So, what do you think will happen at Notre Dame at Commencement?

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Hi:
With all the brouhaha over the decision by Notre Dame to invite President Obama as its commencement speaker and the subsequent reaction to it,what do you think will happen when the big day comes:
What will Obama (either himself or through his minions (such as Secret Service etc) say or do?
What will the University say or do?
What will the bishops say or do (individually or as a body)?
What will the students do (I mentioned the matter to a friend of mine who’s son has just been accepted there for next fall and she said, “Oh, that’s just a small group of people”)?
What will the alumni do?
What will the rest of us (while I am Catholic and I do object to this invitation and honorary degree, I have absolutely no ties to the school) say or do?

Just curious to get the opinions of all of you, especially those who are closer to the matter than I am.
 
National Right to Life news has posted an article written by Anthony J. Lauinger Vice President National Right to life. (April 2009 p. 3) He points to the obvious error of judgement committed by Fr. John Jenkins when the President of Notre Dame invited President B. Obama to speak at this years Commencement Ceremony. This invitation is one thing, but to “add insult to injury, he will be granted an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Notre Dame.”

Then Lauinger asks the question: “Is this recognition of Obama as Teacher for the pro-abortion laws that he has championed, or the pro-live laws that he has opposed, that Notre Dame is honoring Mr. Obama?”

My wife and mother of ten has an answer for Mr. Lauinger. We are not surprised by the University President’s decision since Our Lady’s School is completely secularized by now. A direction it has been going for a long time. This act is not “an error in Judgement” but a natural progession.
 
I think it will go on peacefully and respectfully.

There are many who support him being at Notre Dame for the speech, probably fewer who also want him to receive awards. And yes, there are probably more of us who think Fr Jenkins screwed up big time, but I don’t expect massive protests, nor do I expect disruptions. I attended the graduation at ND when Ronald Reagan spoke. It was also somewhat controversial, although far less so than this one. Still, bring in any candidate or office holder and there will be differences of opinion.

In the long run I think donations will go down. I think there will no longer be standing invitations to the Presidents (think back, only Clinton was not asked to speak of the past several Presidents). I think Jenkins will be taken to the woodshed over this, but it won’t appear that way publicly, it will be done in private.

My hope, just a hope, is that ND will take this as an opportunity to return to the more faithful teachings of the Church. However, the president of the association of Catholic colleges seems to have a very high regard to secularism (why is he the head of such an organization) and supports Jenkins in this so my hope for change is probably going to be unrealized. Still, this may give the Bishops a reason to come together to push for more orthodox teaching at all Catholic colleges across the US.
 
It could depend on how this swine flu thing plays out. Indiana’s first case was identified, yesterday, as a “student at Notre Dame”. I hope it was just an isolated case, but it is too soon to tell yet.

One of the top officials of the State Board of Health advised yesterday that people “stop shaking hands” to avoid spreading the virus. I wonder if some good might come from this plague?
 
At the commencement itself, I suspect there will be some quiet, non-disruptive evidence of the displeasure of those in the student body who adhere to their Catholic heritage. However, the rumblings of displeasure are more evident in the alumni who are withholding their contributions until Father Jenkins is removed from his position. The estimate already is that there will be over $8 million dollars lost in contributions to the university due to held alumni contributions. There will be an impact.

My understanding is that President Clinton was invited and it was withdrawn. However, unless Father Jenkins, who is flagrantly defiant in the face of disapproval from the Bishops and the leadership of his own order, is removed, the standing invitation to the President will probably stand. His poor judgment and disobedience is a scandal to many. I suspect the previous poster is correct. In one way or another, he’ll be dealt with.

I’ll just keep praying for conversion in the heart of Fr. Jenkins, President Obama, and his whole administration.
 
The school will rename itself Notre Mirroire, as it finally accepts reality.
 
Yesterday, David Horowitz, the former radical who wrote a book about the liberal universities, was asked about the Notre Dame Controversy on a local tallk show. He said according to his research almost all of the professors at Notre Dame are Pro-choice and are standing in line waiting for extra tickets for the Commencement. There will be no empty seats. I hope none of the true pro-life students relinguish their seats to the abortion lovers.
 
I think there is a slight chance that he may have something come up that will keep him from coming at the last moment.
 
Obama will use this once great institution to preach his gospel of death and he will be hailed as our new “Messiah” (The press wiil fawn over Michelle’s incredible fashion sense!).

we all come to the crossroads and must choose! ND and Fr Jenkins have chosen death!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

Mark
 
Sadly the speech and recognition will probably go on as planned. I doubt the president will call it off and I doubt Obama wants to call it off as that would be handing the Catholics a victory, and he does not want to do that. He wants to bring his arms closer to Catholics and keep them close for votes.

I am happy to see so many bishops speak out against this, and while the bishops do not have the power to fire the president, I trust they will do everything possible to prevent this from happening again.

This event is a wake-up call for the Catholic Church to see how secular it’s universities have become. The Church is not known to act quickely however I have trust and faith that they will respond to turn the tide against secularism in our schools.
 
