Ivory Tower Heretics

In Aftermath of Notre Dame Controversy, Catholic College Commencement Scandals Decline in 2010

2010-05-11T16:47:00.001-04:00

At least nine Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. have invited spring commencement speakers and/or honorary degree recipients whose public positions and actions are clearly at odds with fundamental Catholic teachings, The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) announced today as part of its annual commencement review.

“The U.S. bishops have stood publicly and in unison against Catholic honors for those who publicly and clearly oppose Catholic teaching, most dramatically in response to last year’s Notre Dame ceremony,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society, which sponsored the online petition against Notre Dame’s honor to President Barack Obama that garnered more than 367,000 signatures.

“It remains a dark stain on those Catholic colleges and universities that would persist in undermining the Catholic faith at their commencement ceremonies for the sake of publicity and prestige, whether by handing out degrees or honoring individuals with commencement platforms,” Reilly said. “On the other hand, it appears that more than 95 percent of our Catholic college leaders this year have taken the high road, and Catholics should applaud that.”

For 17 years, CNS has encouraged the renewal of Catholic identity at Catholic colleges and universities. CNS haspublicly identified Catholic institutions that choose commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients whose public actions and statements are contrary to key teachings of the Catholic Church. Recent years have seen a marked decline in these scandals, from 24 in 2006 to just nine in 2010.

In 2009, at least 11 commencement scandals occurred despite the unprecedented public opposition of 83 U.S. bishops to the University of Notre Dame’s honor for President Obama.

Most of the protesting bishops referenced the 2004 USCCB statement “Catholics in Political Life,” which reads: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

The Cardinal Newman Society compiled the following list of Catholic colleges and universities whose commencement speakers have publicly opposed or acted contrary to Catholic values on fundamental teachings:

Boston College (Mass.)
Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of General Electric (GE), will be the commencement speaker and honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree recipient at Boston College’s commencement ceremony on May 24. GE has an official company policy permitting experimenting on embryonic stem cells and last year launched a partnership with Geron Corp. to sell products derived from embryonic stem cells.

Boston College Law School has invited U.S. Senator Scott Brown to address its May 28 commencement ceremony. While running for office in 2002 in Massachusetts, Brown made public his position in support of legalized abortion with some restrictions.

College of the Holy Cross (Mass.)
Mark Shriver will be the commencement speaker and receive an honorary degree at the College of the Holy Cross on May 28. Shriver is currently Vice President and managing director of Save the Children. While a 2002 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland, Shriver stated in a Washington Post interview, “Women's issues are critically important and I will continue to fight for a women's right to choose; family planning funds; maternal and child health funding and education for girls both here and abroad.”

Georgetown University (D.C.)
Baroness Brenda Hale will be the commencement speaker at Georgetown University Law Center on May 23. In 2004, Hale became the first woman to serve in the British House of Lords as a “Lord of Appeal in Ordinary,” the equivalent of a U.K. supreme court justice. Hale has “argued for gay civil partnerships and no-fault divorces” (The Guardian) and supports gay adoption as well as better rights for “cohabitees”. The Independent reported in 2003 that Hale stated: “My present view is that there is a strong case for introducing a legal commitment between people who are unable to marry, principally gay and lesbian partners.”

Loyola Marymount University (Calif.)
The Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, was the commencement speaker at Loyola Marymount University on May 8. Prior to serving as governor, Patrick was assistant attorney general for the civil rights division during Bill Clinton’s presidency. Patrick’s campaign website boasts that that he "helped lead the fight to keep discrimination out of the Massachusetts constitution and preserved the right of same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts."

Marlene Canter was the graduate commencement speaker for Loyola Marymount University on May 9. She is a former member of the L.A. Unified School District board. According to LifeSiteNews, Canter has called the legalization of same-sex marriage an "issue of simple fairness and basic human rights." The same article reports that Canter has opposed a parental notification abortion law.

Loyola University Chicago (Ill.)
Clarence Page will be the commencement speaker for the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago on May 14. Page is a syndicated columnist and a senior member of The Chicago Tribune editorial board. He haswritten that people who want to ban abortion are “yahoos”. As a guest on the MSNBC program Hardball last year, Page described proposed pro-life language to the healthcare bill as “worse… because this is declaring that even a woman can’t use her own money to pay for an insurance plan that also covers abortion.” He has stated, “I stand firmly on the pro-Roe side of the abortion debate.” Page also supports same-sex “marriage” as evidenced by hiseditorial “In defense of same-sex marriage”.

Notre Dame de Namur University (Calif.)
Jan Yanehiro was the commencement speaker at Notre Dame de Namur University on May 8. She is a broadcast journalist and a host on HGTV. In 2001 and again this year, Yanehiro was the mistress of ceremonies for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) annual “Power of Choice” luncheon. Yanehiroproclaimed, “What we celebrate on this anniversary is the fact that we still have the power of choice because Roe vs. Wade remains the law of the land.”

St. Joseph’s College (N.Y.)
Dr. John Sexton, President of New York University, will be the commencement speaker at St. Joseph’s College on June 2. In a March 2010 interview on PBS with Bill Moyers, Dr. Sexton said, “Okay, my view of infallibility as a Catholic is this. The Pope says something, and I disagree with it. I think again. If I think he’s wrong, I think yet again. By the time I’ve thought again the fourth time, if I still think he’s wrong, I think he’s wrong. Okay, so—but I cut him a break to begin with, even on issues on which I have deep, passionate feelings. Now, you know, on in vitro fertilization, on condoms in Africa, he’s wrong.”

St. Mary’s College of California
Jack O’Connell, California Superintendent of Schools, will serve as St. Mary’s College of California’s graduate and professional programs commencement speaker on May 23. O’Connell was featured in a TV ad opposing California’s Proposition 8, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

University of San Francisco (Calif.)
On May 22, the University of San Francisco will host as commencement speaker Dale Minami, who will also receive an honorary degree. A supporter of same-sex “marriage,” Minami is lead partner at Minami Tamaki LLP, which in December 2007 sponsored a fundraiser and donated funds to Asian Pacific Islander Equality, a group that advocates for same-sex “marriage.”

Catholic Seton Hall U. to Offer Gay 'Marriage' Course by Homosexualist Prof

2010-04-29T11:39:00.000-04:00

By Kathleen Gilbert

SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey, April 28, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Seton Hall University, the oldest Catholic diocesan university in the U.S., will be offering a same-sex "marriage" course taught by a homosexualist professor.

The Setonian, the university's newspaper, reported that the new course offering for Fall 2010 would be offered by associate professor W. King Mott, an open homosexual who was demoted in 2005 after complaining about the Catholic Church's stance against homosexuality.

The course will be offered under the Women and Gender studies department, and will be available to upper level students of any major.

“The Roman Catholic Church is prima facie homophobic,” Mott had told the press. “The Roman Catholic Church considers me to be inherently disordered. I don't know how much more homophobic one can be.” However, the university insisted that it was not rebuking Mott for his personal views, but only for failing to disassociate himself from the school.

Mott claims that next semester's course is not an advocacy course, but will, in the words of the Setonian's Jessica Sutcliffe, "[teach] the issue of gay marriage from an academic perspective."

“It is one thing to say ‘I am for or against gay marriage,’” Mott said. “It’s another to actually understand the issue. ... I hope my students gain an appreciation and respect for disinterested analysis that can be used to formulate an informed opinion."

Students in the course will write a report on same-sex "marriage" from "a perspective they choose after they have been educated on the issue," according to the article.

Junior Anthony Angelella, a secondary education and mathematics major, quoted by the Setonian, said he was "surprised" but "excited" about the class, and that it "just shows that a Catholic campus doesn't have to be so cut and dry about controversial issues.”

Mott, who as of 2005 lived with his male partner, openly maintains an affiliation with Lambda Legal, the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, and Human Rights Campaign, all leading homosexualist groups.

TFP Student Action points out that, in a paper entitled "The Sanctity of Marriage: Current Boundaries and the New Vocabulary," Mott said that maintaining marriage as between one man and one woman was "laughable."

"The notion that marriage is a stable and ancient human arrangement, derived from divine revelation, limited to that existing between one man and one woman, and binding save through the permission of a single Church is contrived," he wrote, as quoted by the student group. "It is laughable to consider that human relationships could ever find satisfaction and expression in this single interpretation of marriage."

TFP Student Action's John Ritchie questioned the rationale behind allowing Mott to offer the course. "Why should any Catholic university sponsor a course that leads students away from the truth?" he asked.

"Why should the Catholic classroom be used as a tool to advance the homosexual movement and undermine traditional marriage?

"In our hyper-sexualized culture, Seton Hall University would do well to cancel this course and replace it with one that teaches students how to appreciate the beauty of abstinence, modesty and heroic purity."

Seton Hall University responded to LifeSiteNews.com's request for comment with a statement declaring that the class was a "special topics" course that, as such, professors could offer "on an experimental basis three times" and therefore was "not reviewed by the college curricular committee."

"This course has been scheduled for the fall semester to examine one of the most significant political policy questions of our time. It is not presented to our students as an advocacy course. Thus, we fully anticipate that the Catholic position on same-sex marriage will be robustly explored," stated the school.

The University declined to give further comment.

Contact:

Monsignor Robert Sheeran, president, Seton Hall University
400 South Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079
(973) 761-9620
president@shu.edu

Catholic Loyola Marymount University Announces Pro-Abortion 2010 Commencement Speakers

2010-04-27T07:06:00.000-04:00

By James Tillman

April 26, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Loyola Marymount University, a Jesuit institution in Los Angeles, has announced that Deval Patrick, the current governor of Massachusetts, and Marlene Canter, former member of the Los Angeles Unified School District board, will be speaking at their 2010 commencement; both are on record as being in favor of abortion and homosexual “marriage.”

Deval Patrick, who served as Assistant Attorney General during the Clinton administration, worked to prevent a referendum eliminating same-sex “marriage” from coming before the people while governor of Massachusetts. His campaign website boasts that he "helped lead the fight to keep discrimination out of the Massachusetts constitution and preserved the right of same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts."

In 2007 he signed a bubble-zone measure that prohibited pro-life counselors from coming closer to abortion clinics than thirty-five feet.

Marlene Canter, similarly, called the legalization of same-sex “marriage” an "issue of simple fairness and basic human rights."

She continued: "We have an obligation to educate every student and support every family in this District - we can not stand by while the right to marry for all is threatened."

She has also opposed a parental notification abortion law, and even gave over $10,000 dollars to help elect President Obama.

A request for comment from Loyola had not been returned at press time.

Loyola Law School has previously had California Attorney General Bill Lockyer as commencement speaker. Lockyer had attacked a federal law signed by President Bush that denied federal funding to states that discriminate against health organizations that do not provide abortions or abortion referrals.

To respectfully contact Loyola Marymount University's President:

Loyola Marymount University
Fr. Robert Lawton, S.J., President
rlawtonsj@lmu.edu

Notre Dame Anti-Military, Pro-Gay Protesters Let Go; Pro-Lifers Still Face Fines, Imprisonment

2010-04-23T09:46:00.002-04:00

The fact is that Notre Dame is not only no longer a Catholic institution, opting instead to adopt secular "morality" in cases like abortion and gay marriage. But it also has taken action against those who would call them out for their anti-Catholic actions. They have not only embraced dissent but have entered into the realm of persecution. - ITH

By Kathleen Gilbert and John Jalsevac

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, April 22, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - While numerous pro-life protesters who were arrested for trespassing at the University of Notre Dame last year continue to face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine, anti-military and pro-gay demonstrators who were previously arrested on campus had their charges dropped, according to a shocking new investigation by the Sycamore Trust. Furthermore, the president of the University, Fr. John Jenkins, has reportedly refused to discuss the disparate treatment.
William Dempsey, Notre Dame alumnus and president of the Sycamore Trust, notes in the organization's latest bulletin that Jenkins has responded to inquiries about the pro-lifers (who were arrested last May while peacefully protesting Obama’s commencement speech and honorary degree) by saying that, "The University cannot have one set of rules for causes we oppose, and another more lenient set of rules for causes we support. We have one consistent set of rules for demonstrations on campus – no matter the cause."
While Notre Dame does not have power to drop the charges, the University's recommendation to dismiss would likely carry great weight with the St. Joseph County prosecutor.
Dempsey says that "we doubted that any organization would saddle itself with such an inflexible policy." Hence, his organization set about investigating how past trespassers have been treated.
It turns out that members of the pro-gay group Soulforce, and Catholic Worker anti-ROTC demonstrators, who were arrested for trespassing on campus in March 2007, were let off scot free. Dempsey says that he interviewed participants in each case, who "all state that, after they were taken into custody and processed on the campus, they were released and heard nothing more." It is unclear whether the decision not to pursue the cases further was made by the university or the district prosecutors, although the Trust suggests that it originated with the university.
Having related the information to Notre Dame, says Dempsey, a spokesman replied that "this exchange is no longer serving any purpose from our perspective, and, as a result, we have decided to discontinue communications with you on this topic."
After writing Fr. Jenkins, the Trust reported that "his brief response was not encouraging."
"He seconded the spokesman’s termination of the discussion and he characterized as 'not warranted' unidentified 'inferences' and 'assumptions' in Bill Dempsey’s wide-ranging exchanges with the University spokesman, but he did not dispute the facts respecting the Soulforce and Catholic Workers arrests."
"The stark facts, then," the Trust alleges, "are that the University has treated pro-gay and anti-military demonstrators far more generously than pro-life demonstrators and that it declines to explain why.
"The mystery of the University’s attitude toward the pro-life demonstrators deepens."
The bulletin further points out how the prosecution of the pro-life "Notre Dame 88" can and already has wreaked havoc on the defendants' lives, even prior to sentencing: the Trust reports that one defendant and her husband have already been declined as foster parents thanks to the trespassing charges.
"The University’s position is bewildering, for there are many compelling reasons for the University to recommend to the prosecutor that he drop these cases," notes the group. "The University’s stance obviously impairs Father Jenkins’s post-Obama efforts to shore up Notre Dame’s pro-life credentials. The demonstrators are intensely dedicated and include many notably sympathetic individuals."
"The question, then, is why the University persists in endorsing these prosecutions."

To sign a petition to free the ND 88, click here.
For University of Notre Dame contact information, click here.
See recent LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Notre Dame Releases New Pro-Life Statement after Obama Dust Up
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10041310.html
Document Reveals Inconsistencies in ND's Jenkins Claims on ND88
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/feb/10020811.html
Scheidler: Jenkins Remains Utterly Immovable on ND 88
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10012505.html
URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/apr/10042208.html

Jesuit U. of Detroit Mercy Criticized for Keeping Pro-Abort Nun Board Member

2010-04-15T18:44:00.001-04:00

DETROIT, Michigan, April 15, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The University of Detroit Mercy, a Jesuit Catholic institution, has come under fire for failing to remove links to pro-abortion groups on its website, as well as for keeping a renowned pro-abortion, pro-same-sex "marriage" nun on its Board of Trustees.

According to TFP Student Action, at least 11,000 students and concerned parents have petitioned the Catholic University of Detroit Mercy to remove links to abortion promoters from its web site. So far the request has not been granted.

Links to Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women (NOW) are still listed in two places: "career & professional resources" and "external sites of interest."

TFP Student Action has vowed to continue peacefully protesting the school.

"The average internet savvy webmaster could remove these pro-abortion links with ease in less than five minutes," said the group in a press release. "Yet this Jesuit-Mercy university has not removed them so far, thus giving scandal to students who are faithful to Catholic teaching on abortion."

The student advocacy group suggested that the school's insistence in keeping the links may be related to the presence of Sr. Margaret Farley, a Sister of Mercy, on its Board of Trustees. Farley, who earned her Ph.D. at Yale Divinity School, was one of 40 Catholic religious who infamously signed a 1984 statement by "Catholics for Choice" upholding abortion as justifiable from a Catholic standpoint. Several of the co-signers were subsequently excommunicated.

Since then, Farley has published her dissention from Catholic Church teaching on several key issues, including abortion, homosexuality, same-sex "marriage," masturbation, sterilization, divorce, and women priests. Many of these viewpoints are available in her 2006 book "Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics," in which Farley challenges the "simpler ways of interpreting human experience" of traditional Catholic values on marriage and sexuality, with a new framework for "just" sexual gratification outside of marital relations and family life.

Another co-signer of the "Catholics for Choice" ad, long-time Detroit Mercy faculty member Prof. Jane Schaberg, is a radical feminist and author of the book, “The Illegitimacy of Jesus.”

“What type of faith-damaging message does this send to Catholic college students?" questioned TFP Student Action. "How can we expect the next generation to respect innocent life when professors like Dr. Jane Schaberg and board members like Sister Farley publicly reject Church teaching and Natural Law on procured abortion?"

U. of Detroit Mercy did not respond to LifeSiteNews.com's request for comment as of press time.

Contact:

President Rev. Gerard L. Stockhausen, S.J., Ph.D.
University of Detroit Mercy
4001 West McNichols Road
Detroit MI 48221-3038

phone 313.993.1455
fax 313.993.1534
gstock@udmercy.edu

In Wake of V-Monologues and 'Sex Positive' Week, Georgetown Students Vote to Fund Pro-Abortion Panel

2010-03-23T12:49:00.001-04:00

In early March, the Student Activities Commission (SAC) of Georgetown University, a Jesuit, Catholic university, voted in favor of funding an abortion “rights” panel on campus, according to The Hoya. Earlier the university partially funded "Sex Positive Week" and held performances of "The Vagina Monologues."

