May 24, 2007

PASCAL'S SCHOLARSHIP:

Atheist Wilson Gives $22.5 Million for Catholic Fund (Patrick Cole, 5/24/07, Bloomberg)

Philanthropist and retired hedge-fund manager Robert W. Wilson said he is giving $22.5 million to the Archdiocese of New York to fund a scholarship program for needy inner-city students attending Roman Catholic schools.

Wilson, 80, said in a phone interview today that although he is an atheist, he has no problem donating money to a fund linked to Catholic schools.

``Let's face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,'' Wilson said. ``Shunning religious organizations would be abhorrent. Keep in mind, I'm helping to pay tuition. The money isn't going directly to the schools.''

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 24, 2007 7:25 AM
Comments

``Let's face it, without the Roman Catholic Church, there would be no Western civilization,'' Wilson said.

Sounds like Wilson read Norman Cantor's "The Civilization of the Middle Ages" in addition to observing contemporary Catholic schools.

Posted by: Ed Bush at May 24, 2007 9:49 AM

Nice title.

Posted by: Jim in Chicago at May 24, 2007 1:42 PM
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