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 Dames 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 ...
The head of Holy Cross, Fr. Cleary, thinks it would be up to the bishops. Or at least that’s what he says. The bishops seem to say that it’s up to Holy cross. So it’s perfect cover for everybody. Just write to ‘em all I reckon.
I think this would be solved very quickly 500 years ago.
Freegards
Who is Nick Healey?
If you go to the link you will find he is president of Ave Maria University and an alumnus of Notre Dame.
As Superior General, Cleary has many Canonical options; which he is self admittedly ignorant of, open to him that he has to this point refused to exercise.
enkins put himself in a pickle here and it is just like the political folks in the CSC to let him squirm and then perhaps call for his ouster behind the scenes when his 6 year term is up. There is a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes. The university is trying desperately to make this look like Obama was a fool to ask to come to Notre Dame to speak, that the university was gracious in granting his request and now will have the Laetare Medal speaker give a pro life speech immediately preceeding Obama's speech. They are foolishly hoping this will embarrass Obama. Meanwhile, the students don't mind Obama coming (70% approx in favor) and the alums do (70% against). This is a mess of Jenkins doing and I can see the political CSCs plotting his demise.
Then he must have been deluded and under the hypnotic spell of the false messiah. What's that line about "fooling even the elect, if that were possible"? How could a priest NOT be paying attention to Obama's abominable and anti-Catholic pro-culture-of-death policies? Only one not prayerfully in touch with the faithful and pro-life Catholics. Not a good sign.
Trust me, there are factions among the priesthood that ignore the bad sides of politicians and cater to the bedwetting can’t we all just get along, care for the sick, feed the hungry side. All I can say is Obama would feed some pregnant mommy, only to gladly kill her born alive but intended to be aborted baby and these priests would look the other way. It is unpleasant to watch and disappointing.
The comments and articles by Prof. Charles Rice and Prof. McInerny were on target and displayed the best of Notre Dame. That's a positive result.
Mary Ann Glendon, a professor at Harvard Law School who recently stepped down as U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will receive the University of Notre Dame's Laetare Medal at commencement ceremonies May 17. She is a pro lifers' pro lifer. We alums are hoping she will make appropriate comments about Obama's terrible positions on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Glendon speaks immediately prior to Obama.
The nonsense coming out of Notre Dame is to use her as cover for their ghastly error in allowing Obama to speak. Fr. Jenkins likes to think of himself as an intellectual leader of a free thinking university that allows all kinds of diverse thought. He has proved this to be in error by allowing the Vagina Monologues to continue to be played as a means of cozying up to the faculty senate. Now he has shown his continued visual flaw by allowing Obama to speak all in the name of tradition. Ugh....
The power is with the donors. Maybe abunch of high value donors should announce they are canceling all future pledges to Notre Dame.
Meaning what? He can't blame somebody else for a bone-headed move? Admit the mistake, confess and move on. It's part of living.
Do I understand this right, Obama asked to be invited?
My understanding is that the university has a standing invitation to every president to come and speak and Obama accepted, but really wanted to come, becoming more his effort than the university’s. That’s what I’ve heard. Now that could just be ND covering its rear end after the debacle.
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.