“While Catholics the world over are engaged in penance, prayer and alms giving during this Lenten season, students at America's oldest Catholic university have participated in a perverse series of events that vividly reminds us why our culture is in such trouble” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society.

The Hoya article said the pro-abortion event would feature three male panelists in favor of abortion “rights” speaking on the role of men in the pro-abortion movement. It would be sponsored by a new coalition recently formed by United Feminists and H*yas for Choice called “Plan A: Hoyas for Reproductive Justice”.

The Plan A event was initially denied a request for University support in a Feb. 24 letter from Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olsen. He wrote: “Through its speech and expression of policy, the university provides students the opportunity to participate in a dialogue on a wide range of issues.” He continued, “As a Catholic and Jesuit institution, however, Georgetown cannot support organizations whose stated purpose conflicts with Catholic moral teaching.”

According to The Hoya, since SAC voted in early March to allocate $175 for the Plan A event to United Feminists, which is university funded, there has been no official University statement in response.

Plan A’s group website reads, “Plan A: Hoyas for Reproductive Justice is a coalition of students dedicated to changing the way that Georgetown University approaches issues of reproductive justice and choice.”

According to the blog of the Georgetown Voice, Plan A started its events on March 21 with the panel discussion, which was the first event in Georgetown history to not include the pro-life argument in an open discussion of abortion. Members of the panel included representatives of the National Abortion Federation, Choice USA and GU Men Creating Change. They “spoke about the importance of male involvement in the pro-choice movement, why male involvement is especially important to the pro-choice movement now, and how Georgetown students can lobby the school to fund more similar events.”

A member of Plan A reportedly said that Sunday’s panel discussion was the only event funded by Georgetown University in the overall Choice Week which is now taking place, also according to the Georgetown Voice blog.

The pro-abortion panel discussion was not the first time this semester that Georgetown students have organized activities that directly undermine fundamental Catholic values or teachings. In early February, the SAC voted to approve funding for parts of Sex Positive Week, which CNS harshly criticized last year. Among the events this year that received funding and/or approval were “Virginity and Losing It,” “Disability and Sexuality,” and “God and the Erotic.”

The Cardinal Newman Society reported in its March 2010 Campus Notes newsletter that Georgetown University was among the Catholic colleges and universities that were listed as holding a production of the vile play The Vagina Monologues. The play favorably describes lesbian activity, group masturbation and the reduction of sexuality to selfish pleasure. Performances at Catholic colleges and universities are down to 14 in 2010 from 32 in 2003.

According to the website of V-Day, the sponsor organization for the Monologues, performances for the Spring 2010 semester were also scheduled at the following institutions which claim a Catholic identity: Barry University, College of the Holy Cross, College of Saint Benedict, College of Saint Rose, DePaul University, Fordham University, John Carroll University, Loyola University of Chicago, Regis College, Saint Mary’s College of Cal., Seattle University, and the University of San Francisco. In addition, a student newspaper at Boston College reported that the play was hosted on that campus.

The University of Notre Shame

2010-03-08T07:04:00.006-05:00

It’s understandable that student newspapers at public universities are left-leaning. The advisors of the papers are usually left-leaning and they often have a left-leaning administration leaning on them. So their coverage of issues like abortion and homosexuality is often skewed. But private religious universities once provided a safe haven for those who wished to express views not approved by the immoral minority. It’s tough to comprehend the extent to which they have fallen prey to political correctness in recent years.

The Observer, the student newspaper at the University of Notre Dame, has shown that our nation’s Catholic universities no longer provide an escape from the politically correct orthodoxy running rampant on our nation’s public campuses. And the paper has shown a remarkable contempt for intellectual honesty – not to mention the Ninth Commandment.

The Observer declined to print a column that defends Church teachings on homosexual activity, which was written by Charles Rice - a Notre Dame Professor of Law. Rice has written a regular column with the Observer for nearly two decades.

At 996 words, Professor Rice’s column is a little long. At first, Observer Editor Matt Gamber used the column’s length as an excuse for non-publication. The excuse sounded credible but, after doing a little research, I’ve concluded that his excuse is an outright lie.

When Barack Obama came to speak at Notre Dame, Professor Rice wrote an 1172-word column, which harshly criticized his appearance as at odds with the school’s principles. Note to Matt Gamber: An 1172-word column is longer than a 996-word column. That much is as clear and obvious as the Bible’s teachings on homosexuality.

But, now, Matt Gamber is saying that the subject matter of homosexuality could best by handled by printing opposing views on the subject. But why must a student newspaper at a Catholic university censor Professor Rice in the absence of some “opposing viewpoint”? And what are the implications of this new policy?

If Professor Rice decides to write a column opposing polygamy, will the Observer withhold its publication until someone submits a pro-polygamy column?

If Professor Rice decides to write a column opposing incest, will the Observer withhold its publication until someone submits a pro-incest column?

If Professor Rice decides to write a column opposing adultery, will the Observer withhold its publication until someone submits a pro-adultery column?

Finally, if Professor Rice decides to write another column opposing abortion, will the Observer withhold its publication until someone submits a pro-abortion column?

The answers to my four hypothetical questions follow: No, no, no, and no.

And the reason for the pattern is simple: The Observer carves out a special “opposing viewpoint” exception for homosexuality because the Observer is intensely homophobic.

And the reason for the intense homophobia manifested by Matt Gamber and the Observer is also simple: Homosexuals are less tolerant of criticism than any other portion of the American population, including feminists and Muslims.

But the consequences of homosexual intolerance are not as simple. They are twofold: 1) Homosexual intolerance tends to result in the suppression of contrary views, and 2) Such intolerance tends to make others fearful of talking to homosexuals. In other words, homosexual intolerance actually promotes homophobia.

The present situation at Notre Dame is damaging to both sides of the debate. The Observer should allow Professor Rice to present his views (as unthinkable as it may seem to present the views of the Catholic Church at a Catholic university). Then, they may decide whether the views of the opposition warrant publication.

I believe the other side should be presented after Professor Rice’s column is printed if someone at Notre Dame actually thinks the Holy Bible is unclear on the issue. If they do, the Notre Dame community will wind up with a greater appreciation of the truth via its juxtaposition with falsity.

But the prior restraint of the views of Professor Rice is not defensible. While not a technical violation of the First Amendment – Notre Dame is a private school - it is an assault on both Catholicism and common sense. And it leaves many Catholics wondering whether there is any safe haven in this land that once placed religious liberty above political correctness.

Notre Dame Paper Snubs Prof's Column Upholding Church Teaching on Homosexuality

2010-03-04T10:56:00.002-05:00

My take: It's time to recognize that Notre Dame is no longer Catholic. To declare so is the only leverage the bishop has. Notre Dame is an insult to observant Catholics, the Bishop, the Pope and most importantly to Our Lady for whom it is named.

By Kathleen Gilbert

Updated 6:18pm EST 3.3.2010

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 3, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The editor of the University of Notre Dame's campus newspaper has refused to publish an installment of a former ND professor's biweekly column because he said the column, which defended the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality, required a "differing viewpoint" as a counterbalance.

Dr. Charles Rice, Professor Emeritus of law and faculty member, resigned writing for the column after receiving an email from the editor of the Observer, who explained that his most recent column had been rejected due in part to its pro-family content. In his column, Rice cited the Catechism to lay out the Church's teaching against homosexuality, and explained that homosexuality's current push for legitimacy was a natural consequence of the contraceptive mentality.

Rice, who spoke with LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) about the matter today, has written for the "Right or Wrong?" column since 1992.

“I personally had some concerns with the content of the column," Editor Matt Gamber told Rice in an email, "particularly considering The Mobile Party comic incident earlier in the semester at The Observer." Gambler was referring to a cartoon published in the Observer that was seen as degrading to homosexuals.

Gambler said Rice's piece was "factually correct," but that he "did not feel it lent itself to creating a productive discussion, all things considered. I was a bit concerned with certain language as well."

Gambler continued: “In the future, if you would like to examine this topic, we thought it might be beneficial to do so in a point-counterpoint format, perhaps with an author of an opposing or differing viewpoint. That way, each ‘side,’ to speak, would have the opportunity to present relevant facts, evidence and analysis to define its position.”

In response, Dr. Rice stated that, “ In a university that claims to be Catholic, I am not willing to restrict my presentation of Catholic teaching to a format that treats the authoritative teaching of the Church as merely one viewpoint or ‘side’ among many."

"If you require that future columns of mine on homosexuality comply with a format such as you propose, it will be inappropriate for me to continue writing the column for the Observer.”

The editor also cited the column's length, which he said "far exceeded" the newspaper's guidelines; Rice, however, responded that the column "is in fact significantly shorter than each of the three previous columns published this semester in the Observer. I was not asked to shorten any of them.”

The column by Dr. Rice laid out the "governing principles as found in the teaching of the Catholic Church" regarding homosexuality. Rice cites the Catechism to explain that the Church considers homosexual conduct to be "acts of grave depravity," and that while the inclination to homosexual acts is not a sin, it is also intrinsically disordered.

While "unjust discrimination" against homosexuals is wrong, he notes, this "does not rule out the making of reasonable and just distinctions with respect to military service, the wording of university nondiscrimination policies and other matters including admission to seminaries."

The encroaching viewpoint of homosexuality as legitimate, Rice points out, is "a predictable consequence of the now-dominant contraceptive ethic," which deliberately separates the unitive aspect of sex from the procreative.

"Further," Rice notes, "if individual choice prevails without regard to limits of nature, how can the choice be limited to two persons?

"Polygamy (one man, multiple women), polyandry (one woman, multiple men), polyamory (sexual relations between or among multiple persons of one or both sexes) and other possible arrangements, involving the animal kingdom as well, would derive legitimacy from the same contraceptive premise that justifies one-on-one homosexual relations."

In a subsequent email to Rice, Gambler stated that he did not wish "to question the Church teachings or argue the points you presented in your essay, but rather, because the paper is still recovering from the incident with The Mobile Party comic, we would prefer to examine this issue at a later time."

Notre Dame, which hosts a gay-friendly student group on its campus, has been known to host pro-homosexuality viewpoints with some regularity.

Last April, Notre Dame launched a series of events known as "StaND Against Hate Week" designed to promote an "inclusive spirit" for homosexuality.

"The whole thing is - I think 'disappointing' is a mild term," Rice told LSN, adding that he did not plan to respond to Gambler's latest email.

(Read Prof. Rice's full column here.)

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Notre Dame Announces Homosexual-Themed Events for Easter Week
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041402.html

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/mar/10030310.html

National Catholic Education Conference Keynoter is Pro-abortion, Pro-Sodomy Liberal Garrison Keillo

2010-02-28T16:37:00.000-05:00

2/28/2010 10:50:00 AM

By Florence Sebe

Yes. You read that right.

Keynote speaker for the National Catholic Education Association convention in Minneapolis, April 6-8, 2010, is none other than Garrison Keillor -- "author, storyteller, and host of Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion."

http://www.ncea.org/UserFiles/File/Convention/10_MN_Prelim_Program_v6.pdf

Garrison Keillor is also outspokenly and publically pro-abortion and pro-sodomy. In his own words:

http://www.nathancallahan.com/garrison2.html

http://www.publicradio.org/columns/prairiehome/the_old_scout/archives/2009/09/29/stuck_in_the_shallows.shtml

What is a man, who personally and professionally works against the teaching of the Catholic Church, doing at a national Catholic education conference -- much let alone as a keynote speaker? (And if you ante up, you can participate in the private meet-and-greet photo op, too!)

Ask the question! Demand accountability!

Below are contacts for the NCEA and the USCCB Secretariat of Education. Dr. Ristau, President of the NCEA is also a member of the Education Secretariat for the USCCB.

Additional Contact Information:

Dr. Karen Ristau, President

National Catholic Education Association

president@ncea.org

NCEA Executive Committee

Stephanie Welling, Chairman

swelling@archstl.org

Frederick S. Lenz, Jr.

flenzjr@aol.com

Sr. Donna Marie O'Brien, OP

dmobrienop@hotmail.com

Sandra Leatherwood

sleatherwood@catholic-doc.org

Henry A. Sorbet, Jr.

hsorbet@lcpa.org

Craig A. Kubiak

kubiak@kubiaklawoffice.com

Sir Thompson M. Faller, Ph.D.

faller@up.ed

Anne Wuycheck

wuycheck@cox.net

Br. Lawrence Harvey, CFX

lharvey@xaverianbrothers.org

Br. Celestine Algero, SC, Ed.D.

algeroc@mcgill.pvt.k12.al.us

Regina M. Haney, Ed.D.

haney@ncea.org

D. Michael Coombe, M.Div.

mcoombe@ncea.org

USCCB Secretariat for Education

Most Reverend Thomas J. Curry

info@la-archdiocese.org Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

Members

Most Reverend Oscar Cantú mailbox@archsa.org

Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio

Most Reverend John C. Dunne bishopsoffice@drvc.org

Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre

Most Reverend Walter J. Edyveanhttp://www.bostoncatholic.org/West.aspx

Auxiliary Bishop of Boston

Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainerhttp://home.catholicweb.com/lexingtonbishop/index.cfm/contact

Bishop of Lexington

Most Reverend Francis J. Kane

Auxiliary Bishop

Archdiocese of Chicago

Vicar for Vicariate II

1641 W. Diversey Pkwy.

Chicago, IL 60614

Phone: 773-388-8670

Fax: 773-388-8676

Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden Bjmcfadd@adphila.org

Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Most Reverend Richard E. Patescommunications@dmdiocese.org

Bishop of Des Moines

Most Reverend John C. Wester shirley.mares@dioslc.org

Bishop of Salt Lake City

Bishop Consultant

Most Reverend Michael J. Sheridan egriffith@diocs.org

Bishop of Colorado Springs

Consultants

Dr. John Convey convey@cua.edu The Catholic University of America

Sr. Mary Elizabeth Galt, BVM

info@la-archdiocese.org Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Jennifer Kraska ccc@cocatholicconference.org Colorado Catholic Conference

Dr. Mary McDonald tallie.hodges@cc.cdom.org Diocese of Memphis

Rev. Martin Moran moran@ccmanet.org Catholic Campus Ministry Association

Dr. Karen Ristau president@ncea.org National Catholic Educational Association

Mary Ellen Russell info@mdcathcon.org Maryland Catholic Conference

Dr. Richard A. Yanikoski accu@accunet.org Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

Staff

Marie A. Powell mpowell@usccb.org Executive Director, Secretariat of Catholic Education

Sr. Suzanne Bellenoit, SSJsbellenoit@usccb.org Associate Director for Public Policy, Secretariat of Catholic Education

Barbara Humphrey McCrabbbmccrabb@usccb.org Assistant Director for Higher Education, Secretariat of Catholic Education

Terry ThamesOGR@usccb.org Associate Director, Office of Government Relations

Had enough pussyfooting? Copy all correspondence to the Papal Nuncio:

His Excellency The Most Reverend Pietro Sambi

The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

The Apostolic Nunciature

3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20008-3687

phone: 202-333-7121

fax: 202-337-4036

His Excellency Archbishop Celestino Migliore

Permanent Observer of the Holy See to The United Nations

25 E. 39th St.

New York, N.Y. 10016-0903

fax: 2l2-370-9622

email: office@holyseemission.org

email: hsmission@holyseemission.org

email: HolySee@un.int

http://www.holyseemission.org/contact_us.html

Note: Archbishops Sambi and Migliore are positioned in the U.S. and are important to notify as they relay news daily back to the Holy See.

NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION CONVENTION PROGRAM

List of Exhibitors is the last page in the PDF.

http://www.ncea.org/UserFiles/File/Convention/10_MN_Prelim_Program_v6.pdf

Study: Female Students More Promiscuous at Catholic Colleges

2010-02-27T10:04:00.001-05:00

Study: Female Students More Promiscuous at Catholic Colleges

Manassas, Va. – A new study concludes that women at Catholic colleges are more promiscuous than their peers at secular colleges, raising new alarms about the state of Catholic higher education.

Another study finds that colleges with strong “moral communities” have a positive influence on students’ religious practice—but Catholic colleges generally lack clarity about the Catholic faith and have the same impact on Catholic students as do public universities.

“The evidence is clear: there is a serious crisis in much of Catholic higher education, and the consequences are real for Catholic families,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “We need to pay more attention to those Catholic colleges that are consistently faithful as models for the renewal of Catholic education.”

Researchers from Mississippi State University looked at a survey of 1,000 college students nationwide and were surprised to find that “women attending colleges and universities affiliated with the Catholic Church are almost four times as likely to have participated in ‘hooking up’ compared to women at secular schools. A “hook up” is defined as a casual physical encounter with a male student, without the expectation of an ongoing relationship.

The researchers consider whether the data challenges the “moral communities” argument, according to which some analyst believe that campus communities with shared moral convictions tend to have a strong moral influence on students.

