President Obama to receive honorary degree from Notre Dame

[GodLovesTheSpek]

Pray that the Truth be revealed to him. Perhaps a lack of applause would say more than worlds.

Perhaps Notre Dame will stand up and show Truth to the one who does not see it.

 

[Georgia]

I am at a near loss for words. Of all places to have President Obama speaking, at any Catholic institution, nominally or seriously, leads people to believe that his positions are not far from those of the Church. The mindset that chooses to ignore his FOCA position, his stance on late-term abortion, and any number of other statements against the pro-life movement while giving him a forum with a Catholic stamp puzzles me. If Catholics are not pro-life, what are we? If we are not solidly pro-life, what is our calling?

We squander any moral authority when we speak with less than a clear and firm voice saying that life is precious and that we support no measures that diminish its value.

 

[Wowbagger]

Mine:

I heard you’re having our esteemed radically pro-abortion President give your commencement address this year.

I have never been so thankful that your equally esteemed institution denied my admission application. I am, however, rather embarrased that I made the wait list. You might want to tighten your standards, to ensure that no orthodox Catholic ever has to bear the shame of having graduated from your institution again.

Y’r Obt. Serv’t.,
[signature]

 

[pbrown1989]

As a current student at the Our Lady’s University, I can honestly say that many of us here are genuinely conflicted about Fr. Jenkins’ decision to invite President Obama to speak at commencement this year. On the one hand, we must respect the office of President of the United States, and it is an honor for our beloved campus to host the leader of the free world. Of course, there is a substantial population, like myself, who can not and will not tolerate the Notre Dame imprimatur being given to someone whose views on the sanctity of life are so dramatically at odds with the position of the Church and the university. Myself and eight other students, with more co-signing literally by the hour, have submitted a letter to Fr. Jenkins, asking to make a public, vocal statement that the university strongly disapproves with the President’s actions. I invite you to read it on my student Web site, nd.edu/~pbrown6/ObamaVisitLetter.html. God bless all of you who still wish the best for a university that was and hopefully will still remain one of the premier Catholic institutions in America.

 

[jbm0117]

ND is only catholic by name. Need I mention Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden

 

[redrosetea]

Pray that the Truth be revealed to him. Perhaps a lack of applause would say more than worlds.

Perhaps Notre Dame will stand up and show Truth to the one who does not see it.

That won’t happen…what should happen is to uninvite him…that would say quite a great deal

 

[Georgia]

When we see Speaker Pelosi and others supporting abortion rights while maintaining somehow that they truly are Catholic, there is huge scandal. The fact that the bishops don’t get ahead of this issue leaves me wondering why they hold the office if they won’t defend the faith.

Giving a forum at a Catholic institution to anyone who is radically pro-abortion is a terrible choice. People look up to the Church for solid moral teachings, those that never change. This seems to say, “Folks, we’re not really all that serious.”

 

[Sean_Boyle]

The priests who own and run Notre Dame are with the Congregation of the Holy Cross.

That’s an international community of priests (might include brothers too).
I contacted the locals at Notre Dame (school and priests) yesterday and today.

Today I also contacted the international authority of the Congregation.
I hope all will do the same!

Congregation of Holy Cross
Via Framura, 85
00168 Rome, Italy
**or e-mail us: **contact@holycrosscongregation.org

Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe that the Congregation of the Holy Cross no long owns Notre Dame. I believe this change happened in 1962. The University is owned by a board of lay trustees including many non-catholics. The Holy Cross brothers do still teach at Notre Dame, and the president of the Board is still a Holy Cross Brother. The University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium. Maybe they need to remove the phase “a Catholic University”

 

[RobbyS]

Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe that the Congregation of the Holy Cross no long owns Notre Dame. I believe this change happened in 1962. The University is owned by a board of lay trustees including many non-catholics. The Holy Cross brothers do still teach at Notre Dame, and the president of the Board is still a Holy Cross Brother. The University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium. Maybe they need to remove the phase “a Catholic University”

Indeed. This would wound the Notre Dame footbal program, for without the "Catholic mystic ", the school would become quickly just another midwestern school. They might as well paint over “Touchdown Jesus” on the library.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

Mr. Obama will be the ninth U.S. president to be awarded an honorary degree by the University and the sixth to be the Commencement speaker.
The above sentence is from the article linked in the first post of this thread. The
article lists the other Presidents who have been awarded with an honorary degree
from Notre Dame as commencement speakers.
I’m saddened by the quick condemnation of President Obama and Notre Dame
by some. Please read the article.
I hope we can all pray that the President be inspired by Jesus and the Blessed
Mother in the decisions he makes.

These are not condemnations of him as much as they are an opportunity to point out that anyone who believes as he does, does not have a well formed conscience and needs to reform that conscience and to stop placing themselves above God.

It is repulsive to think that a man that preaches the right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness for every human being in this country seeks to deny that same right from a segment of our population.

His spoken ideals on abortion are completely opposed to the Law that he has taken an oath to uphold.

“It’s okay to own and kill them at your will, because they aren’t really human” is the sole reason that abortion is allowed and not call murder according to the current laws. Similar thinking lead to slavery in this country.

