of life separate us from him, but on the contrary, let everything lead us to Jesus Christ. This is the invitation that the Holy Father has been making to every Christian and to all men and women of good will who seek, who wish to find the profound meaning of their existence.

After all, the conversion, the metanoia, the change to which the Jubilee invites us is nothing more and nothing less than putting aside our own spirit and daring to live according to the spirit of Jesus Christ, who recreates in us a new life: the life of the children of God. I have seen my predecessors in the office of Chancellor, Blessed Josemaría Escrivá and Bishop Álvaro del Portillo, assume this disposition on a daily basis, as I recall with immense joy..