“At first blush, these results might appear to challenge the ‘moral communities’ thesis,” the researchers write, because students are behaving contrary to Catholic teaching while attending Catholic institutions. “On closer inspection, however, our findings might instead suggest that not all religiously affiliated colleges and universities constitute ‘moral communities.’”

Overall, the study found clear differences in the sexual activity of Catholic students who attend weekly Mass. Whereas 24 percent of Catholic women who attend Mass weekly have “hooked up” (compared to 38 percent of nonreligious students), the rate more than doubles to 50 percent of Catholic women who attend Mass infrequently—far more than their nonreligious peers.

The study was published in the September 2009 issue of the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, but went unnoticed prior to a Religion News Service article on Thursday.

In the same journal issue, Calvin College professor Jonathan Hill reports on his study comparing the experiences of students at Catholic colleges, mainline Protestant colleges, and generally more fervent evangelical colleges. Hill examines student attendance at religious services and finds a marked difference at the more conservative Protestant colleges, where religious convictions are shared and embraced by strong “moral communities.”

At Catholic colleges, however, “annual declines in religious service attendance [are] approximately 2.5 times the rate of students enrolled in public higher education.” The declines are primarily found among non-Catholic Christians, but Catholic students are no more religious than their peers at public universities—a finding that is confirmed by the Georgetown study. Hill attributes the lax religiosity at Catholic colleges to the lack of a “clear, robust, religious tradition on many of these campuses.”

In a report last month, Catholic researchers at Georgetown University found significant declines in Catholic practice and fidelity among students at 34 Catholic colleges in the United States.

Likewise, a 2008 study published by The Cardinal Newman Society found that 46 percent of current and recent students at Catholic colleges nationwide—and 50 percent of female students—said they had engaged in sex outside of marriage. Three out of five agreed strongly or somewhat that premarital sex is not a sin, and 78 percent disagreed strongly or somewhat that using a condom to prevent pregnancy was a serious sin.

# # #

New Study Confirms Crisis in Catholic Higher Education

2010-02-02T09:42:00.002-05:00

Manassas, Va. – Attending a Catholic college has minimal impact on a Catholic student’s practice and embrace of the Catholic faith, according to a new study released Sunday at a gathering of Catholic college presidents in Washington, D.C.

The study was presented to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) by researchers at Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

“Catholics should be alarmed by the significant declines in Catholic practice and fidelity at many of America’s Catholic institutions,” said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. “Everyone expects a Catholic college to be markedly different from a secular one.

Students should be inspired to embrace and deepen their Catholic faith, not negotiate around Catholic moral teaching.”

The CARA study largely confirms a 2003 study released by The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), which found significant declines in students’ support for Catholic moral teaching on abortion, marriage and sexuality after four years at a Catholic college or university. The declines were generally greater at non-Catholic private and public institutions.

According to the CARA report, 16 percent of students at Catholic colleges and universities become more pro-life and more convinced of traditional marriage, whereas 31 percent become more supportive of legal abortion and 39 percent embrace same-sex “marriage.” Only seven percent increase attendance at religious services, while 32 percent reduce attendance. Eight percent of Catholic students leave the Catholic faith while attending a Catholic institution.

But CARA researchers went a step further, considering the potential impact of a variety of demographic factors on students’ support for Catholic teaching. They found that attendance at a Catholic college has no statistically significant effect on a variety of measures, including students’ support for abortion, the death penalty and same-sex marriage. Students report some improvement in attending religious services (not necessarily Catholic), reading about religion and spirituality (not necessarily Catholic) and deeming it “important to improve the human condition”—a concern that is presumably shared outside the Catholic faith.

Commenting on the study to InsideHigherEd.com, ACCU president Richard Yanikoski argued that the loss of faith at Catholic colleges and elsewhere reflects societal trends. Despite CARA’s analysis showing that the choice of a Catholic college has little significant impact on a student’s faith practice and beliefs, Yanikoski pointed to the raw data indicating that “a typical Catholic undergraduate student attending a Catholic college or university emerges more spiritually intact than if she or he had attended a public or secular private institution, but not nearly as spiritually active as would have been the case a few decades ago.”

“That’s hardly something to celebrate,” Reilly said. “If the ACCU thinks it a happy fact that Catholics lose their faith somewhat slower at Catholic colleges than elsewhere, then they fail to appreciate the concerns of faithful Catholic families.”

In the CARA report (found at http://cara.georgetown.edu), authors Mark Gray and Melissa Cidade state their agreement with The Cardinal Newman Society’s assertion in its 2003 report: “Regardless of where students begin their college journey, Catholic colleges should be helping students move closer to Christ, and certainly doing a better job of moving students toward the Catholic faith than secular colleges do.”

In October 2008, The Cardinal Newman Society published a comprehensive study of practices and beliefs of current and recent students at Catholic colleges and universities. The study, conducted by the reputable Washington, D.C., polling firm QEV Analytics, found that:

Nearly 1 in 5 respondents knew another student who had or paid for an abortion.
46% of current and recent students—and 50% of females—said they engaged in sex outside of marriage.
84% said they had friends who engaged in premarital sex.
60% agreed strongly or somewhat that abortion should be legal.
60% agreed strongly or somewhat that premarital sex is not a sin.
78% disagreed strongly or somewhat that using a condom to prevent pregnancy was a serious sin.
57% agreed strongly or somewhat that same-sex “marriage” should be legal.
57% said the experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their participation in Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation.
54% of respondents said that their experience of attending a Catholic college or university had no effect on their support for the teachings of the Catholic Church.
56% said their experience had no effect on their respect for the Pope and bishops.

Both the 2008 and the 2003 CNS reports can be found at www.CatholicHigherEd.org.

Scheidler: Jenkins Remains Utterly Immovable on ND 88

2010-01-26T07:46:00.001-05:00

Says talking to Jenkins about the issue like talking to a "stone"
By James Tillman

WASHINGTON, DC, January 25, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) -- Joseph Scheidler of the Pro-Life Action League says that prior to last week he had sent letters “begging and pleading” for a chance to meet with Father John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame, but he was never given the chance to do so.

So when he saw Father Jenkins at the March for Life in Washington last Thursday, he thought that it was "too good a chance to miss."

Jenkins had agreed to attend this year's March for Life as part of the pro-life measures he began on campus in response to the outcry caused by his invitation of President Obama to speak at last year’s Notre Dame commencement.

However, Jenkins’ announcement that he intended to participate in the March for Life did little to assuage the criticisms of pro-life activists, in large part because of his continued refusal to ask that the charges against the 88 peaceful pro-life protestors who were arrested on the campus last year be dropped.

The 88 pro-lifers face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine if they are found guilty of the charge of trespassing. Currently an online petition effort, demanding that Fr. Jenkins request that the charges be dropped, has been signed by over 5,000 concerned individuals.

However, according to Scheidler, Fr. Jenkins remains obstinate in his refusal to do so, saying that talking to Jenkins about the issue was like talking to a “stone.”

Scheidler told LifeSiteNews (LSN) that he told Fr. Jenkins “that many, many of my friends wanted me to talk to him about removing the charges of the Notre Dame 88. So [Father Jenkins] said, 'Well, now you've told me what they want,' and that was it."

“So I thought, 'Well, that wasn't very good,'” said Scheidler. “So I went back and I said, 'You know, I not only was a student at Notre Dame but I taught at Notre Dame, and I'm very fond of Notre Dame. And I am really concerned that these 88 people were arrested for simply going on the campus doing something that they should do,' or something to that effect. And he said 'Alright, now you've said that.' And he was very off-putting."

Joseph Scheidler is among those listed as "Notable Alumni" on the Notre Dame website. Other Notre Dame alumni are of a similar opinion as Scheidler; according toReplaceJenkins.com donations totaling over $16 million from over 1,500 alumni have been withheld from Notre Dame because of Father Jenkins' actions.

According to Scheidler, the whole impression Father Jenkins gave was that, "You can talk to me all day about this, and my mind's made up."

"I think he's going to stand his ground on this," he continued. "Although, you know, anything could happen. But I wouldn't want to be one of the 88, because they are facing, you know, a possible 6 months in jail and possible 5,000 dollar fine."

"I don't give much hope for any change. ... You might as well have been talking to a stone."
Such inflexibility, according to Scheidler, makes Jenkins' arrival at the March for Life little more than an empty gesture. "Going to the March was a very small payment for having Obama there," Scheidler said, "and nothing for saving these 88 people ... [from] paying for what was not a crime."

"He has said before that it’s out of his hands," he continued. "Well, it's not. He could say 'Drop the charges,' and they'd be dropped."

The problem posed by Father Jenkins’ obstinacy makes Scheidler fear for Notre Dame’s reputation, especially after Jenkins’ recent reelection to another five years in his position. “He's got five more years handed to him,” said Scheidler, “and I have great fears that Notre Dame is going to lose its reputation. It’s losing it fast. And it would be almost impossible to get it back.”

To sign the petition to Free the ND 88, click here.

EWTN.com - Trustee of Catholic College Served as Planned Parenthood Board Member, Received College's Highest Honor

2010-01-26T07:36:00.004-05:00

January 25, 2010

A onetime board member of Planned Parenthood of Western New York serves on the board of trustees of an upstate New York Catholic university, according to the university’s web site. Dr. Ellen E. Grant, who joined St. Bonaventure University’s board of trustees in 2001, is also a recipient of the Gaudete Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the university.

Founded by Franciscan friars in 1858, St. Bonaventure University has 2,406 students, 1,932 of them undergraduates.

Planned Parenthood Clinic Listed on Jesuit University's Student Health Services Site

2010-01-07T07:38:00.001-05:00

Planned Parenthood Clinic Listed on Jesuit University’s Student Health Services Site

January 05, 2010

The web site of the Student Health Services office at Loyola University New Orleans includes Planned Parenthood among its list of local clinics and offers a link to Planned Parenthood of Louisiana and the Misssippi Delta. The university’s web site also notes that students who have taken the sociology department’s capstone course (Sociology Internship/Practicum) “have interned at Planned Parenthood.”

Founded in 1912 by the Jesuit Fathers, Loyola University New Orleans has 4,474 students, 2,658 of whom are undergraduates.

Click here to share this news story with a friend.

Notre Dame's Jenkins Would Do it Again - Calls Obama Visit "Successful"

2010-01-07T07:26:00.003-05:00

By Kathleen Gilbert

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, January 6, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The unprecedented controversy that rent the U.S. Catholic community over President Obama's abortion-themed commencement speech and his reception of an honorary law degree at the University of Notre Dame last May has apparently not fazed the school's president, who called the climax of the scandal "a successful" day that he does not regret.

When asked in a South Bend Tribune interview published December 27 whether he would do it all over again, Notre Dame president Fr. John Jenkins answered, "Yes, I would."

"He is the president of the United States, and there was a tradition of Notre Dame inviting presidents to be commencement speakers and receive honorary degrees, and we continue that tradition," he said. Jenkins went on to point out the historicity of Obama as the nation's first black president, saying it was "an honor for us to welcome him to campus."

"For all the controversy, I think it was a successful day," he said.

The decision to host the President at the Catholic university sparked an immense outpouring of criticism in the weeks leading up to the speech, with 80 active U.S. bishops and over 360,000 petitioners opposed to the decision.

"It's important not to be afraid of controversies. If the issues are addressed with reason and respect, that's the best you can do. And universities, particularly, should be places where controversy can be addressed with reason and mutual respect," Jenkins said. He insisted that "there were things in [Obama's] life and his leadership that we could affirm." Regarding areas of disagreement, especially the President's enthusiastic support for abortion, the day allowed an opportunity to "speak about those differences openly."

"I thought he said things that he'd never said before on the issue of abortion - such as seeking a reasonable conscience clause, such as reducing the number of abortions - and I think it was a day when there was genuine dialogue among people who differed. And that’s really what a university is about," he said.

However, there is a group of individuals who have reason not to be completely satisfied by Jenkins' words about the need for "genuine dialogue": the 88 pro-life individuals who were arrested on campus May 17 while protesting President Obama are still facing up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine on charges of trespassing. While witnesses say pro-Obama protesters were allowed to roam free, the arrested individuals were singled out for displaying any pro-life message - including slogans on the sanctity of life, a large wooden cross, and images of Mary.

Fr. Jenkins has denied pleas from several corners to request that the charges be dropped - a request lawyers say the St. Joseph county prosecutor would likely heed. Fr. Weslin, one of the 88 arrested, called on his fellow priest in June to dialogue over the scandal - a request Jenkins ignored.

Notre Dame law professor emeritus Charles Rice called Jenkins' pursuit of token pro-life initiatives a "mockery" while he allowed the protesters to continue facing charges.

"It would be a mockery for you to present yourself now at the March, even at the invitation of Notre Dame students, as a pro-life advocate while, in practical effect, you continue to be the jailer, as common criminals, of those persons who were authentic pro-life witnesses at Notre Dame," wrote Rice in a September letter to Fr. Jenkins.

In the Tribune interview, Jenkins also touched upon his relationship with the local ordinary, Fort Wayne-South Bend bishop John D'Arcy, who took the unusual step of boycotting the commencment exercises, and instead showed up at a smaller ceremony held by Notre Dame graduates protesting the invitation elsewhere on campus. The Notre Dame president has met with D'Arcy several times since the event, he said, and they remain at loggerheads. He says he has not discussed the issue with Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who will take over for the retiring Bishop D'Arcy in January.

Upon learning of the invitation, about which he had not been consulted, D'Arcy stated last March that "the diocesan bishop must ask whether a Catholic institution compromises its obligation to give public witness by placing prestige over truth," and condemned the appearance of "surrender to a culture opposed to the truth about life and love."

Meeting in June, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a resolution expressing solidarity with Bishop D'Arcy and his "solicitude for [Notre Dame's] Catholic identity."

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/jan/10010609.html

Georgetown law program placed fellowship winner with Planned Parenthood

2009-12-23T17:05:00.003-05:00

The Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program at one of the nation's leading Jesuit universities placed a fellowship winner with the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, according to the university's web site.

Typically, organizations such as Planned Parenthood must apply to the Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program of the Georgetown University Law Center in order to host a fellow. Once the university's fellowship program approves the organization's application, a grant is awarded to the organization so that the fellow can be paid a stipend.

"The Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (WLPPFP) accepts applications from organizations located in the Washington, D.C. area that would like to host a Women's Law Fellow for the upcoming Fellowship year," notes the web site of the Georgetown University Law Center.

"The Women's Law Fellow must be assigned to work on legal and public policy issues affecting the status of women ... If your organization is awarded a Women's Law Fellow, the $37,500 annual stipend will be covered by WLPPFP through a grant to your organization."

"The Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program makes every effort to accommodate the Fellows' placement preferences," notes another university web page. "However, the Program cannot guarantee any particular placement organization, even if an applicant has a prior relationship or connection with an organization involved in legal and policy issues affecting women."

During the 2006-7 academic year, fellowship winner Diana Aguilar worked in the Public Policy Law and Litigation Department of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. According to a university web page:

Fluent in Spanish, Diana has represented her department at two international conferences, one in Peru last fall and one in Colombia this spring. One of her major research projects this year has dealt with an employment discrimination case, where Diana analyzed all of the Title VII Supreme Court cases from the last decade as well as related decisions written by the two new Supreme Court Justices prior to their appointment. In the case at issue, known as In re Union Pacific Railroad Employment Practices Litigation, the plaintiff argued that an employer engages in sex discrimination if it covers prescription drugs in its health insurance plan but refuses to cover prescription contraceptives. Diana has also investigated issues ranging from complex constitutional law principles to the standards for granting a rehearing en banc in federal circuit court litigation. She also reports on the activities of the department for an electronic bi-weekly newsletter.

"Her Fellowship with Planned Parenthood Federation of America," noted another university web page, "is generously supported by the Huber Foundation and the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation."

According to a recent university publication, the fellowship program "celebrates the continued achievements of our outstanding alumni, who strive to improve the lives of women and their families throughout their careers. Our alums constitute a powerful network of experienced and committed lawyers across the United States and Africa ... Diana Aguilar continues to serve as an Associate Staff Attorney with the Public Policy Litigation & Law department at Planned Parenthood Federation of America."

In that capacity, Ms. Aguilar is working to prevent the appearance a ballot initiative that would allow Alaska voters to decide whether minors should inform their parents before having an abortion.

Founded in 1789 by the Jesuits, Georgetown University has 15,318 students, 7,092 of whom are undergraduates.

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

Outreach (Georgetown Law, 2006)
Outreach (Georgetown Law, 2007)
Outreach (Georgetown Law, 2009)
The Women's Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program (Georgetown Law)
Placement Organization Application (Georgetown Law)
Planned Parenthood of Alaska v. Campbell (Center for Reproductive Rights)
Former Planned Parenthood CEO teaches at Georgetown’s nursing school (CWN, 12/22)

Michigan Catholic College Posts Planned Parenthood Job Openings

2009-12-01T19:18:00.003-05:00

Comment: This is about as evil as it gets. "Master, a thief has broken through the gate..."