Pres. Obama shows his lack of compassion for humanity and lack of support for Human Rights by supporting the killing of preborn babies. He speakes of them as if they are not human allowing the dismemberment and killing to continue at a rate of 4000 americans a day! Abortion the largest cause of death in this country, yet that fact is ignored completely.

 

[diggerdomer]

Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe that the Congregation of the Holy Cross no long owns Notre Dame. I believe this change happened in 1962. The University is owned by a board of lay trustees including many non-catholics. The Holy Cross brothers do still teach at Notre Dame, and the president of the Board is still a Holy Cross Brother. The University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium. Maybe they need to remove the phase “a Catholic University”

The University is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes priests from the Holy Cross order as some of its members. The President of the University is (and is required to be) a Holy Cross priest.

Do you have a basis for the accusation that the “University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium”?

 

[rpp]

The University is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes priests from the Holy Cross order as some of its members. The President of the University is (and is required to be) a Holy Cross priest.

Do you have a basis for the accusation that the “University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium”?

Yep! There production of the play “The V… Monologues” and the invitation or pro-abortion and pro-gay speakers and events. And the university’s support of GLBT groups. None of these are permitted in an authenticlly Catholic institution.

 

[magdelaine]

Interesting response to Fr. Humphries’ defense of invitation:

splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/2009/03/didnt-we-hear-t.php

 

[Captain_America]

This deal is total nonsense and stinks to high heaven: what an offense to God!

 

[elts1956]

I can see where you guys are coming from as catholic.

But…he’s the president, perhaps the most important president we’ve had since FDR. I don’t like his stance on abortion, but he’s done many other good things in his short run as our commander in chief.

You guys??? Doesn’t your profile say you are Catholic too?

TOLERANCE IS FOR THE PERSON WITH NO CONVICTION

 

[stringbeanduck]

You guys??? Doesn’t your profile say you are Catholic too?

TOLERANCE IS FOR THE PERSON WITH NO CONVICTION

He use to be a practicing Catholic, but became non denom not too long ago.

 

[elts1956]

He use to be a practicing Catholic, but became non denom not too long ago.

I guess I do have to give s/him credit for being honest about s/his professed religion. But the posting name is sure a fooler.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

The University is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes priests from the Holy Cross order as some of its members. The President of the University is (and is required to be) a Holy Cross priest.

Do you have a basis for the accusation that the “University has not signed on to teach the Magesterium”?

If what you said is different than what I said is somehow different, that wasn’t my intention…

One would not be able to find this document at Notre Dame. What I can get for you is a list of Universities and College that have committed to teaching the Magisterium. The absence of the University of Notre Dame on that list should be the proof you are looking for.

I’ll post that link as soon as I’m able. What sources will be acceptable for this proof?

 

[diggerdomer]

If what you said is different than what I said is somehow different, that wasn’t my intention…

One would not be able to find this document at Notre Dame. What I can get for you is a list of Universities and College that have committed to teaching the Magisterium. The absence of the University of Notre Dame on that list should be the proof you are looking for.

I’ll post that link as soon as I’m able. What sources will be acceptable for this proof?

Hi Sean Boyle, I was just responding to your post, I just know what I stated. There may be differences (e.g. priest vs. brother…the brothers are not involved with the administration or ownership of Notre Dame).

If you have some list that you mention I would certainly be interested in seeing it. I tend to doubt the Church has such a list, but I’m open to learning more.

Personally, I agree with the thought that a Catholic institution should not allow performance of the V**** monologues…albeit I have some reservations. I have not seen it myself (and have no desire to) so it’s hard for me to give 100% an assertion here. 99 maybe, but not 100. More importantly is the issue of academic freedom that I believe strongly in, and that I think Catholic universities and colleges in America have a right and responsibility to. This will inevitably result in conflicting view between the institutions and the Church. Personally, I tend to trust the local Bishop and the University administrators to navigate these difficult waters.

Peace.

 

[diggerdomer]

Hi Sean Boyle, I was just responding to your post, I just know what I stated. There may be differences (e.g. priest vs. brother…the brothers are not involved with the administration or ownership of Notre Dame).

If you have some list that you mention I would certainly be interested in seeing it. I tend to doubt the Church has such a list, but I’m open to learning more.

Personally, I agree with the thought that a Catholic institution should not allow performance of the V**** monologues…albeit I have some reservations. I have not seen it myself (and have no desire to) so it’s hard for me to give 100% an assertion here. 99 maybe, but not 100. More importantly is the issue of academic freedom that I believe strongly in, and that I think Catholic universities and colleges in America have a right and responsibility to. This will inevitably result in conflicting view between the institutions and the Church. Personally, I tend to trust the local Bishop and the University administrators to navigate these difficult waters.

Again, I’d appreciate any documentation you are able to share, and I’ll read it openly, but I’ll admit it might not convince me. I tend to think there’s no individual or institution that lives up to 100% of what the Church teaches, so if Universities allow performance of the V*** monologues I disapprove but don’t write them off as non-Catholic based on that one issue. FYI, Notre Dame does not “sponsor” the VM, although it does allow its performance on campus. That’s a change they’ve made recently. It may or may not be significant to outsiders.

Peace.