Randall terry lectures bishop d’arcy

[aimee]

Thursday April 16, 2009
RANDALL TERRY LECTURES BISHOP D’ARCY

April 15, 2009

Catholic League president Bill Donohue issued the following remarks on a column by pro-life activist Randall Terry that appeared in yesterday’s Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

“Three weeks ago, Archbishop Raymond Burke, the former St. Louis archbishop who is now working in the Vatican, publicly chastised Randall Terry for misrepresenting a meeting they had in Rome. Now Terry has stepped in it again, this time having the gall to lecture Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop John D’Arcy for not contacting him before he called on Catholics not to demonstrate at this year’s Commencement at Notre Dame; President Barack Obama will be given an honorary degree, something which D’Arcy strongly opposes. For some bizarre reason, Terry thinks Bishop D’Arcy should have checked in with him before he made his prudent decision.

“Terry doesn’t know when to quit. This quote is a gem: ‘D’Arcy has stepped far beyond his canonical authority by urging the faithful to abandon the babies—and thereby abandon Christ—and to honor Obama and Jenkins [the Notre Dame president] with our silent cooperation.’ This is arrogance on stilts: Terry just became a Catholic in 2005 and now he is an authority on canon law. Worse, he accuses Bishop D’Arcy, who is strongly pro-life, of abandoning babies and Christ.

“The problem with pro-life zealots is that they expect everyone to line up single file and do exactly what they want. Thus do they play to the worst stereotype floated by the pro-abortion camp. Terry needs to take a deep breath and get off his high horse.”

 

[aimee]

does anyone else think this article is missing something?

To me, it seems like Catholic League is not understanding pro life movement.

the whole article had a snarky feel to it…

Whats up with Catholic League?

 

[Soutane]

By saying that the Bishop "abandoned Christ"Randall slandared him and set himself up as the Bishop’s judge.He is a megalomaniac.(That’s ME judging him)

 

[Lurch104]

The question I would like answered is why the bishop told people not to protest BHO at Notre Dame? What authority does he have to issue the statement, and why should an abolitionist listen.

 

[aimee]

By saying that the Bishop "abandoned Christ"Randall slandared him and set himself up as the Bishop’s judge.He is a megalomaniac.(That’s ME judging him)

I don’t know Soutane…about the judging part…but people are sure disappointed in the catholic bishops in the US. So perhaps he is judging him but then maybe he has reason.

About Mr Terry …he is a bit intense but it isn’t deliberate…he does a lot for prolife causes and feels strongly about those who can …and don’t do enough:shrug:

In any case, the article still has a snarky feel to it…

 

[aimee]

The question I would like answered is why the bishop told people not to protest BHO at Notre Dame? What authority does he have to issue the statement, and why should an abolitionist listen.

I don’t know why the bishop didn’t want a protest…

 

[Della]

I wish the article had a quote from Terry saying the bishop should have checked with him (Terry) before making his statement about not protesting Notre Dame honoring Obama, but in the quote we have Terry doesn’t say the bishop “abandoned Christ”, which would be slanderous indeed. What he actually said was: “‘D’Arcy has stepped far beyond his canonical authority by urging the faithful to abandon the babies—and thereby abandon Christ…”. Terry has the canonical right to his opinion and the right to voice it even if it does make a bishop uncomfortable. I don’t know if the bishop is wrong canonically, but he is wrong to come to the defense of ND on this issue and is thus deepening the ongoing scandal. Terry has the right to point that out.

 

[Soutane]

I don’t know why the bishop didn’t want a protest…

Obama shouldn’t be protested-the invitation is fait-acompli.He WAS INVITED.The person responsible for this invitation should be bounced down the driveway on his ***.

 

[cathgal]

Obama shouldn’t be protested-the invitation is fait-acompli.He WAS INVITED.The person responsible for this invitation should be bounced down the driveway on his ***.

Who said the protest was for Obama and not the Judas of ND?

 

[Havard]

His Excellency never “came to the defense” of Notre Dame. He condemned the decision to honor the President.

I agree with His Excellency about not protesting the commencement itself. There is a Rosary being said on the other side of campus, at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Let’s make our statement there. I certainly hope Mr. Terry doesn’t think that the Rosary isn’t good enough.

 

[Pandora]

Bishop D’Arcy made some very strong statements to Notre Dame about the Obama invitation. His prolife credentials are superior to my own Cardinal. Randall Terry is totally over the top in trying to trash Bishop D’Arcy about not wanting people to protest at the ceremony. It’s the graduates day and not the time to turn things into a 3 ring circus. Protesting outside or along Obama’s route is fine but how does getting rowdy and out of control get our message across. Somehow I don’t think Terry planned on a quite rosary vigil. Bishop D’Arcy does not plan to attend the graduation because of the invitation so he no way approves of it. This is just so much grandstanding on Terry’s part.
Kathleen

 

[aimee]

Bishop D’Arcy made some very strong statements to Notre Dame about the Obama invitation. His prolife credentials are superior to my own Cardinal. Randall Terry is totally over the top in trying to trash Bishop D’Arcy about not wanting people to protest at the ceremony. It’s the graduates day and not the time to turn things into a 3 ring circus. Protesting outside or along Obama’s route is fine but how does getting rowdy and out of control get our message across. Somehow I don’t think Terry planned on a quite rosary vigil. Bishop D’Arcy does not plan to attend the graduation because of the invitation so he no way approves of it. This is just so much grandstanding on Terry’s part.
Kathleen

I don’t think he is grandstanding or trashing Bishop D’Arcy…he was disapproving, though.