Michigan Catholic College Posts Planned Parenthood Job Openings

December 01, 2009

The career and counseling services office of a Michigan Catholic college is publicizing a job opening at Planned Parenthood. Aquinas College's career services office posted the position of registered nurse at Planned Parenthood on November 12; the phone number listed as a contact number is that of Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan.

Aquinas College's career services office "aids students in identifying unique skills, abilities, interests, and values in order to establish productive career paths and goals." Founded in 1922 by Dominican sisters, the Grand Rapids-based college has 2,159 students, 1,872 of whom are undergraduates.

In 2005, the college's newsletter had urged readers to "check out the following job opportunity publications available in Career and Counseling Services ... Planned Parenthood Centers of West Michigan, Vice President of Resource Development."

Aquinas College in Grand Rapids is not associated with Aquinas College in Nashville or Thomas Aquinas College in California, both of which appear on the Cardinal Newman Society's list of 21 faithful Catholic colleges.

University of San Francisco to Host Head of Pro-Abortion Amnesty International

2009-10-20T13:53:00.002-04:00

On October 27, the Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Research at the Jesuit, Catholic University of San Francisco (USF) will host a book signing and panel discussion by the head of Amnesty International, despite that organization's 2007 move to promote abortion rights, California Catholic Daily has reported.

"The Catholic Church has made it abundantly clear that the decision of Amnesty International to support abortion is a direct betrayal of its own mission in service of human rights," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). "How sad it is that USF is degrading its Catholic identity by giving a platform to the head of this once-admirable, but now morally compromised organization."

Since 2001, Irene Khan has been the secretary general of Amnesty International, a "human rights" organization founded in 1961. It was under Khan's leadership that the organization changed its official position on abortion from neutrality to support for abortion "rights."

In September of 2006, Bishop William S. Skystad, representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), wrote to Khan in defense of the unborn against the move to a pro-abortion stance.

Also, a statement by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace promised that if Amnesty "persists in this course of action, individuals and Catholic organizations must withdraw their support because, in deciding to promote abortion rights, Amnesty International has betrayed its mission." [emphasis added]

As California Catholic reported, in August 2007, Amnesty's executive committee formally voted to adopt a pro-abortion policy. Concerned for its Catholic identity, another Jesuit college in Sydney, Australia, went so far as to sever ties with the organization. Catholic hierarchs serving as Amnesty members also resigned.

Jesuit Father Daniel Berrigan, a longtime social activist, responded to Amnesty's new pro-abortion stance, stating, "One cannot support an organization financially or even individually that is contravening something very serious in our ethic."

In 2004, the USCCB issued the statement "Catholics in Political Life" which precludes granting a platform such as the one USF intends to give Khan. The statement reads:

"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

The University of San Francisco webpage announcing Ms. Khan's discussion says the event is sponsored by: "the Office of the President, University Ministry, Lane Center for Catholic Studies and Social Thought, and the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good."

The Cardinal Newman Society previously outlined some of the more recent tragic betrayals of USF's Catholic identity in a press release here.

Notre Dame President Fr. Jenkins Gets 2nd Term Despite Catholic Identity Abuses

2009-10-19T13:02:00.000-04:00

On Friday, October 19, 2009, the president of the University of Notre Dame, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., was appointed to a second term as president.

"Notre Dame has suffered terribly in recent years because of a lack of leadership and commitment to its Catholic identity," said Patrick J. Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). "The Board of Trustees has once again neglected their responsibility to uphold Notre Dame's Catholic mission by reelecting a president who has displayed public disrespect for the bishops and has permitted repeated scandals including the honors to President Obama and performances of The Vagina Monologues."

Fr. Jenkins was first elected to a five-year term as president of Notre Dame on April 30, 2004, becoming the university’s 17th president. Chairman Richard Notebaert announced last Friday that the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees elected Fr. Jenkins to serve a second five-year term.

On May 17, 2009, Notre Dame bestowed an honorary doctor of laws degree upon U.S. President Barack Obama, whose pro-abortion and other anti-life policies and statements have set him opposed to fundamental moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

Led by Bishop John D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, in which Notre Dame is located, 83 U.S. bishops vocally opposed the honor for the pro-abortion president. They were joined by the more than 367,000 individuals who signed The Cardinal Newman Society's petition at NotreDameScandal.com, calling on Fr. Jenkins to rescind the honor.

Fr. Jenkins acted in direct defiance of the 2004 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) statement "Catholics in Political Life", which most bishops cited in opposing the honor for President Obama. The statement prohibits Catholic institutions from honoring "those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles." In June, 2009, the USCCB released a statement affirming Bishop D'Arcy's "pastoral concern for Notre Dame University."

The scandalous play The Vagina Monologues has been hosted more than once at Notre Dame on Fr. Jenkins' watch. Despite growing momentum against the play, public opposition by Bishop D'Arcy and an annual CNS campaign informing Catholic college presidents of the dangers of the play, in 2008 Jenkins issued a statement officially approving the return of the Monologues after a one-year hiatus. In protest, a committee of bishops moved their theological seminar off the Notre Dame campus. Although the play did not return in 2009, Fr. Jenkins has not taken any apparent action to prevent future productions.

Fr. Jenkins also sits on the board of Millennium Promise, an anti-poverty organization which reportedly supports the distribution of condoms and encourages abortion services where legal.

In September 2009, Fr. Jenkins issued a statement announcing new pro-life initiatives at the University of Notre Dame. CNS has commended the show of good will, but noted that there are "serious steps that Notre Dame should take immediately to atone for its shocking betrayal of the U.S. bishops and the Catholic Church last spring."

Notre Dame Pays Student Expenses to D.C. March for Gay "Marriage"

2009-10-19T12:44:00.002-04:00

The University of Notre Dame gave financial assistance to five students to participate in Sunday's national gay rights demonstration, which was organized in part to advocate homosexual “"marriage," a campus newspaper has reported.

The "National Equality March" on Sunday, October 11, in Washington, D.C., was sponsored by Equality Across America, which aims to build a national grassroots network asserting homosexual couples' "right to marry" as well as other demands. The Catholic Church believes that marriage is possible only between a man and a woman.

"Faithful Catholics will ask whether Notre Dame has learned its lesson from the scandalous commencement ceremony last spring," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "What university seeking to reassure families of its Catholic identity would pay for students to attack the family and oppose Catholic teachings on marriage?"

Students from Notre Dame's Progressive Student Alliance (PSA) petitioned the Student Activities Office and were granted funding to travel to and participate in the demonstration. The Notre Dame students marched two miles across D.C. and then joined gay rights activists for a Capitol Hill rally.

The president of the Progressive Students Alliance told The Observer, "The fact that we were University-approved was surprising but it was a wonderful surprise. The University hasn't always been entirely receptive in the past."

Read The Observer's article here.

Aquinas Catholic College to Host "All Day Long" Homosexualist Even

2009-10-09T08:08:00.001-04:00

Aquinas Catholic College to Host "All Day Long" Homosexualist Event

By James Tillman

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, October 8, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Aquinas College, a Catholic college located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is planning to hold an event titled "Love is everywhere … AQ Celebrates Human Rights" this coming Monday. The event features showings of multiple movies about homosexuals, a "coming out" story, and "ribbons and face-painting to celebrate our unique differences," according to the college website.

The prospective event will take place "all day long" at various locations and times on the campus.

Founded by Dominican Sisters in 1886, Aquinas College is an institution "rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition," according to its website. It states that on campus "Values, ethics, and morality are explored in the context of Judeo-Christian ethics and Catholic teaching with full respect for other religious traditions, academic freedom, and personal conscience."

Nevertheless, despite professed adherence to the Catholic tradition, the proposed event explores views profoundly contrary to those advanced by the Church.

The two films that will be shown during the event are "Seven Passages - The Stories of Gay Christians," and "Milk." The first movie features characters who advance revisionist interpretations of the scriptural passages that have traditionally been seen as evidence that sodomy is a sin. Conversation with the key players in the film will follow the screening. The second movie is a celebration of the life of Harvey Milk, the murdered homosexual "gay rights" activist elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors.

The event will also have training and information regarding how to be an "'AQ certified' Safe Zone advocate" for the Aquinas College campus. Safe Zones have been established at colleges around the US as areas where homosexuals may feel welcomed and accepted.

The event, in addition to being sponsored by Aquinas' Campus Life, is also sponsored by the student organization The Alliance. The Alliance is described on Aquinas College's website as having the mission of bringing "inclusiveness to the Aquinas College community." The Alliance's facebook page describes itself as "Serving Aquinas' LGBTQIA community by promoting education, tolerance, community, and love in their purest forms. Let's all hug."

The event will also feature a "coming out" story by Dave Craft, facilitator of Allies and Advocates Training. Allies and Advocates Training is designed to bring about a campus climate in which homosexual students feel "respected" and "affirmed."

Aquinas College has been previously been at the center of controversy due to similar issues. In 2008 it cancelled the appearance of John Corvino and his lecture "What's Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?" This lecture "examines and dismantles the most common arguments against homosexual conduct" according to an online biography.
In 2003, the college's commencement speaker was the strongly pro-abortion Roger Wilkins, who has served on NARAL's National Commission on America Without Roe and participated in a Washington, D.C. press conference presenting the commission's report.

A spokesman for Aquinas College declined to comment, disclaiming any detailed knowledge of the event.

Boston College Health Plan Covers 'Family Planning' Services

2009-10-07T13:43:00.006-04:00

New research by The Cardinal Newman Society has uncovered evidence that the student health insurance plan provided by Boston College, a Jesuit institution of Catholic higher education, includes coverage for "family planning" services such as birth control pills.

"Now that it has been uncovered that Boston College is providing unethical coverage to students, college officials should take immediate action to provide students with insurance options that conform to Catholic teachings," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "BC needs to send a strong message, especially after students voted in a referendum last year to petition the college to make contraceptives available on campus."

Contraception and birth control services are explicitly covered under the student health plan, Blue Care Elect Preferred (PPO), which is an optional plan for students provided by Boston College. Although elective abortion is not explicitly stated in the policy, Koster Insurance Agency, Inc., Boston College's insurance agent, could not rule out the possibility that abortions are covered by the policy, according to an article in the Boston College Observer reporting on the Cardinal Newman Society's research.

Although several states--including most recently the State of Wisconsin--require employers and sometimes even Catholic institutions to provide contraceptive coverage in employee health plans, such laws do not mandate student coverage.

The revelations at Boston College stand in stark contrast to the situation at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, which is engaged in religious liberty battle with the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission because the college refuses to cover contraception in its faculty health care plan.

BC Law School in Disarray Over Prof's Defense of Marriage

2009-09-24T15:13:00.002-04:00

(9/24/09) Law dean seems to welcome faculty opposition to Catholic teaching on gay "marriage" and abortion.

On September 15, 2009, StandForMarriageMaine.com released a television ad which featured Scott Fitzgibbon, a professor at Boston College Law School, arguing in defense of marriage between one man and one woman. He encouraged Maine voters to vote "yes" on an upcoming ballot referendum which aims to overturn state legislation which legalized homosexual "marriage" last May.

Complaints from fellow faculty members at Boston College soon began piling up. Merely one day after the ad aired, Boston College Law Dean John Garvey issued a letter to the BC law community, writing, "Several of you have contacted my office to express your anger at Scott's actions, and it is hard for me to see any of our students, faculty, or staff offended or hurt by the words of others."

Rather than praising Fitzgibbon's public defense of a Catholic teaching, Dean Garvey wrote that Fitzgibbon's "public statements represent his own opinions... and do not state any official position of Boston College Law School." Garvey defended Fitzgibbon's participation in the advertisement but also seemed to welcome faculty opposition to Catholic teaching.

"We also have faculty members who hold a contrary view, which they too are free to express publicly," he wrote. "Many have done so while referring to themselves as BC Law professors. One of them has publicly led the fight to oppose the Solomon Amendment on the grounds that it is an affront to gay and lesbian students and prospective members of the U.S. military. Others have taken controversial positions on such subjects as abortion, euthanasia, and the treatment of detainees."

Three days after Fitzgibbon’s pro-traditional marriage ad aired, a group of 76 "Individual Faculty and Administrators at Boston College Law School", including Dean Garvey, issued the following statement: "The undersigned members of the faculty and administration at Boston College Law School feel that it is important to reaffirm our belief in the equality of all of our students. We are proud of the fact that Boston College Law School was one of the first law schools in the country to include sexual orientation in its non-discrimination pledge, and we reaffirm our commitment to making our institution a welcome and safe place for all students, including LGBT students."

Georgetown Law School to Honor AFL-CIO Leader Despite Gay Marriage Advocacy

2009-08-31T09:36:00.003-04:00

On September 3, 2009, Georgetown University, a Jesuit, Catholic institution in Washington, D.C., plans to bestow upon AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, despite his organization's advocacy for homosexual "marriage" and laws mandating employee insurance coverage for contraceptives.

"The Catholic bishops have made it abundantly clear that Catholic universities are not to publicly honor leading opponents of Catholic moral principles," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). "We strongly urge Georgetown to uphold its Catholic mission and rescind the honor to John Sweeney."

Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia, on August 24, issued an e-mail invitation to all faculty, staff and students of Georgetown's law school "to attend the ceremony for the conferral of the degree Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, upon John J. Sweeney," president of the AFL-CIO.

In March 2009, the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations), the largest federation of trade unions in the U.S., unanimously called on the California Supreme Courtto invalidate Proposition 8, which amended that state’s constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

The AFL-CIO constituency group Pride at Work has repeatedly promoted homosexual "marriage" and hailed laws in Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts and Vermont in the face of strong opposition from the Catholic Church.

Another AFL-CIO constituency group, the Coalition of Labor Union Women, launched its "Contraceptive Equity Project" in 2001 to demand that employers provide health insurance coverage for prescription contraceptives. The group advocates state laws forcing employers to fund such coverage.

In December 2001, a resolution was approved at the AFL-CIO national convention calling for a "national law that codifies the EEOC and District Court rulings, making coverage for contraceptives available under health care plans on the same terms that the plans cover other drugs, devices, and preventive care for employees."

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently ruled that Belmont Abbey College, a faithfully Catholic college in North Carolina that is recommended in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College, discriminates against women by refusing to insure contraceptives. The Cardinal Newman Society blasted the ruling in a letter to EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart Ishimaru, noting the terrible irony that the EEOC--which is the federal agency responsible for protecting Americans against discrimination--is itself guilty of "an inexcusable violation of religious liberty."

Also just last week, the Catholic bishops of Wisconsin issued a statement expressing "deep concern" about a state budget provision that would force Catholic dioceses, parishes and other institutions that purchase health insurance to cover contraceptives in direct violation of Catholic teaching.

When the University of Notre Dame similarly honored pro-abortion President Barack Obama last May, the action drew protests from 83 U.S. bishops and more than 367,000 individuals who signed The Cardinal Newman Society's online petition.

Most of these bishops cited the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2004 statement "Catholics in Political Life," which reads:

"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

"Georgetown University's public defiance and betrayal of its Catholic mission will be no great surprise to Catholics who have long prayed for a renewal of Catholic identity," Reilly said. "In the last semester alone, Georgetown covered up the name of Jesus for a lecture by President Obama and hosted 'Sex Positive Week' featuring a pornographic film director."

Bishop D'Arcy says Notre Dame must answer for honoring Obama

2009-08-31T09:25:00.002-04:00

Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug 25, 2009 / 11:35 am (CNA).- Bishop John M. D'Arcy, whose diocese encompasses the University of Notre Dame, is not letting the issues raised by the university's honoring of President Obama lie dormant. Instead, the Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend has penned a poignant article for the upcoming edition of America magazine that calls on the renowned university to evaluate the consequences of its failure to respect the authority of the bishops.

In an article that will be the cover story of the Jesuit-run America magazine on August 31, bishop D'Arcy writes that "as summer plays itself out on the beautiful campus by the lake where the young Holy Cross priest, Edward Sorin, C.S.C., pitched his camp 177 years ago and began his great adventure, we must clarify the situation that so sundered the church last spring: What it is all about and what it is not about."

According to the bishop, who had asked Notre Dame's president, Fr. John Jenkins, not to honor Obama, "it is not about President Obama... It is not about Democrats versus Republican... It is not about whether it is appropriate for the president of the United States to speak at Notre Dame or any great Catholic university on the pressing issues of the day."

The response of the faithful, Bishop D'Arcy writes, "is not about what this journal [America magazine] called 'sectarian Catholicism.' Rather, the response of the faithful derives directly from the Gospel."

The real question posed by the situation is whether or not a Catholic university has a responsibility to give a public witness to the faith, D'Arcy states. "If not, what is the meaning of a life of faith? And how can a Catholic institution expect its students to live by faith in the difficult decisions that will confront them in a culture often opposed to the Gospel?" he wonders.

"In its decision to give its highest honor to a president who has repeatedly opposed even the smallest legal protection of the child in the womb, did Notre Dame surrender the responsibility that Pope Benedict believes Catholic universities have to give public witness to the truths revealed by God and taught by the church?" the bishop also asks.

Bishop D'Arcy then takes Notre Dame to task for its multi-year sponsorship of the play "The Vagina Monologues."

