More On Notre Dame

[Brother Adam]

[quote]Notre Dame President Defends Obama Invitation
Rev. John Jenkins argues that only Catholics are bound by the rules of Catholics in political life, not Protestants like President Obama.


SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The University of Notre Dame's selection of President Barack Obama as its commencement speaker follows the "letter and spirit" of a statement passed by U.S. bishops in 2004 and cited frequently by critics as a reason Obama should not have been invited, the school's president says.

In a letter to trustees, the Rev. John Jenkins said university officials believe the statement, known as "Catholics in Political Life," refers specifically to honoring Catholics whose actions are not in accord with the church's moral principles. Obama is Protestant.

[b]"This interpretation was supported by canon lawyers we consulted, who advised us that, by definition, only Catholics who implicitly recognize the authority of Church teaching can act in 'defiance' of it,"[/b] Jenkins wrote in the letter last week. "Moreover, fellow university presidents have told me that their bishops have told them that in fact it is only Catholic politicians who are referred to in this document."[/quote]


Thank you for letting us know, Father Jenkins, that you do not implicitly accept the authority of Church teaching, because you are clearly in violation of it. Even my elementary students recognize that. You are grasping at straws here and your logic would be eaten alive by even the PM debate boards.

Edited April 14, 2009 by Brother Adam

[StColette]

Stupid head!

[CatherineM]

Although technically they may be right that Obama isn't being defiant, my main issue is with the President of Notre Dame, who is supposedly Catholic and therefore can be in defiance. Lawyers can give you just about any answer to support your position. That's what he's doing, trying to find someone on his side.

[Sojourner]

Do you have a link to the full story? Just curious.

Obama is, of course, acting not only in violation of Catholic teaching but also of natural law. While you could argue that Obama would not be bound by certain Catholic obligations, moral teachings on abortion are not among those.

[StColette]

[quote name='Terra Firma' post='1835204' date='Apr 14 2009, 12:28 PM']Do you have a link to the full story? Just curious.[/quote]

[url="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-in-obama-notredame,0,3780525.story"]http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-...0,3780525.story[/url]

[thessalonian]

Sure we can excuse oboma for being ignorant. Why should we honor ignorance however, at a university no less. What excuse does Jenkins have is my question.

Edited April 14, 2009 by thessalonian

[MIKolbe]

so by his statement, Pelosi would not be able to speak, but obama can?? seems like gilding the lilly to me...

[Brother Adam]

Sorry, I thought I had added the link.

[Brother Adam]

What our bishops are saying to Fr. Jenkins:

“Indeed, as a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself, if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth… Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.”
Most Rev. John D’Arcy – Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

[b]“So whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation, and didn't anticipate the kind of uproar that would be consequent to the decision, at least not to the extent that it has happened.”
Most Rev. Francis Cardinal George – Archbishop of Chicago and USCCB President[/b]

“I find the invitation very disappointing. . . Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a ‘Teacher,’ in this case of the Law. I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.”
Most Rev. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo – Archbishop of Galveston - Houston

“[Fr. Jenkins, I] regret that [Bishop D’Arcy] must bear this personal affront from a university which he has so consistently and ardently supported this last quarter century.”
Most Rev. Edwin O’Brien – Archbishop of Baltimore

[b]“They made a big mistake.”
Most Rev. Timothy Dolan – Archbishop of New York[/b]

"It is a travesty that the University of Notre Dame, considered by many to be a Catholic University, should give its public support to such an anti-Catholic politician. I hope that you [Fr. Jenkins] are able to reconsider this decision. If not, please do not expect me to support your University in the future.”
Most Rev. John Nienstedt – Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

“President Obama, by word and action, has approved of abortion and other atrocities against human life. Therefore he deserves no recognition at a Catholic institution.”
Most Rev. Eusebius Beltran – Archbishop of Oklahoma City

“It pained me to hear that one of the symbols of Catholic education in our nation, Notre Dame University, had extended an invitation to President Obama to speak at its commencement.”
Most Rev. John Myers – Archbishop of Newark

“The University of Notre Dame used to be the flagship Catholic university of the United States. I regret that we are not experiencing that leadership and integrity.”
Most Rev. Alfred Hughes – Archbishop of New Orleans

“The unfortunate message sent to the nation by the university’s invitation to President Barack Obama to speak at their graduation ceremony is compounded by their decision to provide him an honorary law degree.”
Most Rev. José Gomez and Most Rev. Oscar Cantú – Archbishop and Aux. Bishop of San Antonio

“You dishonor the reputation of the University of Notre Dame and, in effect, abdicate your prestigious reputation among Catholic universities everywhere.”
Most Rev. Daniel Buechlein – Archbishop of Indianapolis

“Given her Catholic identity, the University of Notre Dame’s receiving the President as the 2009 commencement speaker and her bestowing on him an honorary doctorate are truly shameful, a scandal to the Church and a major blow to hundreds of thousands who have sacrificed to bring forth a culture of life in our midst.”
Most Rev. Joseph Martino and Most Rev. John Dougherty – Bishop and Aux. Bishop of Scranton

“I would ask that you rescind this unfortunate decision and so avoid dishonoring the practicing Catholics of the United States, including those of this Diocese. Failing that, please have the decency to change the name of the University to something like, ‘The Fighting Irish College’ or ‘Northwestern Indiana Humanist University.’”
Most Rev. Thomas Doran – Bishop of Rockford

[b]“It is a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States.”
Most Rev. Thomas Olmsted – Bishop of Phoenix[/b]

