Posted on 04/04/2009 5:31:31 AM PDT by tcg
Dear Father Jenkins:
Since you assumed the Presidency of the University of Notre Dame I have talked to scores of alumni and supporters who were heartened over your publically expressed intention to strengthen Notre Dame’s Catholic identity. Admittedly, the hopes of many were somewhat diminished by your early failure to accomplish an outright ban on the notorious play The Vagina Monologues, and the perpetuation of formal gay and lesbian activities on campus. Nevertheless the hope of recovery continued, perhaps because having Notre Dame as an academic bulwark of the Church was seen as critical in the challenging political and economic climate we are now in.
With your announcement of the selection of President Obama as the Commencement speaker there can be no longer any basis for hope. This was not a decision in which issues of “academic freedom” or other perceived faculty rights might limit your freedom of action. It was a freely taken choice to embrace the world; to join with the political power even while that power was rapidly and comprehensively undermining the moral principles most sacred to the Church. By honoring President Obama, Notre Dame is effectively depriving the Catholic bishops of a united front to oppose the assault on life; and weakening the intellectual case for the protection of the unborn.
Unlike Mario Cuomo, President Obama is not “personally opposed to abortion, but...” His record as an Illinois legislator and as a U.S. Senator has justly gained him the reputation as the most pro-abortion politician in the nation. He would not even allow protection to infants born alive in botched abortions, and has opposed any limits even on partial birth abortion. Yet you choose to honor him....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
Much like the protection of child molesting priests, the only thing the church leaders understand is money. Hit ‘em in the pocketbook.
Amen to that. The devil is dancing in the aisles of the church.
Notre Dame is run by a lay board, not clergy. Tighten the purse strings, yes, but lay the blame in the right place.
BTW, the Scandal was about the seduction of pubescent boys - and the bishops started cleaning it up 18 years before the Scandal ever saw magnification. Small details that never seem to make it into sneering accusations. That, and the mistake was in trusting modern science which said such people could be rehabilitated. Tradition said otherwise. For the most part at the seminary level, in this respect, there's been a return to Tradition.
O will most likely have to bring his security blanket along...TOTUS. I wonder if he can give a speech without it.
To a degree but don’t forget that the President who wields a fair amount of power IS a priest.
Father of the Holy Cross to be precise, and like so many other orders, they are not what they once were. That being said, a lay board, in this case, could change his mind and they choose not to.
Have to run to ordination Mass. Later.
“Father of the Holy Cross to be precise.”
Are they not still answerable to their Bishops?
Desdemona makes fair points, but so do you: The President has the bully pulpit. V’s wife.
This is truly a strong and powerful, well-written letter. It is impressive, and if it does not provoke a change in heart at Notre Dame, nothing will.
If Notre Dame proceeds regardless, I suggest that the Pope put the university up for sale to the Scientologists: for the University’s traditions will obviously mean nothing and as an institution it will do more harm than good to the Holy Church.
Sell it and start again. Knute Rockne will understand and approve.
Do it "for the Gipper".
The question now is when will the Pope denounce Fr. Jenkins decision?
BTW, stats are that more molesting goes on in the homes of children by their mothers and fathers
and in public schools.
You are sort of right and sort of not. As a part of the articles and by-laws, the Holy Cross order retains certain reserve powers over key issues, among them its Catholicity. These reserve powers are controlled by a group called "fellows," all of whom are Holy Cross priests. So while the board functions like most and has many lay people on it, the fellows actually control the key components and decisions when it comes to those reserve powers.
Money matters, but those fellows (and I know who some of them are) are most likely in agreement with Fr. Jenkins, while others are not. The CSCs are one of the most political orders I am familiar with. A very good man, who baptized all three of my sons is one and over the years he has shared many interesting stories. This saga has yet to play out fully. Jenkins 6 year term is due to expire soon. If this debacle continues, look for someone else to replace him.
On a separate matter, I know Fr. Jenkins well enough to know he is a decent, religious man, but know he never saw this coming. In no way could he have imagined 160,000+ signatures in objection, Bishops, Archbishops and the head of the Holy Cross order in Rome siding against him and the potential of ruining the graduation for some members of the Senior class who oppose this decision. He's smart enough to know he stepped in it, but just can't figure out a graceful way to extract the University.
Rev. Hugh W. Cleary
Superior General
Tel in Rome: 00-39-06-612-962-11
hughcleary@cscroma.org
If Obama was a decent man instead of a narcassistic arrogant AH he would make his excuses and bow out of this engagement. But we know him for what he is. He’s made no secret of the kind of man he is, and i use the term “man” lightly. He will show up just because it will cause division among people. He enjoys putting misery on people.
A "decent, religious man", let alone a Priest, would never allow the Vagina Monologues to be staged on a Catholic campus especially at a university named after the Blessed Mother.
he never saw this coming.
If true that's more than enough justification needed for Cleary to remove him. Sounds like Jenkins doesn't possess any common sense. Nor does Cleary.
Cleary doesn’t have the power to remove him, only the fellows do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.