Obama creates infighting at Notre Dame

Star Tribune ^ | April 11, 2009 | Dirk JOHNSON,

[NYer]

SOUTH BEND, IND.

As church bells pealed, Claire Gillen, a Notre Dame freshman, stood on the stone steps of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, accusing this fabled Roman Catholic institution of sin and sacrilege.

"It's a scandal," said Gillen, voicing outrage over the university's invitation to President Obama, a supporter of abortion rights, to deliver the commencement address here on May 17.

Some alumni have called the campus, saying they have thrown away their Fighting Irish sweatshirts in disgust. The local bishop, John D'Arcy, has vowed to boycott the graduation ceremony. A visiting high school senior, Halley Chavey, who said she was thrilled just weeks ago to be accepted for admission, said she might reject the offer because the university is hosting "the most pro-abortion president we've ever had."

But for all the high-pitched indignation, the talk among students and faculty on this gothic campus of towering oaks and sculpted saints seems to reveal a strikingly upbeat mood about Obama's visit.

"Most of us are like, 'Wow, the president of the United States is coming,'" said Brett Ensor, a Texas native who belongs to the Knights of Columbus, opposes abortion and voted for the Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain. "What college wouldn't want Obama to come? This is a tremendous honor for us."

Threatened protests of the president's visit -- some conservative groups on campus have promised to stage demonstrations -- have left liberal students, like Max Young, cringing over the portrayal of Notre Dame as insulated and narrow-minded.

"If you can't speak openly at Notre Dame, who's going to want to come here?" said Young, a supporter of abortion rights, who noted that Catholic teaching endorses many of Obama's views, especially when it comes to aiding the poor and immigrants. "President Obama is one of us. He's on our side."

[NTHockey]

>>Do you have a source for that claim?<<

In addition to my two examples, which I believe make my point adequately, I have only third party evidence from Catholics who took their children out of parochial schools because of what was being offered as “religious education” as well as my own experiences with Cardinal Krol and Bishop Mardega.

This article http://www.rosary-center.org/ll43n2.htm
relates what happened and why there is such turmoil today.

Other than that, I am afraid that there is little more to offer.

[kitkat]

***”Healthy debate is welcomed,” the editorial stated. “Photographs of aborted fetuses are not.”***

Then HAVE a debate, not just a one-sided speech.

[TaxachusettsMan]

“Most of us are like, ‘Wow,’ said Brett Ensor ...”

No, most of you are like, “DUH!”

And in response to the poster who said college students aren’t stupid, just immature: having taught on the GRADUATE level, let me assure you, it isn’t either/or, it’s both/and. A frightening number of them are both stupid AND immature.

[chatham]

It would be nice and fitting for the Knights to make a very Public pronouncement of their position since as you say they are opposed to abortions and should be opposed to the N.D. invitation of the Abortionist in Chief.

Perhaps Jenkins might see the light if they made their position clear.

The third degree Ritual requires physical response if necessary to oppose any actions against the Church.

It is my belief that when confirmed, all Catholics are to be soldiers in the army of Christ to protect and defend our Catholic Church at the cost of their lives if necessary..

I never went back after my initiation, I felt it was insulting and degrading.

[Northern Yankee]

I have off today, and was able to get to Morning Mass. ; )

Have you heard of Garabandal? (Visitation of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

I never had until a few weeks ago when some literature came in the mail. (I have no idea how we received it.)