ND President Jenkins: "We Are Tremendously Proud" to Honor Obama at Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, April 21, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - University of Notre Dame president Fr. John Jenkins heaped fuel on the fire yesterday by gushing that President Obama's highly controversial platform at the school's commencement would be a "tremendous event" for Notre Dame.

"We are very proud and honored to welcome the first African-American President of the United States in a few weeks as our commencement speaker," said Fr. Jenkins at a town hall meeting celebrating 60 years of black student-athletes at Notre Dame, according to the South Bend Tribune. Obama will also be receiving an honorary law degree from the school during the May 17 commencement exercises.

The audience received Jenkins' remarks with cheers.

"This is a tremendous event for us. We're tremendously proud," said the Notre Dame president. "President Obama clearly could have chosen any university in the country to give a commencement address, and they would have been just delighted to have him, but he's coming to Notre Dame, and we're exceptionally proud."

So far over 325,000 petitioners and 42 U.S. bishops have publicly condemned the decision of the university to host and honor what many pro-life activists have labeled "the most pro-abortion president in history," with some strongly calling for Jenkins to disinvite the president or to step down from his position. (To sign the petition: http://www.notredamescandal.com)

Taking note of the furor from the pro-life Catholic community over the Obama honor, Jenkins said the invite has "touched a very sensitive nerve in the Catholic community, the issue of abortion and the issue of life, and that's very important to us."

"I think it's unfortunate that the great event of President Obama coming to this campus has been a little clouded by that controversy," said Jenkins, "but we believe what we believe, and we're clear on that, but at the same time, we recognize this remarkable leader and this remarkable person who has accomplished so much.

"He will speak to our graduates in such a powerful way. He's one of our great orators of our time, and we're just so proud to have him."

Jenkins continued: "To welcome the first African-American president will be ... gratifying for all of us.

"President Obama represents a real watershed in the history of our country, I believe. We will welcome him in style, and be happy to have him here."

To express your concern to Fr. Jenkins:

University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
46556, USA
phone: 574.631.5000
email form: http://president.nd.edu/contact-us

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

"Fr. Jenkins Will Probably Lose His Job": Nine More Bishops Make 42 against ND Scandal
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Canon Lawyer: Notre Dame Prez Reasoning "Too Bizarre for Words"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041403.html

Jenkins said the invite has "touched a very sensitive nerve in the Catholic community, the issue of abortion and the issue of life, and that's very important to us."

It's not a "sensitive nerve" your imbecilic apostate, it is not even open for discussion.

1 posted on 04/21/2009 4:24:21 PM PDT by wagglebee

To: cgk; Coleus; cpforlife.org; narses; Salvation; 8mmMauser

2 posted on 04/21/2009 4:24:55 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

Nothing means anything anymore.

3 posted on 04/21/2009 4:25:25 PM PDT by keats5

To: NYer; Mrs. Don-o; Pyro7480

Ping for your lists.

4 posted on 04/21/2009 4:26:07 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

To: 185JHP; 230FMJ; 50mm; 69ConvertibleFirebird; Aleighanne; Alexander Rubin; ...

Moral Absolutes Ping!

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5 posted on 04/21/2009 4:26:31 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

6 posted on 04/21/2009 4:27:00 PM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)

This is what happens when "priests" are motivated basically by careerism rather than the gospel. This one sold out to the world long ago. But his mistress is probably proud of him.

7 posted on 04/21/2009 4:27:27 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard

Slight cloud? He deserves a thunderstorm on his parade.

8 posted on 04/21/2009 4:27:42 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Beat a better path, and the world will build a mousetrap at your door.)

"We are very proud and honored to welcome the first African-American President of the United States

John Kerry was in Vietnam? Wrong thread. I meant, Barack Obama is black? Thank goodness someone pointed that out, otherwise we wouldn't know since no one talks about it.

9 posted on 04/21/2009 4:29:03 PM PDT by KJC1

Go Michigan...you have a new fan for life

10 posted on 04/21/2009 4:29:12 PM PDT by demsux

He gave up his religion for a new one: worshipping at Obamas feet.

11 posted on 04/21/2009 4:30:33 PM PDT by Jeb21 (www.jewsagainstobama.com)

Abortion is just “a very sensitive nerve in the Catholic community”? This guy needs to be de-frocked and the seminary he went to investigated for incompetence.

12 posted on 04/21/2009 4:32:04 PM PDT by mikey_hates_everything

Is there any way to be rid of Jerkins?

13 posted on 04/21/2009 4:32:13 PM PDT by Ben Mugged ("You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom".)

“President Obama clearly could have chosen any university in the country to give a commencement address, and they would have been just delighted to have him, but he’s coming to Notre Dame, and we’re exceptionally proud.”

The guy’s a baby killer enabler. That is not a partisan snipe, it is the literal truth. Christ help this demented “Rev.”

14 posted on 04/21/2009 4:33:41 PM PDT by TalBlack

Any ND alumni inclined to donate, take note.

15 posted on 04/21/2009 4:35:39 PM PDT by skeeter

This makes Notre Dame a big joke along with the so called Holy Cross order that Jenkins belongs to.

16 posted on 04/21/2009 4:36:14 PM PDT by Fred (Proud Member of the Obama Enemies List)

To: hinckley buzzard

17 posted on 04/21/2009 4:37:17 PM PDT by Fred (Proud Member of the Obama Enemies List)

18 posted on 04/21/2009 4:40:42 PM PDT by wagglebee ("A political party cannot be all things to all people." -- Ronald Reagan, 3/1/75)

In my e-mail to N.D. I brought forth the following:
Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God.”

Are these children that were aborted going to go to the Kingdom of God? If your answer is that they are going to heaven to be with God, then you affirm that they were children, and N.D. is an accessary to the killing of children.

19 posted on 04/21/2009 4:44:17 PM PDT by encm(ss) (USN Ret.)

Tightest reasoning I’ve ever seen! Sadly, cinos will find an ‘escape clause’ for their dead consciences.

20 posted on 04/21/2009 4:46:01 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)

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