“I support Bishop Thomas Olmsted's public stance on this matter, in calling this situation ‘a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States.’”
Most Rev. Robert Baker – Bishop of Birmingham

“In my opinion, it is very clear that in this case the University of Notre Dame does not live up to its Catholic identity in giving this award and their leadership needs our prayerful support.”
Most Rev. Gregory Aymond – Bishop of Austin

“It is a very prestigious platform to offer a President who is leading the battle for an expansion of abortion rights which may ultimately end up being unparalleled in recent history.”
Most Rev. Robert Lynch – Bishop of St. Petersburg

“For President Obama to be honored by Notre Dame is more than a disappointment, it is a scandal – especially to young adults. His being honored by Notre Dame will make it easier for a woman who contemplates abortion to actually submit herself to this cruel and deadly procedure.”
Most Rev. Edward Slattery – Bishop of Tulsa

“Catholic institutions of higher learning must always be places where the Catholic values we hold so dearly will always be supported and promoted – not where the culture of death is allowed to be honored or valued.”
Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless – Bishop of Sioux City

“It is disheartening and distressing when an institution that is regarded as Catholic, such as Notre Dame, fails to follow the guidelines set forth by the Bishops of the Catholic Church, especially in these vital moral matters.”
Dr. Paul Schenck on behalf of Most Rev. Kevin Rhoades – Bishop of Harrisburg

“Notre Dame extended this invitation unilaterally, seemingly without regard for the consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is contrary to the efforts of bishops, parish priests, and laity to resist the anti-life decisions, policies, and legislation promoted by the Obama administration.”
Most Rev. William Lori – Bishop of Bridgeport

“Mr. Obama’s policies … have demonstrated that he does not believe that the life of the unborn is very important. As a result, I cannot but be deeply disturbed by the decision made by the president and board of Notre Dame.”
Most Rev. George Murry – Bishop of Youngstown

“Many people, including myself, who consider the University of Notre Dame the prestigious Catholic university in the United States, are most upset that the university has extended an invitation to President Obama to give its commencement address and receive an honorary degree.”
Most Rev. William Higi – Bishop of Lafayette

[b]“I, along with other bishops throughout the country, fully support Bishop D’Arcy in this matter.”
Most Rev. Anthony Taylor – Bishop of Little Rock[/b]

“The decision of the President of Notre Dame to ignore the Bishops and to give both a platform and an honor to President Obama is indefensible. And so I raise my voice along with many of my brother Bishops, as well as the faithful who have been deeply scandalized.”
Most Rev. Jerome Listecki – Bishop of La Crosse

“…it is unconscionable to me that a Catholic university would bestow such an honor upon an individual who is so completely out of step with the Catholic Church’s teaching on the need to protect innocent human life in its most vulnerable forms, even if that individual holds the highest office in the land.”
Most Rev. Alexander Sample – Bishop of Marquette

“[Fr. Jenkins,] Your actions and that of the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame do real harm to the mission of Catholic education in this country and further splinters Catholic witness in the public square.”
Most Rev. Samuel Aquila – Bishop of Fargo

[b]“[Fr. Jenkins,] I can assure you of my prayers for your conversion, and for the conversion of your formerly Catholic University.”
Most. Rev. Fabian Bruskewitz – Bishop of Lincoln[/b]

“It seems that the University of Notre Dame has abandoned its Catholic identity in this matter. I feel that it is embarrassing and shameful.”
Most Rev. Richard Stika – Bishop of Knoxville

“If Notre Dame does not alter its present course, it will be difficult for me to offer support for the University on any level.”
Most Rev. Gerald Barbarito – Bishop of Palm Beach

[eagle_eye222001]

Glad to see shots being fired at Notre Dame.

Even if Notre Dame goes through with this....which they most likely will.......they will be remembered for it and I don't think it will be easily shaken.

----------------
Now playing: [url="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/creed/track/wash+away+those+years"]Creed - Wash Away Those Years[/url]
via [url="http://www.foxytunes.com/signatunes/"]FoxyTunes[/url]

[Brother Adam]

To see the bishops react as they are reduces the scandal to Catholics. An appropriate next step is to strip Notre Dame of its Catholic title and thus, Catholic funding, and recall the religious order that runs the school.

[WillT]

[quote name='Brother Adam' post='1838569' date='Apr 17 2009, 12:25 PM']What our bishops are saying to Fr. Jenkins

“It seems that the University of Notre Dame has abandoned its Catholic identity in this matter. I feel that it is embarrassing and shameful.”
Most Rev. Richard Stika – Bishop of Knoxville[/quote]
Glad to see our new Bishop speaking out!



I may have to write him a thank-you letter.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

Remember that this is an act of a small portion of the administration. Not even all the VPs were involved. There are a lot of orthodox people at Notre Dame doing great work and this is a source of great disappointment and embarrassment. Be careful not to throw the whole university under the bus, things aren't always as they seem in the media.

[Brother Adam]

Which is why it is important that so many of those 300,000 signatures come from students, alumni, and staff. It needs to get serious enough so that the powers that be realize the decision was a terrible mistake and rescind the offer. It sounds like the only thing they will listen to though is the $ sign reading Fr. Jenkins responses. There have been some outstanding responses from professors at the school who completely oppose what the university is doing.

Edited April 17, 2009 by Brother Adam

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

I'm afraid that rescinding the invitation will be an embarrassment in the mainstream media that the university will not want to take. I think the only hope (and I think it's very possible) is that Obama pulls out because of the charged situation. The protests if he does come will be embarrassing for him and the university. He's the president, I'm sure there's a hundred things he can schedule instead anyway.