"Although he spoke eloquently about the importance of dialogue with the president of the United States, the president of Notre Dame chose not to dialogue with his bishop on these two matters, both pastoral and both with serious ramifications for the care of souls, which is the core responsibility of the local bishop," he says.

"Both decisions," Bishop D'Arcy reveals, "were shared with me after they were made and, in the case of the honorary degree, after President Obama had accepted."

Noting that he has "never interfered in the internal governance of Notre Dame or any other institution of higher learning within the diocese," D'Arcy explains that "the diocesan bishop must ask whether a Catholic institution compromises its obligation to give public witness by placing prestige over truth."

"The failure to dialogue with the bishop brings a second series of questions," he says.

"What is the relationship of the Catholic university to the local bishop? No relationship? Someone who occasionally offers Mass on campus? Someone who sits on the platform at graduation?"

"Or is the bishop the teacher in the diocese, responsible for souls, including the souls of students--in this case, the students at Notre Dame? Does the responsibility of the bishop to teach, to govern and to sanctify end at the gate of the university?"

"In the spirit of Ex Corde Ecclesiae," he says, "I am proposing these questions for the university."

Bishop D'Arcy then points to the strong spiritual life of many of the faculty members and students at the university, and acknowledges that "the theology department has grown in academic excellence over the years, strengthened by the successful recruiting of professors outstanding in scholarship, in their knowledge of the tradition and in their own living of the Catholic faith."

"Yet," he adds, "the questions about the relationship of the university as a whole to the church still stand, and what happened on campus leading up to and during the graduation is significant for the present debate about Catholic higher education."

Regarding the large number of students and faculty opposed to Obama's commencement address and honoring, the bishop says that America magazine "and others in the media, Catholic and secular, reporting from afar, failed to make a distinction between the extremists on the one hand, and students and those who joined in the last 48 hours before graduation. This latter group [ND Response] responded with prayer and substantive disagreement. They cooperated with university authorities."

"In this time of crisis at the university," he notes, "these students and professors, with the instinct of faith, turned to the bishop for guidance, encouragement and prayer."

Although he had originally intended to stay away from the graduation ceremony, Bishop D'Arcy writes that "As graduation drew near, I knew I should be with the students. It was only right that the bishop be with them, for they were on the side of truth, and their demonstration was disciplined, rooted in prayer and substantive."

Bishop D'Arcy also takes aim at the university's board of trustees for saying "nothing" when they met in April for their long-scheduled spring meeting.

"When the meeting was completed, they made no statement and gave no advice. In an age when transparency is urged as a way of life on and off campus, they chose not to enter the conversation going on all around them and shaking the university to its roots," he says.

What the board must do is "take up its responsibility afresh, with appropriate study and prayer… with greater seriousness and in a truly Catholic spirit," the bishop urges.

D'Arcy concludes his article by posing some key questions to Notre Dame "and to other Catholic universities."

Bishop D'Arcy asks:

"Do you consider it a responsibility in your public statements, in your life as a university and in your actions, including your public awards, to give witness to the Catholic faith in all its fullness?

"What is your relationship to the church and, specifically, to the local bishop and his pastoral authority as defined by the Second Vatican Council?

"Finally, a more fundamental question: Where will the great Catholic universities search for a guiding light in the years ahead? Will it be the Land O'Lakes Statement or Ex Corde Ecclesiae?"

The Land O'Lakes Statement was signed in July 1967 by a group of Catholic educators led by then University of Notre Dame president Fr. Theodore Hesburgh. The famous Catholic historian Philip Gleason characterized the statement as a "declaration of independence from the hierarchy," adding that it divorced the Catholic university from the life of faith and set in motion the decline in Catholic identity of several major institutions of higher education.

Bishop D'Arcy describes the statement as coming "from a frantic time, with finances as the driving force. Its understanding of freedom is defensive, absolutist and narrow. It never mentions Christ and barely mentions the truth."

"The second text, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, speaks constantly of truth and the pursuit of truth. It speaks of freedom in the broader, Catholic philosophical and theological tradition, as linked to the common good, to the rights of others and always subject to truth."

"On these three questions, I respectfully submit, rests the future of Catholic higher education in this country and so much else," Bishop D'Arcy finishes.

Ten Catholic Colleges that Promote Abortion

2009-06-18T12:01:00.002-04:00

Ten Catholic Colleges that Promote Abortion
BY Tim Drake

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 11:00 AM

Parents wondering what their hard-earned money is supporting at Catholic colleges and universities might be interested in the latest findings from the Cardinal Newman Society.

The organization has discovered 10 Catholic colleges and universities that are promoting student internships with organizations whose missions or activities are directly opposed to the Church's moral teachings on issues related to abortion and marriage.

"Under what definition of 'Catholic education' do students receive academic credit to work for leading pro-abortion organizations?" asked Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society.

The "Dirty Deca" includes the following schools:

Boston College - recommends opportunities for students to work 'pro bono' for the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.

College of St. Benedict & St. John's University - the school's Gender and Women's Studies program promotes internship opportunities with the pro-abortion Feminist Majority Foundation and organizations supporting same-sex marriage.

DePaul University - the institution's Women's and Gender Studies program offers credit for internships, noting that students have interned with abortion provider Planned Parenthood and the Chicago Women's Health Center, which offers emergency contraceptive services and alternative insemination for "lesbians, bisexual, and queer couples, single women of any sexual orientation, and trans people."

Georgetown University - permits students to receive university funding for interning at abortion advocacy organizations.

Loyola University of Chicago - their website lists opportunities for internships and volunteer opportunities at Chicago's National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority Foundation, Planned Parenthood, and the Chicago Abortion Fund.

St. Edward's University - has allowed students to work at NARAL Pro-Choice Texas to fulfill a "Community Service in Women's Studies" credit requirement.

St. Norbert College - - the college's Women's and Gender Studies program recommends internships at several pro-abortion and same-sex marriage promoting organizations, including NOW, Legal Momentum, Planned Parenthood, the National Women's Health Network, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and PFLAG.

University of Notre Dame - the university's Gender Studies program offers internships for academic credit at places such as the National Organization for Women.

University of San Francisco - the school's Media Studies program has promoted internships with the California Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League and Girlfriends Magazine.

To learn more, visit the Cardinal Newman Society.

Jesuit University of San Francisco President Defends Condom Use for Virus Prevention

2009-06-11T14:59:00.003-04:00

Jesuit University of San Francisco President Defends Condom Use for Virus Prevention

The president of the Catholic, Jesuit University of San Francisco (USF), Rev. Stephen Privett, S.J., publicly defended the use of condoms to prevent the HIV/AIDS virus, according to an interview with Catholic San Francisco published June 10.

Last month USF awarded an honorary degree to South African Bishop Kevin Dowling, which was protested by The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) due to Bishop Dowling's dissent from Vatican teaching on condom use and the South African Bishops' Conference's condemnations of his public statements.

"It is the obligation of a Catholic university's president to embrace Catholic teaching as truth and as the solid foundation of the university's Catholic mission," said CNS President Patrick J. Reilly. "It would be unfortunate for a Catholic leader's public statements to echo those who stridently criticized Pope Benedict XVI's plea for healthy, moral and responsible sexual behavior during his recent visit to Africa."

In the interview with Catholic San Francisco prior to the USF commencement, Father Privett reportedly defended the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, despite the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church that condom use is always immoral.

"HIV/AIDS is an epidemic in his [Dowling's] diocese and in whole areas of Africa," Privett says in the article. "I think people need to understand the difference between a condom as a contraceptive and a condom preventing the spread of a deadly virus that is literally killing thousands of people in Africa."

The Cardinal Newman Society has vigorously opposed USF performances of The Vagina Monologues and dissident commencement speakers such as Nancy Pelosi in 2007. Fr. Privett reportedly defends these as well.

"When we bring these speakers onto campus, we don't bring them as spokespersons for a position with which we disagree," Fr. Privett is quoted as saying, blaming critics for failing to consider the totality of student experiences when they accuse USF of not supporting Church teaching.

"They only see the commencement speaker or The Vagina Monologues. They don't see the other 240 days. They're not at Sunday liturgies. They're not at student retreats. It's the tip and not the whole iceberg."

Yet there have been multiple concerns about the University of San Francisco's Catholic identity, including the following in recent years:

- USF's two health insurance plans for employees both provide for abortion, sterilization and contraception. Complaints led USF to drop similar coverage in a student insurance plan, and officials say they are in favor of improving the employee plans, according to reports by Our Sunday Visitor.

- USF's student health clinic stopped referring students to Planned Parenthood for abortions after the practice was revealed in December 2008.

- USF recently dropped its graduate theology program.

- USF hosted the performance of a play that contradicts Church teaching on homosexuality after San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer refused to allow it to be performed at a diocesan parish.

- USF bestowed an honorary degree upon Irish President Mary McAleese, despite her public dissent from Church teaching on the all-male priesthood.

- USF hosted a film festival co-sponsored by the USF Gender and Sexuality Department and a homosexual student club, which featured at least two films which promote abortion and same-sex marriage.

- USF touted on its website a "birth spacing" study produced by students which promoted the use of artificial contraceptives.

Catholic San Francisco reported that USF philosophy professor Raymond Dennehy is among those who believes the Jesuit institution's Catholic identity has eroded under Fr. Privett's leadership. Dennehy said that the dialogue Fr. Privett hopes to encourage is presented in a one-sided manner on campus, with most guest speakers dissenting against Church teaching.

Referring to Bishop Dowling's honorary degree, Dennehy said, "Dialogue is having speakers both pro and con. This is giving an award, and you can bet your bottom dollar that (USF) would not do that if (the speaker) were anti-gay marriage."

From Spirit Daily

2009-06-05T08:21:00.005-04:00

FROM THE MAIL: EXAMPLES OF TEACHING AT 'CATHOLIC' SCHOOLS DEMAND URGENT ACTION

The controversy over Notre Dame (allowing President Barack Obama, a pro-choice advocate, to speak at its commencement, and more to the point, awarding him an honorary degree) raised questions about what else Catholic colleges are allowing.

Indeed, commencement speakers are but the tip of the iceberg -- as our viewers can attest.

In one case, it was recalled that a priest named Matthew Fox taught at Holy Names, a small Catholic college in Oakland, for 12 years -- until 1996 -- despite his rejection of basic Catholic teachings, his extraordinarily unorthodox beliefs (he taught in a room with a skylight, expecting UFOs), and the fact that he worked with a practicing witch (who instructed priests, while Father Fox was big with nuns)

The examples, allegedly, and unfortunately, are multitudinous.

"My daughter just finished her first year at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska," wrote Pam Percival of Nevada. "When her father and I visited the college before her enrollment, we were impressed by the positive, upbeat attitudes of the students and many signs of faith around the campus. The address to the parents given by Father John P. Schlegel, S. J., was no less impressive -- assuring the parents that he would not let us down.

"It wasn't long, however, that we realized that we had a serious problem to deal with: our daughter was losing her faith.

"We were hearing about all the drinking parties, alcohol and boyfriends overnight in the dorms. My daughter began to miss attending some Sunday Masses at first -- and then it became the norm. She told me that not many people went, 'The church is almost empty.' Never mind going to Confession! While she was living at home, she had never missed a Sunday Mass unless she was sick.

"In addition to having her attend CCD classes, I had taught her all that I could about her Catholic Faith from good traditional Catholic resources. Now her Theology Professor, a Protestant gentleman, teaching 'Christianity in Context,' was refuting things that I had taught her. She said he made her feel like a fool. One such argument was about the contents of the Ark of the Covenant (the staff of Aaron, the manna, and the Ten Commandments) -- and how these items prefigured Jesus, His priesthood, and the Holy Eucharist. He was teaching the students that no one ever knew what was in the Ark of the Covenant and that it didn't matter anyway!"

From a Boston College alumnus, Alice Slattery, come distressing details about a male theology professor who is allegedly "married" to another man.

He teaches a course in spirituality and sexuality!

Boston College seems to be a case in need of Rome's special attention.

For 33 years, a woman named Mary Daly taught there, and that would be okay if she was not a radical anti-male activist (she believes the number of males on the planet must be reduced) and advocates research on parthenogenesis -- the growth and development of an embryo or seed without fertilization by a male.

She is perhaps best known for her second book, Beyond God the Father (1973).

"Ex-nun Mary Daly teaches lesbian witchcraft," noted a major Catholic news site. "She has written several books, including the anti-male and anti-Catholic Beyond God the Father andWickedary, a dictionary of sorts for witches.

"In Wickedary, Daly provides definitions as well as chants that she says can be used by women to free themselves from patriarchal oppression," notes Wikipedia.

"She also explores the labels that she says patriarchal society places on women to prolong what she sees as male domination of society.

In Wickedary, notes Catholic Culture, Daly defines the Beatific Vision as: "the 'face to face' vision of god in patriarchal heaven promised as a reward to good Christians; an afterlife of perpetual Boredom: union/ copulation with the 'Divine Essence'; the final consummate union of the Happy Dead Ones with the Supreme Dead One."

Daly believes, apparently, that it's the role of women to unveil the "liberatory" nature of labels such as "Hag," "Witch," and "Lunatic," we learn. She was dismissed for not allowed males into a course she taught.

"I went to Boston College from 1976 to 1980," says a viewer named Benjamin S. Joyce of Cape Cod. "I took a theology course in 'liberation theology' by Dr. James Fowler, Harvard Divinity, in the fall of 1976 (I think this was before John Paul II 'condemned' it). My friend was told by [a Jesuit in the department], 'Let me let you in on a secret, Hell doesn't exist.'"

"Sadly my alma mater, the University of San Diego, falls into this category of Catholic in name only," writes another viewer named Sandy. "Not long ago, the head of the theology department was a homosexual; there is a 'pride' club on campus. The list of 'atrocities' at USD is a long one.

"We were taught by the nuns of the Sacred Heart, and forty years ago the environment was a truly Catholic one and contributed to the spiritual formation that I treasure. There is an exceptionally beautiful chapel on the grounds of what was the College for Women. We would process there in our caps and gowns for every First Friday Mass.

"Can you imagine that happening today!"

"A 'feminist theologian' who thinks that God can be called 'Gaia,' after the Roman mother-earth goddess, has accepted a one-year honorary professorship at the University of San Diego, according to an announcement by the school, which describes itself on its web site as 'a Roman Catholic institution,'" reported a Catholic news site.

"Rosemary Radford Ruether will hold the Monsignor John R. Portman Chair in Roman Catholic Theology at USD for the academic year 2009-2010." She is also "a board member for the pro-abortion Catholics for a Free Choice (now Catholics for Choice) organization."

"I agree with your past article in regards to Rome needs to have a faster response to what is happening here with our Catholic Church and universities," wrote yet another, Carolyn Wong. "What do you recommend us lay people do? Do we contact Rome? How? Whom? And do they really listen?

"My son who is in his third year in college was accepted and wanted to attend Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. When we went to tour the college there were signs all over the campus mentioning when the gay and lesbian club would meet!

"I was shocked, and even more shocked that the many of the so-called Catholic parents had no problem with it. I would be better off sending him to a secular college where he would not be attending classes that would corrupt everything the Church has to say, rather than sending him to a Catholic College where the Jesuits would just turn him away from what is right!"

"My daughter is a 1993 graduate of Scranton University," says Chris Dailey of Ocean Pines, Maryland. "Her philosophy professor was an avowed atheist."

"Where does one go when there is no place to go?" asked viewer William E Bauer, PhD, an instructor at Western Nevada College who could find no help in questioning a theology professor who taught atheism.

"Congratulations for your courage to denounce ('the Truth shall set us free') the real issue at Notre-Dame: the subjective teaching of each individual instead of the teaching of the Church," said Eugene Belair from Ontario, Canada. "

"I am now retired but had a career in Catholic education for 31 years as a consultant and a principal and by choice returned to the classroom because I could not suffer any longer the pagan administration of our Catholic board.

"I also wish to make the following point: we, as Catholic believers, are also responsible for permitting and enduring the secularization of our beliefs and institutions."

[see also: What Father Matthew Fox taught]

[resources: The Gold Book of Prayers]

Fr. Jenkins, Notre Dame betrayed true goal of Catholic education, archbishop says

2009-05-19T12:47:00.002-04:00

Fr. Jenkins, Notre Dame betrayed true goal of Catholic education, archbishop says

Denver, Colo., May 18, 2009 / 04:50 pm (CNA).- In a strong statement released today, the Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, blamed Fr. John Jenkins C.S.C and the University of Notre Dame for betraying the true, original goal of Catholic higher education, not only by conferring a degree on President Barack Obama despite his anti-life record, but for attempting a disingenuous justification for the invitation during his commencement speech on Sunday.

Quoting Fr. Jenkins when he said that "I have found that even among those who did not go to Notre Dame, even among those who do not share the Catholic faith, there is a special expectation, a special hope, for what Notre Dame can accomplish in the world;" Archbishop Chaput says that "most graduation speeches are a mix of piety and optimism designed to ease students smoothly into real life. The best have humor. Some genuinely inspire. But only a rare few manage to be pious, optimistic, evasive, sad and damaging all at the same time."