 

[katy]

I agree that Bishop D’Arcy made his opinion about the intivation and honorary degree quite clear, and he is not going to the graduation. His hope was that other ways of protest would be found other than disrupting the graduation. I know this is a matter of prudence, but imagine the headlines if there was disruption. All the usual bs about those prolifers would be trotted out again. A large prayer group or peaceful signholding along a procession route is something else, IMO.

 

[aimee]

I think the thing thats peculiar is the catholic leagues attitude…and this isn’t the first time…whomever wrote this article was a bit …obvious of their dislike of Mr Terry …not just the facts…

I don’t have a problem with protests as long as they don’t get out of hand…

I am thinking … I am more upset with the person who invited the President to speak at a Catholic university… but at least they are not giving him an honorary degree …

 

[redrosetea]

The question I would like answered is why the bishop told people not to protest BHO at Notre Dame? What authority does he have to issue the statement, and why should an abolitionist listen.

He might have been afraid that radicals would infiltrate and embarrass the church…You never know how thses thigs are going to end

If they only knelt and aid the rosary I doubt that he would try to stop it, but they might not be content to do that. Or they might not be able to control others that have a different agenda would show up…They don’t want violence

 

[Havard]

On graduation day at Notre Dame, traffic is always a mess. If demonstrators flock to the university’s front entrance and demonstrate without regard, it will be disrespectful to the graduates. Parents and relatives will have difficulty joining their graduates, which is wrong.

The Grotto of Our Lady, on the other hand, is on the other side of campus. There is easy access to the Grotto from outside of the campus via St. Mary’s Road.

It is logistically possible to hold a Rosary there, even on a massive scale, without causing undue hardship for graduates’ families.

 

[Don5925]

I believe the bishop was hoping for some sort of decorum with whole deal. Terry wants as much spectacle as possible. Bishop D’ arcy is a good man and my limited dealings with him have been positive. He must balance the good of his whole diocese with one visit by a president. Condoning a protest with its potential for mob mentality could lead to a whole host of spiritual issues.

Terry has noble intentions, and I hope those intentions are based on the best of reasons, but I don’t see how criticizing a bishop who is trying to protect his people can lead to anything good.

 

[Verbum_Caro]

Here are some excerpts from what Randall Terry said:

I wish the bishop had followed biblical teaching and contacted me before making his public statement against our efforts. Since he has spoken publicly, I have a duty to respond in the same venue.

It is ironic that D’Arcy chose Good Friday to issue a statement urging Catholics to remain silent in the face of treachery. Sadly, it appears that he is following in the most regretful steps of St. Peter.

Peter boldly swore that he would not deny Christ; D’Arcy boldly declared he would not deny the value of innocent lives for the sake of prestige. But **now D’Arcy wavers before Pilate (don’t protest Obama), confirms Judas (don’t protest Jenkins), and abandons Christ in the babies **(don’t show pictures of dead babies, don’t cry out against their murder).

In his printed statements urging us to forgo demonstrations, he does not even mention the babies dying at Obama’s command. Let us pray that even as Peter met the eyes of the suffering Christ – and Peter’s heart was broken as he wept bitter tears – that Bishop D’Arcy meets the eyes of the babies condemned to a brutal death by the man he now suggests we do not protest.

He also stated: “The Notre Dame community is well-equipped to supervise and support discussions and prayer within their own campus…” This sounds “spiritual,” but is actually part of the crisis. (. . .)

This I know for certain: D’Arcy has stepped far beyond his canonical authority by urging the faithful to abandon the babies – and thereby abandon Christ – and to honor Obama and Jenkins with our silent cooperation. We do not deny D’Arcy’s right to question certain tactics, but he has gone far beyond that. He has asked us to commit the sins of omission and silence. Respectfully, we will not.

Let us remember that the last chapter on D’Arcy has not yet been written. Even as Peter wept, repented, was restored by Christ and finally strengthened his brothers, let us pray for D’Arcy’s full conversion and restoration.

uch:
Now we have the quotes!
Anyone care to change their position on Mr. Terry?

VC

 

[elts1956]

The question I would like answered is why the bishop told people not to protest BHO at Notre Dame? What authority does he have to issue the statement, and why should an abolitionist listen.

The Pro Life students at NDU themselves asked that vocal, graphic pro life protests not be organized at their commencement. The commencement is already a debaucle. These kids don’t need to have fuel added to the fire.

They are organizing and inviting individuals to join them in PEACEFUL protests, such as the rosaries being said nightly at Our Lady’s Grotto on campus. Such as asking Jenkins, (ha, like he really will) to give bo the basket of empty Red Envelopes at commencement time. Such as the call to all of us as pro life Catholics to help them offer 1,000,000 rosaries to be said between Apr. 8 and May 17th for bo’s conversion to pro life. This is the student’s university and I think their wishes should be honored.

 

[elts1956]

The question I would like answered is why the bishop told people not to protest BHO at Notre Dame? What authority does he have to issue the statement, and why should an abolitionist listen.

does anyone else think this article is missing something?

To me, it seems like Catholic League is not understanding pro life movement.

the whole article had a snarky feel to it…

Whats up with Catholic League?

The Catholic league is saying Randall Terry isn’t a member of the Magisterium.