God Country Notre Dame

I have traveled far and wide far beyond the simple parish I envisioned as a young man. My obligation of service has led me into diverse yet interrelated roles: college teacher theologian president of a great university counselor to four popes and six presidents. Excuse the list but once called to public service I have held fourteen presidential appointments over the years dealing with the social issues of our times including civil rights peaceful uses of atomic energy campus unrest amnesty for Vietnam offenders Third World development and immigration reform. But deep beneath it all wherever I have been whatever I have done I have always and everywhere considered myself essentially a priest. -from the Preface