"Father John Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame's president, is a man of substantial intellect and ability. This makes his introductory comments to President Obama's Notre Dame commencement speech on May 17 all the more embarrassing."

The Archbishop of Denver recalls in his statement that the debate over President Obama's appearance at Notre Dame "was never about whether he is a good or bad man. The president is clearly a sincere and able man."

"By his own words, religion has had a major influence in his life. We owe him the respect Scripture calls us to show all public officials. We have a duty to pray for his wisdom and for the success of his service to the common good -- insofar as it is guided by right moral reasoning."

Nevertheless, Archbishop Chaput adds, "we also have the duty to oppose him when he's wrong on foundational issues like abortion, embryonic stem cell research and similar matters. And we also have the duty to avoid prostituting our Catholic identity by appeals to phony dialogue that mask an abdication of our moral witness."

"Notre Dame did not merely invite the president to speak at its commencement. It also conferred an unnecessary and unearned honorary law degree on a man committed to upholding one of the worst Supreme Court decisions in our nation's history," he says.

According to Archbishop Chaput, in doing so, Notre Dame ignored the U.S. bishops' guidance in their 2004 statement, "Catholics in Political Life," ignored "the concerns of Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon, Notre Dame's 2009 Laetare Medal honoree -- who, unlike the president, certainly did deserve her award, but finally declined it in frustration with the university's action. It ignored appeals from the university's local bishop, the president of the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference, more than 70 other bishops, many thousands of Notre Dame alumni and hundreds of thousands of other American Catholics."

"Even here in Colorado -- Chaput says, - I've heard from too many to count."

The Archbishop of Denver claims that "there was no excuse -- none, except intellectual vanity -- for the university to persist in its course."

"And Father Jenkins compounded a bad original decision with evasive and disingenuous explanations to subsequently justify it."

"These are hard words," he admits, "but they're deserved precisely because of Father Jenkins's own remarks on May 17: Until now, American Catholics have indeed had 'a special expectation, a special hope for what Notre Dame can accomplish in the world.' For many faithful Catholics -- and not just a 'small but vocal group' described with such inexcusable disdain and ignorance in journals like Time magazine -- that changed Sunday."

Archbishop Chaput finds in the May 17 events "some fitting irony."

"Almost exactly 25 years ago, Notre Dame provided the forum for Gov. Mario Cuomo to outline the 'Catholic' case for 'pro-choice' public service."

"At the time, Cuomo's speech was hailed in the media as a masterpiece of American Catholic legal and moral reasoning. In retrospect, it's clearly adroit. It's also, just as clearly, an illogical and intellectually shabby exercise in the manufacture of excuses."

The archbishop also notes that "Father Jenkins' explanations, and President Obama's honorary degree, are a fitting national bookend to a quarter century of softening Catholic witness in Catholic higher education."

"Together," he adds in his statement, "they've given the next generation of Catholic leadership all the excuses they need to baptize their personal conveniences and ignore what it really demands to be 'Catholic' in the public square."

According to Chaput, the "heart of the matter" is that "Notre Dame is hardly alone in its institutional confusion."

"Notre Dame's leadership has done a real disservice to the Church, and now seeks to ride out the criticism by treating it as an expression of fringe anger. But the damage remains, and Notre Dame’s critics are right."

The Archbishop of Denver says also that "the most vital thing faithful Catholics can do now is to insist -- by their words, actions and financial support -- that institutions claiming to be 'Catholic' actually live the faith with courage and consistency."

"If that happens, Notre Dame's failure may yet do some unintended good," he concludes.

Read the Archbishop's full statement: http://www.archden.org/index.cfm/ID/2081

'I Saw Catholics Arrested for Being Catholic at a Catholic University'

2009-05-18T08:34:00.004-04:00

Note: The articles about what happened at Notre Dame came fast and furious and are too numerous to post. This one sums up the moral bankruptcy on display yesterday. Notre Dame has not only turned its back on the Catholic Church. They have declared war on it.

Pastor Says: 'I Saw Catholics Arrested for Being Catholic at a Catholic University'

5/16/2009 1:11:00 AM
By Catherine Rouse -Vision America

Vision America President Pastor Rick Scarborough said he was sickened by what he saw when those protesting Obama's speech at Notre Dame were arrested on the campus.

"I wept when I saw my friends arrested and taken to jail," Scarborough disclosed. "They almost broke the arm of a priest who appeared to be in his 80s, by dragging him on the ground."
Scarborough, who's a Southern Baptist preacher, said he was in South Bend in solidarity with Catholics who are protesting the upcoming commencement speech at Notre Dame by the most anti-life president in history.

"Millions of Catholics who were persecuted in their countries of origin came to these shores for religious freedom," Scarborough said. "These hard-working folk built institutions like Notre Dame to educate their children and strengthen their Church."

"Now Notre Dame is honoring Barack Obama, a man Catholics and other Christians should shun, as many of the Catholic bishops have."

When asked why he wasn't arrested, Scarborough explained: "This was a Catholic demonstration, As a Baptist, I had to respect that. I did not want to intrude. At the same time, I wanted to support a group of people I'm so proud of for standing up for Judeo-Christian morality."

Fr. Norman Weslin, the 80 year old priest who was arrested today at Notre Dame is a retired Air Force General who went into the priesthood after his wife died.

After his open heart surgery, despite the warnings from his doctors, Father led a pro-life youth group in a walk across the country. He's been arrested many times in the past during pro-life demonstrations.

Today, Notre Dame had him taken away to jail in a plastic bag for carrying a cross onto a supposedly Catholic campus.

Notre Dame President Sits on Board of Directors of Pro-Abortion, Pro-Contraception Organization

2009-05-14T08:03:00.000-04:00

Notre Dame President Sits on Board of Directors of Pro-Abortion, Pro-Contraception Organization

By Alex Bush and John Jalsevac

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, May 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Fr. John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame University, sits on the board of directors of Millennium Promise, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty in Africa that promotes contraceptives and abortion, it has been revealed.

The finding comes as the controversy over President Obama's award and speech at the University reaches a fever pitch in the last week before the event. As the president of Notre Dame, Fr. Jenkins has received the majority of the heat for the scandal. However, despite the criticism of over 70 U.S. bishops and over 350,000 petitioners, Jenkins has steadfastly continued to defend the university's honoring of the president. In a letter to graduating students dated this past Monday, Jenkins said that Obama is "a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame."

Fr. Jenkins' involvement on the board of the Millennium Promise was first reported by the Drew Mariani Show and PewSitter.com. (See the list of board members here: http://www.millenniumpromise.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_bod) Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society, a Catholic education watchdog organization, responded to the news of Fr. Jenkins' involvement in Millennium Promise, saying in an interview with LSN, "One has to wonder what Fr. Jenkins' opinion is of the Church's teaching on contraception."

Millennium Promise's mission is to enact the eight so-called Millennium Development Goals by 2015. However, the Millennium Development Goals have been widely promoted by pro-contraception and pro-abortion organizations, such as Millennium Promise, as including the goal of increasing access to contraception and abortion globally.

Millennium Promise raises funds from the private sector for what it calls its "flagship initiative," Millennium Villages, a group that works with small villages in Africa.

A Millennium Villages handbook explains that "family planning and contraception services are critical to allow women to choose family size and birth spacing, to combat sexually transmitted infections, including HIV infection, and contribute to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality."

It continues to explain that, "Services include: (1) Counseling; (2) Male and female condoms; (3) Pharmacologic contraceptives including oral, transdermal, intramuscular, and implanted methods; and (4) IUDs."

The handbook continues with an encouragement for "safe" abortion: "In countries where abortion is legal, safe abortion services in controlled settings by skilled practitioners should be established." (http://www.millenniumvillages.org/docs/MVP_Handbook_complete_18jun08.pdf page 92).

Fr. Jenkins has stated in the past that Notre Dame participates in the Millennium Villages Project via the Notre Dame Millennium Development Initiative (NDMDI). The efforts of the NDMDI focus on Uganda "where Notre Dame, through the Congregation of Holy Cross, has strong ties."

Interestingly, Uganda is known for its unprecedented success in reducing its HIV rate over the past several decades, using the so-called ABC approach, which emphasizes abstinence and faithfulness as the surest means of avoiding infection. In the last few years, however, anti-HIV leaders in Uganda have complained about an increasing effort by large Western aid organizations to pressure the country to vastly increase its promotion of condoms.

Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society said that in his research into Millennium Promise he was extremely concerned to find that "not only condom distribution, but distribution of the pill, injectible contraception, and even abortion are part of the Millennium project's efforts."

"Any Catholic university that supports a program to reduce poverty by eliminating poor children has a serious problem," he said, adding that no Catholic "should be taking a leadership role in an effort that distributes contraception or promotes abortion."

A.L.L. Rallies Diocese to Take Notre Dame Off Catholic Directory

2009-05-12T14:42:00.003-04:00

A.L.L. Rallies Diocese to Take Notre Dame Off Catholic Directory

Washington, DC (12 May 2009) -- American Life League will lead a prayer rally on the steps of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the diocese of Fort Wayne/South Bend today to encourage Bishop John D'Arcy to remove Notre Dame from "The Official Catholic Directory."

The group says more than 40 years of dissent from official Catholic Church teaching disqualifies the school from identifying itself as a Catholic institution.American Life League set up operations in Fort Wayne, Indiana, last month in response to the scandal surrounding Notre Dame and the announcement that President Barack Obama, the most pro-abortion president in history, would give the 2009 commencement address and receive an honorary law degree.

"We're begging Bishop John D'Arcy to rebuke this attack on the faith. No more will we tolerate Catholic schools undermining Catholic teaching on life, on marriage... on the family itself," said Michael Barnett, American Life League director of leadership development in a letter to the group's supporters across the country.

If removed from the Directory, a definitive list of Catholic institutions in the United States, Notre Dame would join at least four other formerly Catholic universities: Marist College, St. John Fisher College, Nazarene College and Marymount Manhattan College.

"We must pray for the realization that there is no contradiction at a modern university between the search for truth and the pursuit of God," said Mike Barnett, American Life League director of leadership development. "We're here to achieve integrity and honesty about what is and is not a Catholic university."

The prayer rally will take place Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

American Life League was cofounded in 1979 by Judie Brown. It is the largest grassroots Catholic pro-life organization in the United States and is committed to the protection of all innocent human beings from the moment of creation to natural death. For more information or press inquiries, please contact Katie Walker at 540.659.4942.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
American Life League: Notre Dame: A Timeline of Dissent http://all.org/article.php?id=11934

American Life League: Petition to Remove Notre Dame from the "Official Catholic Directory" http://all.org/ndpetition/

Bishop Calls King's College Honor for Sen. Casey 'an Affront'

2009-05-04T12:17:00.003-04:00

Senator Will Also Give Address at College of the Holy Cross

King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., both Catholic colleges, have invited Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr., to be a commencement speaker and honoree despite the public reprimand of Senator Casey by his bishop, Bishop Joseph Martino of the Diocese of Scranton.

"Catholic institutions have a unique responsibility to be strong public witnesses for Catholic values, and that commitment should be reflected in their selection of commencement speakers and honorees," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS). "The choice of Senator Casey, whose actions have been publicly questioned by his own bishop, seems contrary to that high standard,"

Bishop Joseph Martino of the Scranton Diocese has made public statements in recent months holding Casey--who is Catholic and campaigned as pro-life on abortion--accountable to Catholic teaching and asking Casey to reflect on whether he should be receiving the Eucharist at Mass.

Bishop Martino was critical earlier this year of Casey's vote opposing an amendment to reinstate the pro-life Mexico City Policy, which prohibits federal funds to groups that promote or perform abortions. Just last week, Bishop Martino scolded Casey for his vote to confirm pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

In reaction to the Sebelius vote, the Diocese published a statement which reads in part:

“Despite his claims of being 'pro-life,' Sen.
Casey's voting record thus far has been inconsistent.

"On the one hand, Sen. Casey is to be commended
for initiatives that provide support for pregnant women and families. And Bishop
Martino is grateful for the Senator's recent vote for an amendment that would
have provided conscience protection on abortion for health care workers.
(Regrettably, the amendment was defeated in the Senate.)

"On the other hand, Sen. Casey voted to rescind
the Mexico City Policy, thus ensuring that American taxpayer funds go to
organizations abroad dedicated to performing and promoting abortions even in
cultures that are opposed to them. The result is that abortion becomes the
preferred means for reducing family size in developing nations. Neither the
Helms Amendment nor any other U.S. legislation prevents that.

"He also voted for the appointment of Harvard
Law School Dean Elena Kagan as solicitor general. Ms. Kagan supports
partial-birth abortion and opposed withdrawing federal funds from
taxpayer-funded abortion clinics despite popular opposition. She opposed funding
teen-pregnancy counseling by religious institutions. As solicitor general, she
is likely to oppose the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, thus opening the door
to legislation allowing same-sex marriage.

"And now Sen. Casey has joined with his
colleagues to put Gov. Sebelius in charge of building a new health care system
in the United States. Her well-established pro-abortion track record provides
ample evidence for the anti-life decisions she will make in this key
position."

Bishop Martino is now calling the decision of King's College, a Congregation of the Holy Cross-sponsored institution in the Scranton Diocese, "an affront to all who value the sanctity of life." The bishop said that Sen. Casey lacks "the moral stature" to properly address the challenges faced by the graduates. King's College plans to award Sen. Casey an honorary doctorate at commencement on May 17.

The College of the Holy Cross, a Jesuit institution, has also announced plans to honor and provide commencement platform to Sen. Casey on May 22, 2009.

Over the past few months, many U.S. bishops have reinforced the 2004 USCCB statement, "Catholics in Political Life" in their opposition to Notre Dame's intended honor for pro-abortion President Barack Obama. The statement reads: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

ND alumna asks whether Obama honor encourages indifference to abortion

2009-05-04T12:06:00.003-04:00

ND alumna asks whether Obama honor encourages indifference to abortion

Washington D.C., May 2, 2009 / 04:58 pm (CNA).- Providing a new take on the controversy, a University of Notre Dame alumna has asked whether her alma mater's decision to honor President Barack Obama would discourage pro-life women in crisis pregnancies and encourage Catholics who believe Church teaching on abortion is "just dining-room talk."

Lacy Dodd, a 1999 graduate of the university, explained in a May 1 essay for the website of the journal "First Things" how she had become pregnant by her boyfriend in the last semester of her senior year at the school.

She told how she had run to the school's famous Marian Grotto after testing positive for pregnancy.

"I was confused and full of conflicting emotions," Dodd wrote.

"But I knew this: No amount of shame or embarrassment would ever lead me to get rid of my baby. Of all women, Our Lady could surely feel pity for an unplanned pregnancy. I recalled her surrendered love to God's invitation to become the home of the Incarnate Word. 'Let it be done to me according to thy word,' she had said. In my hour of need, on my knees, I asked Mary for courage and strength. And she did not disappoint."

She said her boyfriend, also a Notre Dame senior, tried to pressure her into having an abortion.

"Like so many women in similar circumstances, I found out the kind of man the father of my child was at precisely the moment I needed him most. 'All that talk about abortion is just dining-room talk,' he said. 'When it's really you in the situation, it's different. I will drive you to Chicago and pay for a good doctor.'"

Replying to her insistence that this was not an option, he said he was pro-choice.

"I responded by informing him that my choice was life. And I learned, as so many pregnant women have before and since, that life is the one choice that pro-choicers won't support."

Though having an unsupportive boyfriend, Dodd said she could rely on the "priceless gift" of her family who would "welcome into their hearts the life that God had put in my womb."

She also relied on the people at Women's Care Center in South Bend, who she says encouraged her "everything was going to be all right," educated her on her pregnancy and provided her with information on how to stay healthy.

Dodd graduated from Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in American Studies and earned a ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Though she considered adoption, she decided to raise her baby. She gave birth to a baby girl on All Saints Day and named her Mary.

"Her name is no accident. This Mary was living inside me while I walked the campus of a university dedicated to a woman who is mother of us all, and it was Mary Our Mother who gave me courage when I was afraid of what would lie ahead," she wrote at the First Things website.

Though calling Notre Dame a "special place," Dodd said it is not immune to "the realities of modern life."

"There are students who face unplanned pregnancies, and--most tragically--women who think their only option is abortion," she said, noting that one in five women who have an abortion is a college student.

"On campuses all across this country, abortion is the status quo. We need to change that with an unambiguous stand for life, and Notre Dame needs to be in the lead."

She closed with a question to Fr. John Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame:

"Who draws support from your decision to honor President Obama--the young, pregnant Notre Dame woman sitting in that graduating class who wants desperately to keep her baby, or the Notre Dame man who believes that the Catholic teaching on the intrinsic evil of abortion is just dining-room talk?"

First 300,000 Petition Signatures Delivered to Notre Dame Board Members, Fr. Jenkins

2009-04-29T13:57:00.002-04:00

First 300,000 Petition Signatures Delivered to Notre Dame Board Members, Fr. Jenkins

Copies Are Being Rushed to Rome, Papal Nuncio, USCCB and ND Bishop John D'Arcy

This morning, April 29, 2009, the first 300,000 names of individuals who signed the petition at NotreDameScandal.com -- opposing the University of Notre Dame's decision to honor President Barack Obama at commencement -- began to be delivered to Notre Dame president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., the Board of Trustees and the Board of Fellows as they prepare for scheduled meetings on Friday, May 1, at Notre Dame.

