Pope Tells Notre Dame to 'Defend, Preserve, Advance’ Catholic Identity

In a powerful statement encouraging fidelity and strong Catholic identity in Catholic higher education, Pope Francis today urged the University of Notre Dame to be an “uncompromising witness… to the Church’s moral teaching” and to resist “efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness,” according to a translation by Vatican Radio.

From the article: "In my Exhortation on the Joy of the Gospel, I stressed the missionary dimension of Christian discipleship, which needs to be evident in the lives of individuals and in the workings of each of the Church’s institutions. This commitment to “missionary discipleship” ought to be reflected in a special way in Catholic universities (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 132-134), which by their very nature are committed to demonstrating the harmony of faith and reason and the relevance of the Christian message for a full and authentically human life. Essential in this regard is the uncompromising witness of Catholic universities to the Church’s moral teaching, and the defense of her freedom, precisely in and through her institutions, to uphold that teaching as authoritatively proclaimed by the magisterium of her pastors. It is my hope that the University of Notre Dame will continue to offer unambiguous testimony to this aspect of its foundational Catholic identity, especially in the face of efforts, from whatever quarter, to dilute that indispensable witness."

Apparently he is unaware of the goings-on at Notre Dame. I wouldn't expect Cardinal O'Malley to clue him in, either.

Actually, I think he’s very much aware of it. I don’t think Pope Francis is very good at standing up to government incursions (yet), but I don’t think he would have made this statement if he didn’t have at least some knowledge of the background story on Notre Dame.

O’Malley is pretty weak on dealing with the government, and of course Wuerl is horrible and more Dem than Catholic. They’re the only two Americans, alas, on the Pope’s advisory team. But maybe someone else was able to fill him in. The Pope strikes me as a little conflict-averse, so his even acknowledging the situation is a good sign.

The remarks were delivered at the dedication of some kind of study center that ND has built in Rome, and the article says that it is unclear whether Jenkins was present.

and out of the other side of his mouth he is saying.....lets not offend people by talking about abortion and homosexuality etc

No wonder people are confused

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