Posted on 09/17/2009 6:55:43 AM PDT by jaydubya2
SOUTH BEND -- In the aftermath of the controversial commencement visit by President Barack Obama, the University of Notre Dame's president plans to participate in the March for Life in January in Washington, D.C.
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, the university president, announced Wednesday in an e-mail to the campus community that he will participate in the Jan. 22 march. He encouraged others to join him.
A March for Life is held each January in the nation's capital on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.
"I plan to participate in that march. I invite other members of the Notre Dame family to join me and I hope we can gather for a Mass for Life at that event," Jenkins wrote in the e-mail.
Jenkins declined a Tribune request for an interview. "The letter speaks for itself," university spokesman Dennis Brown said.Jenkins faced widespread criticism and calls for his firing last spring from Catholic bishops and pro-life advocates because of the commencement invitation to Obama, who supports abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research.
The priest stood firm in his decision to invite and honor the president with an honorary degree. In an address Jenkins gave at the commencement ceremony, he defended the role of the university as a place where "we will listen to all views and always bear passionate witness for what we believe."
"President Obama has come to Notre Dame, though he knows full well that we are fully supportive of the (Catholic) Church's teaching on the sanctity of human life, and we oppose his policies on abortion and embryonic stem-cell research," Jenkins said at the ceremony, drawing loud applause from the audience.
At the time, Jenkins said he would look for ways to engage the campus community with issues raised during the commencement controversy.
"As our nation continues to struggle with the morality and legality of abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and related issues, we must seek steps to witness to the sanctity of life," Jenkins wrote in the e-mail.Jenkins this month formed a campus Task Force on Supporting the Choice for Life. It will be co-chaired by Margaret Brinig, a law professor and associate dean at Notre Dame Law School, and John Cavadini, a theology professor, chair of the theology department and director of the university's Institute for Church Life.
Other task force members are: Mary Ellen Konieczny, an assistant professor of sociology; the Rev. William Lies, executive director of the Center for Social Concerns; the Rev. Mark Poorman, vice president for student affairs; Frances Shavers, chief of staff and special assistant to Notre Dame's president; Todd Woodward, associate vice president for marketing communications; and Notre Dame senior Kathleen Kelley.
Jenkins has charged the task force to consider and recommend ways that Notre Dame, informed by Catholic teaching, can support the sanctity of life.
Possibilities the task force has begun to discuss, Jenkins wrote, include fostering serious and specific discussion about a reasonable conscience clause; the most effective ways to support pregnant women, especially the most vulnerable; and the best policies for encouraging adoptions.
ping
They should stone him.
Isn’t Jenkins still on a vendetta to prosecute the brave few “trespassers” who stood up against the One at ND with signs?
He seems like a “confused” man - a contradiction in moral ambiguity
>>>Jenkins has charged the task force to consider and recommend ways that Notre Dame, informed by Catholic teaching, can support the sanctity of life. <<<
How about not inviting a man who opposes ALL restrictions on abortion, even AFTER the baby is born alive, to speak to your graduates, while being honored with an honorary degree?
Jennkins, is an enemy of the unborn, and should be shunned and rebuked by the real pro-lifers at the march.
I hope he lets Fr. Weslin out of jail so he can march also.
(drops the charges, whatever)
The funny thing is he can feel safe in a croud of people who value life, and just as safe in a croud of abortion advocates. For two completely different reasons.
He would also get a speaking role at a pro-abort rally.
hypocrite liberal faux Catholic... whatever.. do what you want. Nobody cares.
Maybe he’ll see Obama on the walk and they can catch up on what’s been happening. < /s>
Sit down Judas, spend your 30 pieces of silver.
Hypocrite!
Penance is supposed to follow contrition and confession; not a substitute for...
IOW, pro-lifers are more substance than fluff. You're not fooling us Fr. Jenkins. So unless you plan on giving a heartfelt apology to the pro-life community at the rally beforehand, why don't you stay in Indiana?
While viciously prosecuting the protestors from last May on his own campus.
Sorry, buddy. No sale.
Rev. John I. Jenkins, the university president, should be barred from this hypocrisy! What a disgusting hypocrit. ‘A double-minded man is unstable in all ways.’
Woe to you Pharisses and hypocrites! You are like whited tombs filled with dead men’s bones.
I am Catholic and I believe in Catholic teaching. However, I feel that my Church is letting the faithful down in not addressing this Fr. Jenkins issue of promoting a President who is such an advocate of abortion.
I am ashamed of my Church for letting Fr. Jenkins invite Obama to speak at the graduation commencement and AWARD him for his pro-abortion views. Every Catholic should protest this by pulling funding from this “Catholic” college.
Stomach-turning hypocrisy. I hope he doesn’t expect to be allowed to speak from the stage at the March.
Hey Jenkins, you’re not invited. Stay at home with your abortionist friends. Or is this your way to salvage Notre Shame’s football season?
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