As of this morning, more than 344,000 people have signed the petition, but because of the overwhelming numbers it took The Cardinal Newman Society more than 24 hours to prepare the data and print more than 64,000 sheets of paper, double sided, which were then bound in notebooks and sent via FedEx to Father Jenkins and individual members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows.

Copies of the petitions are also being rushed by The Cardinal Newman Society, which sponsored the petition, to Archbishop Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education; Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican ambassador) to the United States; Francis Cardinal George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB); Bishop John D'Arcy, of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who presides over Notre Dame; and Bishop Robert McManus, Chairman of the USCCB Education Committee.

"Only the Notre Dame Trustees and Fellows have direct authority over Father Jenkins, so their meetings on Friday are our best hope for an end to this scandal," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society.

"It is critical for all of us to pray that the Trustees and Fellows charged with safeguarding Notre Dame's Catholic identity will heed the 50 bishops and hundreds of thousands of faithful Catholics urging Notre Dame to withdraw its invitation to President Obama."

The University of Notre Dame is governed by a 12-member Board of Fellows, including six Holy Cross priests, who are charged with ensuring "that the University maintains its essential character as a Catholic institution of higher learning." The Fellows delegate most of their governing authority to the 38-member Board of Trustees, comprised mostly of lay people.

The university's charter states: "The essential character of the University as a Catholic institution of higher learning shall at all times be maintained, it being the stated intention and desire of the present Fellows of the University that the University shall retain in perpetuity its identity as such an institution."

Mary Ann Glendon refuses to accept Laetare Medal from Notre Dame

2009-04-27T15:14:00.001-04:00

Mary Ann Glendon refuses to accept Laetare Medal from Notre Dame

South Bend, Ind., Apr 27, 2009 / 11:55 am (CNA).- Less than a month before Notre Dame’s Commencement, the former Vatican ambassador Mary Ann Glendon has written President Jenkins to refuse the university's Laetare Medal, rebuffing his claim that her acceptance speech would somehow "balance" the event.

Mary Ann Glendon, a pro-life feminist and Harvard professor, today released an open letter to Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins, in which she told Jenkins that she could not speak alongside President Obama at the May 17th Commencement exercises.

In her letter, Glendon related that she was initially "profoundly moved" at the news that she would receive Notre Dame's coveted Laetare Medal. After hearing the news, she said she quickly began crafting an acceptance speech that she "hoped would be worthy of the occasion."

In March, Glendon said that she received a phone call from Fr. Jenkins informing her that she would not be giving the commencement speech, but that instead President Obama would fill that role. Upon learning of the change of plans, Glendon said that a "task that once seemed so delightful" had now been "complicated by a number of factors."

The first factor Glendon mentioned was her work as a "longtime consultant" to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which caused her to become "dismayed" that Notre Dame "planned to award the president an honorary degree." This action, she said, would "disregard" the U.S. Bishop's "Catholics in Political Life" document.

Glendon also rebuffed the idea that the teaching "seeks to control or interfere" with a Catholic institution's "freedom to invite and engaged in serious debate whomever it wishes."

The former Vatican ambassador also took exception to Fr. Jenkins' "talking point" that awarding the Laetare Medal to her would "balance the event." Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop John D’Arcy also criticized Jenkins' "talking points" by calling them "wrong" and a "flawed justification."

"A commencement," Ms. Glendon wrote, "is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame's decision--in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops--to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice."

She also worried that Notre Dame's decision is having a "ripple effect" that is encouraging other Catholic institutions to ignore the U.S. Bishop's teaching.

"It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony," she concluded.

President Jenkins responded to the criticism by saying Notre Dame is "disappointed" with Glendon's decision and that the university intends "to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient."

Notre Dame said they will make the "announcement as soon as possible."

Archbishop Hughes to Boycott Xavier University Commencement Over Pro-Abortion Honoree

2009-04-24T16:10:00.002-04:00

Archbishop Hughes to Boycott Xavier University Commencement Over Pro-Abortion Honoree

Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes, Archbishop of New Orleans, has made public his letter to Dr. Norman Francis, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, announcing that he will boycott the university's May 9 commencement exercises to protest the selection of pro-abortion Donna Brazile as speaker and honoree. Archbishop Hughes is also opposing the University of Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama at commencement.

"Catholic universities have a serious responsibility to uphold the Catholic identity with which they are entrusted," said Patrick Reilly, president of the Cardinal Newman Society. "Catholics nationwide will be grateful to Archbishop Hughes for his defense of Xavier's Catholic mission."

Archbishop Hughes cites instances in which political commentator Donna Brazile has expressed pro-abortion and pro-artificial contraception points of view as the reasons for his boycott of Xavier's commencement. He notes that Xavier was founded by Saint Katherine Drexel and offers prayers that the university "will be faithful to that legacy in every way.'

Below is the text of Archbishop Alfred Hughes' letter:

I write to you to follow up our telephone conversation. It is with regret
that I make the decision not to participate in the Commencement Exercises this
year at Xavier University in light of the university's decision to invite Ms.
Donna Brazile to be the Commencement speaker and receive an honorary degree. Ms. Brazile has a public record in support of keeping abortion legal.

In our document released in 2004 the Catholic bishops of the United
States provided explicit direction for all Catholic parishes and institutions:
"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act
in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given
awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

I recognize that Ms. Brazile is a Catholic Louisiana native who has
worked effectively in service to the poor and African Americans in particular.
However, her public statements on the abortion issue are not in keeping with
Catholic moral teaching. She has supported President Obama's decision to reverse
the Mexico City policy allowing federal funds to organizations that provide
abortions overseas by saying that this policy will "save lives." She has also
relativized the importance of the fundamental life issues on national television
suggesting that there are more important things for the American people to
discuss than abortion. She has supported and worked for the election of
candidates who support contraceptive practices and abortion on the basis that
this stance is pro-woman.

The Catholic Church stands in support of all of those who want to serve
and plead for the poor and vulnerable in our midst. This, however, must include
those who are most vulnerable in their mother's wombs. Moreover, contraceptive
practice actually leads men to be less responsible toward women and abortion
both harms the mother and kills the child.

I, again, reiterate my disappointment. I have always enjoyed being a
part of the Xavier Commencement when I was able to do so. I applaud the
remarkable history of Xavier University in offering highly respected university
education to African Americans. I also admire your remarkable record of public
service.

The University has received an extraordinary legacy from its holy
founder, Saint Katherine Drexel. I pray that the university will be faithful to
that legacy in every way including respect and protection of all human
life.

N.Y. Archbishop Dolan: Opposition to 'Intrinsic Evil' Explains Notre Dame Protest

2009-04-24T16:00:00.003-04:00

N.Y. Archbishop Dolan: Opposition to 'Intrinsic Evil' Explains Notre Dame Protest

The Most Reverend Timothy A. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, explained during a recent interview that his opposition to Notre Dame's slated honor for President Obama on May 17 is due to the President's support for the "intrinsic evil" of abortion. He also contrasted abortion to other serious concerns, like the Iraq war and the death penalty, which "are open to some discussion and are not intrinsically evil."

"Archbishop Dolan's clear teaching should help Americans understand that there is nothing political about the bishops' protest of Notre Dame's action," said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society. "This is not primarily about President Obama or partisan politics, but about a prominent Catholic institution publicly betraying fundamental Catholic values."

New York Post reporter Dan Mangan's interview with Archbishop Timothy Dolan from Wednesday, April 22, was posted online. The reporter asked Archbishop Dolan why he is publicly opposed to Notre Dame honoring President Obama at its commencement on May 17, but did not publicly oppose the same honor to President George W. Bush in 2001, given Bush's positions on the Iraq war and the death penalty.

"There's a big difference," Archbishop Dolan said. "There are some issues where the Church has weighed in, that one must be very sensitive to the morality of some issues, but they're not intrinsically evil. An intrinsic evil means that something is always and everywhere wrong."

The Church's teaching on the death penalty and war, explained Archbishop Dolan, allow for such activities in extreme cases. So while Archbishop Dolan said he was uncomfortable with President Bush's positions, he "would have to give him the benefit of the doubt to say that those two issues are open to some discussion and are not intrinsically evil. In the Catholic mindset... that would not apply to abortion."

William McGurn, Notre Dame alumnus and former chief speechwriter for President G. W. Bush, delivered a lecture sponsored by Notre Dame's Center for Ethics and Culture entitled "Notre Dame: A Witness for Life" yesterday, April 23. Like Archbishop Dolan, McGurn argued that abortion is not "one issue on a political scorecard."

McGurn proposed that Notre Dame hold a "summit of pro-life Democrats to come here to make the Notre Dame statement for life."

He continued, arguing that "all pleas for other important human rights are 'false and illusory' if we do not defend with 'maximum determination' the fundamental right to life upon which all other rights rest."

The Growing number of bishops opposing Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama at commencement has grown to 46, with Bishops Le Voir, Galeone and Zubik joining the swelling ranks.

Bishop John Le Voir, of the New Ulm Diocese, said, "The decision of the University of Notre Dame makes it much more difficult for the Church to carry out her vital mission to transform our culture into a culture of life and love."

Bishop Victor Galeone, of the St. Augustine Diocese, said, "Coupled with the performance of... 'The Vagina Monologues'... this most recent decision raises serious doubts about Fr. Jenkins' qualifications for continuing to serve as president of one of the foremost Catholic universities in the nation."

Bishop David Zubik, of the Pittsburgh Diocese, said, "This is Our Lady's university choosing to give an honorary degree to the single most outspoken pro-abortion president since the issue was foisted upon the country by the Supreme Court. It must, indeed, embarrass Our Lady."

The bishops' statements, news items and other insider commentary are updated daily at NotreDameScandal.com. The petition at the website has grown to more than 334,000 signers.

Father Jenkins Should Resign

2009-04-22T17:03:00.005-04:00

Dear Father Jenkins:

I have read the excerpted letter from Bishop D’Arcy and it brought tears to my eyes. It is the appeal of a Shepherd of the Church to one of his flock that has gone astray. In it he points out that if there was any question of right interpretation of Catholic doctrine, the local bishop is the authority to resolve it whether you like him or not.

Further, the good bishop points out that your letter to the trustees of Notre Dame relies on the opinions of theologians. And you sought them to the exclusion of your own bishop. Some are likewise from apostate Catholic colleges or universities. Their opinions are not only untrustworthy, they are irrelevant. This is like looking out over a crowd for an opinion and only picking out your friends.

Pointing to the majority of young people in your care that also support the invitation of President Obama actually strengthens Bishop D’Arcy’s argument. As a Catholic leader, you are obligated to tell the truth, to lead young people, to evangelize, whether in the majority and whether in agreement with power or not. By leading these young people to the conclusion that disobedience to the local bishop is acceptable, you teach falsehood and heresy. You do so at great risk to yourself, your very immortal soul.

You have made a grave miscalculation and in so doing have scandalized the little ones in your care, especially those who hold fast to Christ’s words and commands in a culture increasingly hostile to His message. Your reasoning is twisted and false and illogical. A child could see through it. You wish to gain the personal prestige that a presidential visit brings as well as the economic windfall government grants will surely bring because you have chosen to suffer for your messiah, Barack Obama. You took the easy road.

I call on you to resign and to apologize to your students, the faculty, the trustees, your order and most of all to the bishop, that shepherd who teaches in the person of Christ.

I will continue to pray for you, for Notre Dame and for our country.

In Christ,

Steve

Bishop D'Arcy: "Terrible Breach" Caused by Scandal at Notre Dame 'Cannot Be Allowed to Continue

2009-04-22T15:12:00.005-04:00

Note: The author of this blog is often critical of the bishops for not enforcing canons that address dissenting Catholic colleges and politicians. Often the front line of the battle against evil, pro-life leaders and students, are thrown under the bus to gain money, power and prestige. In the letter, below, the local bishop has taken a courageous stand and has thrown down the gauntlet. Father Jenkins must repent or resign and find refuge for contemplative prayer in a monastery somewhere where he can no longer scandalize the young people in his charge and disgrace the finest Catholic University in America. This bishop has gained our support and respect.

Bishop D'Arcy: 'Terrible Breach' Caused by Scandal at Notre Dame 'Cannot Be Allowed to Continue'

Bishop John M. D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, in which the University of Notre Dame is located, has publicly released key points from a letter correcting Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., who defended the decision to honor President Barack Obama at commencement on May 17, 2009. The bishop wrote that the "terrible breach" which has opened up between Notre Dame and the Church "cannot be allowed to continue."

"How much more evidence does Notre Dame need to understand that they have made a tragic mistake in honoring President Obama?" said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society, whose petition atNotreDameScandal.com has surpassed 330,000 signers. "Catholics nationwide are praying that Father Jenkins will submit to the rightful authority of Notre Dame's bishop and end this scandal immediately."

Notably, Bishop D'Arcy corrected Father Jenkins' contention that the 2004 USCCB document "Catholics in Political Life," which asks Catholic institutions not to honor pro-abortion leaders, does not apply to the decision to honor President Obama at commencement. Father Jenkins has said that the policy applies only to Catholic honorees, and that because Notre Dame does not support President Obama's policies on abortion and stem cell research, the honor poses no conflict for a Catholic university.

"I consider it now settled," wrote Bishop D’Arcy, "that the USCCB document, 'Catholics in Public Life,' does indeed apply in this matter."

Bishop D'Arcy has also asked Father Jenkins to issue a retraction of the talking points he issued to the Notre Dame Board of Trustees regarding the commencement invitation to President Obama.

"The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions," said Bishop D’Arcy.

Bishop D'Arcy earlier announced that he plans to boycott Notre Dame's commencement on May 17, 2009.

The content of the below statement from Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop John D'Arcy is a summary of key points from a private letter he sent in response to Notre Dame's president, Father John Jenkins. [Emphasis added.]

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recently, Father John Jenkins, CSC, in a letter of response to Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix, who had written him, critical of the decision to invite President Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree of law at Notre Dame, indicated that it was his conviction that the statement "Catholics in Political Life" (USCCB) did not apply in this matter. Father Jenkins kindly sent me a copy of his letter, and also at a later meeting, asked for a response.

In an April 15th letter to Father Jenkins, I responded to his letter.

Now the points made in his letter have been sent by Father Jenkins to the members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and have been publicized nationally, as well as locally in the South Bend Tribune. Since the matter is now public, it is my duty as the bishop of this diocese to respond and correct. I take up this responsibility with some sadness, but also with the conviction that if I did not do so, I would be remiss in my pastoral responsibility.

Rather than share my full letter, which I have shared with some in church leadership, I prefer to present some of the key points.

1. The meaning of the sentence in the USCCB document relative to Catholic institutions is clear. It places the responsibility on those institutions, and indeed, on the Catholic community itself.

"The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." -- "Catholics in Political Life," USCCB.

2. When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? A fundamental, canonical and theological principal states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese. -- Canon 330, 375 §§ 1 & 2; 380; 381 § 1; 391 § 1; 392, & 394 §1.

3. I informed Father Jenkins that if there was any genuine questions or doubt about the meaning of the relevant sentence in the conference's document, any competent canonist with knowledge of the tradition and love for Christ's church had the responsibility to inform Father Jenkins of the fundamental principle that the diocesan bishop alone bears the responsibility to provide an authoritative interpretation.

4. I reminded Father Jenkins that he indicated that he consulted presidents of other Catholic universities, and at least indirectly, consulted other bishops, since he asked those presidents to share with him those judgments of their own bishops. However, he chose not to consult his own bishop who, as I made clear, is the teacher and lawgiver in his own diocese. I reminded Father Jenkins that I was not informed of the invitation until after it was accepted by the president. I mentioned again that it is at the heart of the diocesan bishop's pastoral responsibility to teach as revealed in sacred Scripture and the tradition. ("Lumen Gentium," 20; and "Christus Dominus," 2.) I reminded him that it is also central to the university's relationship to the church. ("Ex corde ecclesiae," 27 & 28; Gen. Norm., Art. 5, §§ 1-3.)

5. Another key point. In his letter to Bishop Olmsted and in the widespread publicity, which has taken place as the points in the letter have been made public, Father Jenkins declared the invitation to President Obama does not "suggest support" for his actions, because he has expressed and continues to express disagreement with him on issues surrounding protection of life. I wrote that the outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill. In my office alone, there have been over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage, and they are still coming in. It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins, and indeed, the action has suggested approval to many.

In the publicity surrounding the points Father Jenkins has made, he also says he is "following the document of the bishops" by "laying a basis for engagement with the president on this issue." I indicated that I, like many others, will await to see what the follow up is on this issue between Notre Dame and President Obama.

6. As I have said in a recent interview and which I have said to Father Jenkins, it would be one thing to bring the president here for a discussion on healthcare or immigration, and no person of goodwill could rightly oppose this. We have here, however, the granting of an honorary degree of law to someone whose activities both as president and previously, have been altogether supportive of laws against the dignity of the human person yet to be born.

