Wow, it’s hard to know where to start! How can you possibly suggest that a Catholic Priest can sit on the board of an organization that promotes abortion and contraception?
Well first, the organization doesn’t promote abortion. The newslink in the OP said that several of the board members were pro-abortion. But if the organization promotes abortion just by virtue of Angelina Jolie being on the board of directors, then it also promotes pro-life Catholic social teachings by virtue of Jenkins’ presence. I think it does neither. I’ll try to make my point, as follows.
I’m assuming that you know that Archbishop Raymond Burke is the prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest court in the Roman Catholic Church. Have you not read his comments regarding the invitation of President Obama to Notre Dame? Have you not read his address to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Below is a link, you should read this before reading the rest of my post:
I wasn’t familiar with Archbishop Raymond Burke, but I did read the link you posted, and I agree with it. I think Catholics should vote pro-life. But we’re not debating the merits of voting for a particular politician. We’re discussing whether a Catholic can legitimately hold a position of influence in an organization that promotes contraception. And I think he can.
These sentiments have been detailed by Archbishop Burke in other writings and reiterated time and again by the Vatican and other bishops. Your notion that it is OK for Fr. Jenkins to participate in Millenium Promise, in the face of Church teachings, is just plain sad.
The Archbishop encourages Catholics to participate in politics and makes it clear in his writings how Catholic politicians are obliged to behave and vote.
With respect to voters he said, If you explore this area you will find that a faithful Catholic cannot in good conscience vote for a politician who supports intrinsically evil policies when there is a less evil option available.
I think you may have misunderstood my analogy. When I referred to a Catholic politician, I was suggesting that the person in question would be faithful. In other words, the politician already is pro-life, for the sanctity of marriage, etc. My question is, can such a person participate in a system which is fundamentally flawed? After all, the American government has serious problems. But should Catholics shy away from public service because of these issues? Or could a faithful Catholic, after prayer and reflection, decide to run for office anyway?
Let’s look at this another way: What if, by Fr. Jenkins’ presence and voting power on the board of directors, he was able to prevent the Millenium Promise from supporting abortion? What if his vote was the deciding factor? What if, by Fr. Jenkins’ participation in the Millenium Promise, he was able to prevent a very influential and wealthy NGO from presenting abortion as a legitimate option to vulnerable mothers in sub-saharan Africa? In a situation like this, I would consider it highly irresponsible for him to resign the board.
I’m not asking you or Father Jenkins or anyone else to subordinate the dignity of human life to other issues. I consider the life issues to be of the utmost importance. I am as pro-life and pro-marriage as they come. What I’m arguing is that, just as a Catholic can legitimately choose to run for office, so too can a Catholic legitimately choose to participate in a system that does good, even if the system has serious flaws with its approach. This is especially true if the Catholic, by his participation, is able to enact positive change and do good. Note that I am
not suggesting that a person can do evil so that good may come of it. I’m saying that being on a board of directors for an organization whose stated mission is to eliminate poverty is not an evil act.
Finally, I agree we should pray for Fr. Jenkins but he, by his behavior, is spreading serious scandle and error. These are grave matters. He should disciplined and removed from Notre Dame and Millenium Promise immediately. Priests are men too and can be evil.
I think that Fr. Jenkins showed serious lack of judgement by deciding to honor President Obama with an honorary degree. Perhaps his pride has kept him from doing what he knows is right, or maybe he truly believes what he’s doing is acceptable. Either way, I think his decision was in violation of the US Bishops 2004 statement on Catholic Universities. That said, it’s uncharitable to say that someone is “evil” and I certainly wouldn’t characterize Fr. Jenkins as such.
God Bless.
