Nearly eight years ago Monica Bulger, a University of California, Santa Barbara student, asked Harriet Burke, pastoral associate at St. Mark's University Parish in Goleta: "Why aren't there more things taught about Catholicism?" That conversation between Bulger and Burke led to meetings with UCSB administration and faculty and eventually with Santa Barbara Region Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry. After many years of planning and fundraising, an endowed chair in Catholic Studies has been created at UCSB within the Dept. of Religious Studies. The chair is named after Franciscan Father Virgil Cordano, a long-time member of the Santa Barbara community known for his work as a community leader, educator and in ecumenical affairs.

"We have an opportunity to help people understand what the church is really about from an educated viewpoint, especially about our spirituality and mysticism," said Father Cordano, 86, at a celebratory luncheon Aug. 31 at the bishop's residence.

The funds raised for the chair will exist in perpetuity, and the first incumbent for the chair is Professor Ann Taves, who recently taught at the Claremont School of Theology. Bishop Thomas Curry read from the mission statement of the endowment: "The mission of the Virgil Cordano, OFM Endowment in Catholic Studies is to foster exploration of the historical, cultural, and sociological backgrounds of Catholicism in order to promote mutual understanding among people of different beliefs and cultures."

Father Cordano, former pastor of Mission Santa Barbara who was named "Man of the Year" in 1989 by the City of Santa Barbara, said that education in Catholic Studies will rectify misunderstandings people have about the church.

What gets overlooked, added Father Cordano, who has taught at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, is "the God you experience in the Catholic Church - that's the heart of the matter. Our spirituality doesn't get enough publicity. We're known for being against abortion and other things, but very few understand Catholic spirituality."

Henry Yang, university chancellor, thanked Bishop Curry, Ann Taves and the Catholic community for its vision and generosity. Education in Catholic studies "will significantly enhance the coverage of the religious traditions of teaching and research of our religious studies department and campus," he said. "I want to thank Father Virgil for allowing us to honor him this way. He is respected by all people from different beliefs and cultures."