Obama will probably get a standing ovation from his fawning sycophants. :rolleyes: And not a single person will challenge him on his pro-abortion stance. I really wish it were otherwise…but there it is.
 
carmelitenovice said:
Hi:
With all the brouhaha over the decision by Notre Dame to invite President Obama as its commencement speaker and the subsequent reaction to it,what do you think will happen when the big day comes:
What will Obama (either himself or through his minions (such as Secret Service etc) say or do?
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He will give lip service to the graduates and make them feel good and thereby make himself feel good. He will make a small mention about the opposition and spin into something positive for himself.
carmelitenovice said:
What will the University say or do?
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The University will praise and adore him as though he is the 2nd coming of Jesus sadly.
carmelitenovice said:
What will the bishops say or do (individually or as a body)?
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Some will continue to raise a voice but since nothing will be done, it will die out like so many other stories.
carmelitenovice said:
What will the students do (I mentioned the matter to a friend of mine who’s son has just been accepted there for next fall and she said, “Oh, that’s just a small group of people”)?
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The students mostly will think that seeing Obama is a great and wonderful experience. The students that are truly Catholic will be denied a wonderful Graduation experience with all of the scandal around this. Graduations are supposed to be wonderful experiences. For some it will be very bitter.
carmelitenovice said:
What will the alumni do?
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It’s my understanding that it is the Alumni that are raising the loudest voices about this. Some will never forgive Notre Dame for this and I can’t disagree with that.
carmelitenovice said:
What will the rest of us (while I am Catholic and I do object to this invitation and honorary degree, I have absolutely no ties to the school) say or do?
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We will probably post about this for some time afterwards, but then we move on to other issues.
carmelitenovice said:
Just curious to get the opinions of all of you, especially those who are closer to the matter than I am.
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Obama will show up for this. In a certain sense its like God giving the Devil an award. Would the devil say no to that? I don’t think so.

I would really like to think that Father Jenkins will be reprimanded over this, but who knows.
 
canadianguy1143 said:
Obama will show up for this. In a certain sense its like God giving the Devil an award. Would the devil say no to that? I don’t think so.
.
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Satan has won this round. Lucifer has taught his navy well. The Evil One knows how to first weaken the leaders of his oponents. He succeeded beautifully by capturing the Admiral and all the officers of the ship of Our Lady. All the seamen will salute and follow in place.
Obama has no respect for Mary any more than most Protestants. Father Corapi, where are you when we need you? You like to tell us that “my mama wears combat boots.” This is war against our mama…we can’t lose round two!
:knight1::knight2::onpatrol::nunchuk:
 
Here’s what I hope may happen. Since there was one case of diagnosed swine flu on campus, Obama’s advisors will ask him to consider staying home, especially since he was exposed to it already in Mexico. Hey, anything is possible with God! So that’ s what I am hoping.

Who knows,Obama could be too much under the weather to travel.
 
Hate to say it, but I don’t think the fervor for the pro-life cause is nearly as great as the Catholic Answers Forums would suggest. I am personally very proud of the 50 some bishops that have come out in opposition to this event; however, there are over 360 bishops in the country and, to my mind, the silence of the other 300+ is deafening! And if this many bishops—the leadership, are not responding, that, to me, speaks volumes about the laity that they represent. In other words, the PASSION that the anti-abortion cause should elicit just doesn’t seem to be there. For this reason, I think the Commencement will go on with little controversy. Perhaps some nice words, some encouraging words will be spoken; but, when all is said and done, nothing will change. I also think this talk of “dialogue” is a sham. How long have the opposing sides been dialoguing on this issue? 36 years! On the positive side, I do expect a very sizeable group at the Grotto.

The movement to convert this country to a country of choice is insidious and this is just one more step along the way. I believe the President’s position here is totally contrived, part of a movement laced with subtlety and patience. All the pro-death people have to do is look at the direction of things and how far they have come. To me, this is just a very bad dream. Can’t believe what a death grip EVIL can have on such a large group of people!

I believe despair is a great sin and I, for one, will never despair. I know in the end, the TRUTH will prevail, especially in the hearts and minds of the faithful. But the moral malaise this country is in is just so sad, particularly for the young, especially the very young. A country that has lost sight of God is, indeed, a country in serious trouble. My great hope is that I am wrong, not only regarding the future of pro-life but, also, the future of God in this country.
 
I think that everyone is missing the point. This is not about the Catholic Church’s view of abortion rights. It is being overridden by University Administration who share the Presidents Socialist agenda for the the country and ultimately the world.
 
denman23 said:
I think that everyone is missing the point. This is not about the Catholic Church’s view of abortion rights. It is being overridden by University Administration who share the Presidents Socialist agenda for the the country and ultimately the world.
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With that I would agree. I don’t see anything positive about any of Obama’s stances on abortion or health care or free enterprise or illegal immigration. Notre Dame promotes a liberal view on a number of social issues which will lead ultimately to less freedom and bigger government. The USCCB does the same. That is why so few Bishops have criticized the choice of Obama – generally, they are in agreement with his views about social issues in almost every instance except abortion. Sometimes the only way we can learn is to experience the natural consequences of policies which will lead to more poverty, more crime, fewer stable families, etc.
 
I think that most people will maintain civil order but that there will be hotheads who may make trouble for everyone. I think there will be heavy police presence to handle troublemakers. My hope is that the university’s reputation is not scarred by violence or death over the selection of a speaker.

It is notable that the Vatican is not weighing in against Obama speaking but wants to have a good relationship with the president. Here’s an opinion by E.J. Dionne which reflects what I am reading lately. Maybe some of the firebrands should calm down and listen for a change.
seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2009191023_opinc08dionne.html
 
stbruno said:
Today on our local TV station there was mention that there was small protest being reared at Notre Dame and most Catholics support having him speak and receive an honorary degree as well. Sad. However, John Kass, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune had an incredible article in today’s paper. chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-notre-dame-15-may15,0,3687487.column

It’s well worth the read!
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Thanks for posting Kass’s article. There are not too many of those type of articles in Chicago papers. I have been very disappointed in the Obama mania that has taken over local papers of the place I once called home.
 
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