Teaching of the Holocaust as Part of a University’s Catholic Identity

Abstract

This article sketches the development of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA. It does so with broad strokes, which paint a picture of the program of the Center within the context of ecclesial and papal activities and documents. The article describes how the Center entered into dialogue with the academic world of Holocaust studies (especially with the International School for Holocaust Studies, Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel) and how it became engaged in an institute and in triennial conferences that prepare Catholic educators to teach the Holocaust by referencing Catholic documents on the Holocaust and on related topics such as antisemitism,1 racism, genocide, human rights, and interreligious dialogue. The work of the Holocaust Center has contributed to strengthening Seton Hill University’s Catholic identity.