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

LifeSiteNews ^ | 4/21/09 | Kathleen Gilbert

[wagglebee]

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

[Cincinnatus.45-70]

“I guess Jenkins spares not a thought for all those potential future African-American presidents that BO, and himself by default, kills with impunity.”

At least, earthly impugnity.

[Timocrat]

Are there any men of priciple left ?

[Timocrat]

Or principle for that matter !

[pankot]

Satan speaks.

[tflabo]

Another famous Reverend once said, “Judge not by color of skin but by the content of character”. Unfortunately we don’t heed his wise words in modern day America either.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Aren’t there supposed to be rules against ordaining these types?

[Unam Sanctam]

we recognize this remarkable leader and this remarkable person who has accomplished so much

Just what has he accomplished? This guy is just spewing Obama propaganda, not giving a considered or measured judgment.

[little jeremiah]

This is beyond disgusting and horrible. I hope people go to demonstrate or something. I’d go if I lived within driving distance. How nauseating that this man who is posing as a Catholic dares to fawn over someone who advocates many evils which are entirely in opposition to the teachings of the church. Actually beyond any sectarin concerns - the teachings of natural law authored by the Supreme Being. Any sincere person of faith should be angered and nauseated by this.

Non-Catholics should want the Catholic Church to remain true to the teachings of the Bible; her strength strenthens the world.

[Salvation]

The bishops who have so far expressed disapproval of Notre Dame's invitation to Obama (in alphabetical order) are:

1. Bishop John D'Arcy - Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN
2. Bishop Samuel Aquila - Fargo, ND
3. Bishop Gregory Aymond - Austin, TX
4. Bishop Gerald Barbarito - Palm Beach, FL
5. Bishop Leonard Blair - Toledo, OH
6. Archbishop Daniel Buechlein - Indianapolis, IN
7. Bishop Robert Baker - Birmingham, AL
8. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz - Lincoln, NE
9. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran - Oklahoma City, OK
10. Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú - San Antonio, TX
11. Bishop Paul Coakley - Salina, KS
12. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo - Houston, TX
13. Archbishop Timothy Dolan - New York, NY
14. Bishop Thomas Doran - Rockford, IL
15. Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty - Scranton, PA
16. Bishop Robert Finn - Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO
17. Cardinal Francis George - Chicago, IL; President, USCCB
18. Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger - Evansville, IN
19. Archbishop José Gomez - San Antonio, TX
20. Bishop William Higi - Lafayette, IN
21. Archbishop Alfred Hughs - New Orleans, LA
22. Bishop Joseph Latino - Jackson, MS
23. Bishop Jerome Listecki - La Crosse, WI
24. Bishop William E. Lori - Bridgeport, CT
25. Bishop George Lucas - Springfield, IL
26. Bishop Robert Lynch - St. Petersburg, FL
27. Bishop Joseph Martino - Scranton, PA
28. Bishop Robert Morlino - Madison, WI
29. Bishop George Murry - Youngstown, OH
30. Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark, NJ
31. Bishop R. Walker Nickless - Sioux City, IA
32. Archbishop John C. Nienstedt - St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN
33. Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - Baltimore, MD
34. Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ
35. Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk - Cincinnati, OH
36. Bishop Kevin Rhoades - Harrisburg, PA
37. Bishop Alexander Sample - Marquette, MI
38. Bishop Edward J. Slattery - Tulsa, OK
39. Bishop Richard Stika - Knoxville, TN
40. Bishop Anthony Taylor - Little Rock, AR
41. Bishop Robert Vasa - Baker, OR
42. Bishop Thomas Wenski - Orlando, FL

This is from LifeSiteNews.com web site...

BTW, I truly believe that Pope Benedict is watching this fiasco at Notre Dame and taking notes!

[Salvation]

Notre Dame alumni — hold your contributions and email them and tell them that you are doing it!

No money — hopefully no Obama.

[Salvation]

Keep FReeping Notre Dame.

1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6,   7,   8

[Erasmus]

Fr Jenkins acts like he has a homocrush on the big 0.

Seriously—could that possibly be it?

[militant2]

Why the hell is he just taking notes?? He should be jumping on this with both feet, and that should be happening yesterday!!

Hot air, all of it! The same posturing verbal crap that we claim not to be able to tolerate with our politicians, we will put up with from people that have titles like Pope and Bishop! Seems to me there’s not a dime’s difference between ‘em!

I hereby express disapproval of Zero’s dissolution of liberty and freedom, too.......BFD!!

Militant

[bboop]

Pride - the overweaning lynchpin of the Seven Deadlies. I would not be proud to be proud, Father J.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

The Pope doesn’t have a phone?

[Salvation]

He’s got representatives here in the U. S.

[Petronski]

Who is this “we,” Jenkins? You got a gerbil in your pocket?

[wagglebee]

Who is this “we,” Jenkins? You got a gerbil in your pocket?

He might!

[wagglebee]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

[Nuc1]

So true...but thankfully you caught it. :D)