In my letter, I have also asked Father Jenkins to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points, which appeared in the South Bend Tribune and in other media outlets across the country. The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions.

I consider it now settled -- that the USCCB document, "Catholics in Public Life," does indeed apply in this matter.

The failure to consult the local bishop who, whatever his unworthiness, is the teacher and lawgiver in the diocese, is a serious mistake. Proper consultation could have prevented an action, which has caused such painful division between Notre Dame and many bishops -- and a large number of the faithful.

That division must be addressed through prayer and action, and I pledge to work with Father Jenkins and all at Notre Dame to heal the terrible breach, which has taken place between Notre Dame and the church. It cannot be allowed to continue.

I ask all to pray that this healing will take place in a way that is substantial and true, and not illusory. Notre Dame and Father Jenkins must do their part if this healing is to take place. I will do my part.
Sincerely yours in our Lord,
Most Reverend
John M. D'Arcy

Georgetown Law School to Honor Pro-Abortion Catholic Biden

2009-04-21T14:14:00.006-04:00

Georgetown Law School to Honor Pro-Abortion Catholic Biden

On Wednesday, April 22, Georgetown University Law Center will host an event honoring Vice President Joseph Biden with the "Legal Momentum Hero Award," in direct violation of the U.S. bishops' 2004 policy against such honors to pro-abortion politicians.

More than 40 U.S. bishops have publicly decried the University of Notre Dame's plan to honor President Barack Obama next month, citing a 2004 statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

"Even as Notre Dame publicly snubs the Catholic bishops, Georgetown appears to be saying, 'Me, too!,'" said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society. "Just last week, Georgetown covered the name of Jesus Christ at the request of the White House. Scandal after scandal at Georgetown, including the stunning 2007 law school policy that offers paid internships for students to work at organizations that advocate for abortion rights, has severely compromised its integrity as a Catholic institution."

Georgetown University Law Center is affiliated with Georgetown University, a Catholic and Jesuit institution.

Vice President Joseph Biden, a professed Roman Catholic, has since the 2008 presidential campaign come under sharp criticism from pro-life advocates, including his hometown Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pa., for supporting the legal abortion.

According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Biden "strongly support[s] Roe v. Wade." Biden was the co-sponsor of the oppressive Freedom of Choice Act in the 102nd and 103rd congresses. He also voted for federal funding of Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research, and against parental notification for minors seeking out-of-state abortions, a ban on abortions at military facilities, and a ban on human cloning.

Tomorrow's symposium is sponsored by the Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law and Legal Momentum, a women's rights advocacy group that sharply conflicts with the Catholic Church by promoting "reproductive rights," advocating same-sex marriage and opposing abstinence-only education programs and pro-life crisis pregnancy centers.

Georgetown Covers Up Name of Jesus at White House Request

2009-04-16T11:12:00.007-04:00

Note: I bet they didn't even give it a second thought. Probably aren't many there who even know what the monogram stands for. After all, it's Jesuit Georgetown. Not even questioned is the appearance by Obama there in the first place. He's their kind of guy.

Georgetown Covers Up Name of Jesus at White House Request

Before President Barack Obama spoke on Tuesday, April 14, at Georgetown University, the White House asked that all signs and symbols be covered up at the Gaston Hall venue, CNSNews.com reports. In compliance with the request, the university covered over the monogram "IHS," an ancient Christian symbol of the name of Jesus Christ.

"It is such a sad commentary that Catholic universities are willingly hiding the most visible signs of their Catholic identity when hosting secular leaders," said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society. "What’s next, will Notre Dame cover images of Jesus and Mary and ban rosaries when they honor President Obama next month?"

The CNSNews.com story notes that Julie Green Bataille, associate vice president for communications at Georgetown, said, "In coordinating the logistical arrangements for yesterday's event, Georgetown honored the White House staff's request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind Gaston Hall stage."

"The White House wanted a simple backdrop of flags and pipe and drape for the speech, consistent with what they've done for other policy speeches," continued Bataille. "Frankly, the pipe and drape wasn't high enough by itself to fully cover the IHS and cross above the GU seal and it seemed most respectful to have them covered so as not to be seen out of context."

This is not the first controversy surrounding religious imagery at Georgetown recently. A prominent statue of Our Lady of Fatima was desecrated twice in less than a month at the university earlier this year. When the first desecration of the statue occurred, a group of concerned students organized a 24-hour prayer vigil in response, but students complained to The Cardinal Newman Society that the Georgetown administration's response was tepid.

Pro-Abortion Political Activist to Speak at Xavier (LA) Commencement and Receive Honor

2009-04-15T08:13:00.003-04:00

Pro-Abortion Political Activist to Speak at Xavier (LA) Commencement and Receive Honor

Xavier University in New Orleans, a Catholic institution, has announced plans to honor pro-abortion political commentator and activist Donna Brazile at commencement on May 9, 2009.

"Given New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes' strong condemnation of Notre Dame's honor of pro-abortion President Barack Obama, it is surprising and saddening that Xavier University would honor a prominent figure opposed to Catholic moral teachings," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society, whose petition at NotreDameScandal.com has surpassed 263,000 supporters.

Most U.S. bishops speaking and writing publicly against the decision of the University of Notre Dame to honor and host President Barack Obama at commencement have cited the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2004 statement "Catholics in Political Life" as support for their position.

The statement reads: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

According to the Xavier website, Donna Brazile will address more than 450 graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Pharmacy and the Graduate School. She will also be awarded an honorary degree.

Brazile is ideologically opposed to many fundamental Catholic moral principles, including abortion and contraception. She recently supported President Obama's reversal of the Mexico City Policy which previously barred taxpayer funding from supporting abortion services overseas. She said that "this will save lives."

In a CNN segment during the 2008 presidential campaign Brazile suggested that public discussion of Barack Obama's legislative support for infanticide should be diminished in light of high gas prices.

In a 2006 article, Brazile expressed her support for across-the-board availability of contraceptive services, including her support for the Prevention First Act. She said, "It would secure funding to ensure broad access to birth control, supply information to providers and consumers concerning emergency contraception, and require hospitals that receive federal funds to provide, upon request, emergency contraception to sexual-assault victims."

Canon Lawyer: Notre Dame Prez Reasoning "Too Bizarre for Words"

2009-04-15T07:59:00.001-04:00

Canon Lawyer: Notre Dame Prez Reasoning "Too Bizarre for Words"

By Kathleen Gilbert

DETROIT, Michigan, April 14, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A prominent American canon lawyer has issued a stinging criticism of the reasoning given by Notre Dame's president Fr. John Jenkins, by which he defends the school's invitation of President Obama to speak and receive an honorary law degree, calling Jenkins' argumentation "too bizarre for words."

Canon lawyer Ed Peters responded to correspondence from Fr. Jenkins to Notre Dame trustees, which was obtained and published exclusively by LifeSiteNews.com last week. In the memo, Jenkins told trustees that he considers the invitation to honor Obama to be faithful to the "letter and the spirit" of the U.S. Bishops Conference 2004 document "Catholics in Political Life."

(http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html)

Several of the bishops who have condemned the scandal, including USCCB President Cardinal Francis George, have indicated that Notre Dame's invitation violates the 2004 directive. The document forbids Catholic schools from honoring "those who act in defiance of our [Catholic] fundamental moral principles."

Fr. Jenkins had written: "Because the title of the document is 'Catholics in Political Life', we understood this to refer to honoring Catholics whose actions are not in accord with our moral principles." Jenkins cited "fellow university presidents" who informed him "that their bishops have told them that in fact it is only Catholic politicians who are referred to in this document."

In response, Peters commented on his blog "In the Light of the Law" on Thursday: "Is the man serious?"

"Does Jenkins really think that Catholic bishops would countenance a Catholic institution honoring a philanthropic murderer, or a free-speech crusading pornographer, or a right-to-privacy pimp, provided merely that the awardee was not a Catholic?

"Really, that's too bizarre for words."

Peters also questioned Jenkins' statement that his interpretation "was supported by canon lawyers we consulted, who advised us that, by definition, only Catholics who implicitly recognize the authority of Church teaching can act in 'defiance' of it."

"What's this 'by definition' stuff? ... A definition of 'defiance'?" Peters asked. "The word 'defiance' is not in the Code. Even the Latin pertinacia does not seem to apply to our facts, so, what exactly is Jenkins talking about here?

"I don't know, but whatever Jenkins or his canonists hope it means, the sentence he/they put so much stock in was obviously not drafted to stand up to close textual parsing," he said. "Else, all a Catholic would have to do to avoid the charge of acting in 'defiance' of Church authority would be to decline recognizing Church authority in the first place!"

To Jenkins' assertion that giving Obama an honorary doctorate does not "suggest support" for his pro-abortion record, Peters countered, "An honorary doctorate of law does not 'suggest' support for a politicians' legal philosophy, no, instead it screams it."

(To view Dr. Peters' full commentary: http://www.canonlaw.info/2009/04/fr-jenkins-discovers-canon-law-not.html)

See recent LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Leaked: ND Prez Comment on USCCB Document Prohibiting Honoring Pro-Abortion Politicianshttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html

Bishops Bruskewitz, Aquila Issue Stinging Condemnations to "Formerly Catholic" Notre Damehttp://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040906.html

Notre Dame's Bishop on Obama's Pro-Abortion Views: "No One Is Allowed to Say Who Sits at Table of Life"http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040804.html

Former Vatican Ambassador: Notre Dame Scandal Will "Wake Catholics Up"http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040907.html

Bishops Bruskewitz, Aquila Issue Stinging Condemnations to "Formerly Catholic" Notre Dame

2009-04-11T14:37:00.001-04:00

Bishops Bruskewitz, Aquila Issue Stinging Condemnations to "Formerly Catholic" Notre Dame
By Kathleen Gilbert

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, April 9, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Two more bishops have written and made public strongly-worded letters to University president Fr. John Jenkins, bringing the number of U.S. bishops to 31 protesting the school's invitation to President Obama to speak at commencement and receive an honorary law degree May 17.

Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of the Lincoln Diocese supplied his letter, addressed to University president Fr. John Jenkins, today to the Cardinal Newman Society, which is hosting a petition against the scandal, now bearing well over a quarter million signatures (http://www.notredamescandal.com).

"Permit me to add my name as well to the long list of Bishops of the Catholic Church who are utterly appalled at your dedication to immorality and wrong-doing represented by your support for the obscenity called 'The Vagina Monologues' and your absolute indifference to the murderous abortion program and beliefs of this President of the United States," reads the brief letter, dated April 3.

"The fact that you have some sort of past connection with the State of Nebraska makes it all the more painful that the Catholic people here have to see your betrayal of the moral teachings of the Catholic Church," Bruskewitz wrote. "I can assure you of my prayers for your conversion, and for the conversion of your formerly Catholic University."

Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, ND wrote an April 5 letter to Fr. Jenkins published on the diocesan website saying he was "surprised and saddened" to learn of the invitation, and adding that Jenkins' defense of the honors has "only deepened" his dismay.

Expressing confidence that Jenkins is "a man of integrity" who believes in "the Church's witness," Aquila mentioned the papal encyclical Ex Corde Ecclesiae and the U.S. Bishops Conference directive, "Catholics in Political Life," which respectively urge Catholic schools to witness to Catholic teaching and forbid them from honoring pro-abortion politicians.

"Even though President Obama is not Catholic, he clearly rejects the truth about human dignity through his constant support of a so called 'right to abortion,'" wrote Aquila. "Inviting President Obama to award him a degree and to speak at a Catholic University implicitly extends legitimacy to his views on these issues in the minds of the average onlooker.

"Your actions and that of the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame do real harm to the mission of Catholic education in this country and further splinters Catholic witness in the public square," he continued.

Providing a forum for an abortion advocate at a school that teaches the truths of the Faith, wrote the bishop, "places commitment to these truths on an equal plane with a commitment to an intrinsic evil which destroys innocent human life."

"Your judgment in this matter is seriously flawed, with damaging consequences, for '…you are not on the side of God, but of men' (Mt 16:23)."

Noting the fidelity of many among the Notre Dame community, Aquila said, "Unfortunately, your action and that of your Board diminishes the reputation of Notre Dame and makes one wonder what its mission truly is."

The bishops who have so far publicly criticized Notre Dame's invitation to Obama (in alphabetical order) are:

1. Bishop John D'Arcy - Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN
2. Bishop Samuel Aquila - Fargo, ND
3. Bishop Gregory Aymond - Austin, TX
4. Archbishop Daniel Buechlein - Indianapolis, IN
5. Bishop Robert Baker - Birmingham, AL
6. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz - Lincoln, NE
7. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran - Oklahoma City, OK
8. Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú - San Antonio, TX
9. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo - Houston, TX
10. Archbishop Timothy Dolan - New York, NY
11. Bishop Thomas Doran - Rockford, IL
12. Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty - Scranton, PA
13. Cardinal Francis George - Chicago, IL; President, USCCB
14. Archbishop José Gomez - San Antonio, TX
15. Bishop William Higi - Lafayette, IN
16. Archbishop Alfred Hughs - New Orleans, LA
17. Bishop Jerome Listecki - La Crosse, WI
18. Bishop William E. Lori - Bridgeport, CT
19. Bishop Robert Lynch - St. Petersburg, FL
20. Bishop Joseph Martino - Scranton, PA
21. Bishop Charles Morlino - Madison, WI
22. Bishop George Murry - Youngstown, OH
23. Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark, NJ
24. Bishop R. Walker Nickless - Sioux City, IA
25. Archbishop John C. Nienstedt - St. Paul-Minneapolis, MD
26. Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - Baltimore, MD
27. Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ
28. Bishop Kevin Rhoades - Harrisburg
29. Bishop Alexander Sample - Marquette, MI
30. Bishop Edward J. Slattery - Tulsa, OK
31. Bishop Anthony Taylor - Little Rock, AR

Notre Dame Announces Homosexual-Themed Events for Easter Week

2009-04-11T14:30:00.001-04:00

The Cardinal Newman Society
For Immediate Release

April 9, 2009

Notre Dame Announces Homosexual-Themed Events for Easter Week

Manassas, Va. - Late in the afternoon on Holy Thursday, the University of Notre Dame announced a series of events during Easter Week to promote an "inclusive spirit" in support of homosexual students, including a film that blames a mother's Christian faith for causing her gay son's suicide.

"Christianity is under attack from within our own Catholic universities," said Patrick J. Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "The bad news continues, perhaps appropriately on the day when we recall Christ's terrible agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. We need Catholics worldwide to draw the line, here and now, by joining more than 255,000 witnesses for the Faith at NotreDameScandal.com."

"StaND Against Hate Week," to occur April 14 through 17, is co-sponsored by Notre Dame's Gender Relations Center, student government and University Counseling Center.

The week includes a screening of the film Prayers for Bobby, which portrays Mary Griffith, a faithful Christian mother who seeks spiritual healing for her homosexual son, as the cause of her son's suicide. According to a review at ReligionDispatches.org, the film biography ignores the real-life Bobby's drug use and "stint as a gay prostitute." The real Mary Griffith has renounced her faith and champions homosexual rights, including same-sex marriage.

Notre Dame also will participate in the national "Day of Silence" on April 17, an event to oppose harassment of homosexual students in schools. Despite the worthy goal, the national event is used by the sponsoring Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to promote school curricula that equate "sexual identity" with racial and ethnic differences, without clarification about the moral and health consequences of homosexual activity.

The announced agenda for the week indicates no effort to teach students about Catholic teaching on homosexual activity as gravely sinful.

April 17 is the one-year anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's address to Catholic educators in Washington, D.C., during which he called Catholic colleges and universities to a stronger Catholic identity.

"We observe today a timidity in the face of the category of the good and an aimless pursuit of novelty parading as the realization of freedom," Pope Benedict said. He continued, "[P]articularly disturbing, is the reduction of the precious and delicate area of education in sexuality to management of 'risk,' bereft of any reference to the beauty of conjugal love."

Meanwhile, Notre Dame's plan to bestow an honorary law degree on President Barack Obama on May 17 has been protested by students and alumni, 31 Catholic bishops, 10 Holy Cross priests and more than a quarter million Catholics at www.NotreDameScandal.com, which was established by The Cardinal Newman Society.

# # #

600 Priests and Deacons Denounce Notre Dame Scandal

2009-04-11T14:25:00.001-04:00

600 Priests and Deacons Denounce Notre Dame Scandal
By Kathleen Gilbert

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, April 9, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, a national association of 600 priests and deacons, has issued a statement urging the University of Notre Dame to rescind the invitation to President Obama to be the commencement speaker for this year's graduation and receive an honorary law degree May 17.

The invitation has drawn criticism from Catholics across America, including 31 bishops and over a quarter million Americans who have signed a petition launched by the Cardinal Newman Society against the scandal (http://www.notredamescandal.com).

The Confraternity today called upon Notre Dame to honor the late Pope John Paul II's papal letter, Ex Corde Ecclesiae, which requires Catholic colleges and universities to conform to and defend Magisterial teaching.

"If need be, a Catholic University must have the courage to speak uncomfortable truths which do not please public opinion, but which are necessary to safeguard the authentic good of society," the Pope wrote in the 1990 document, going on to cite the "responsibility to try to communicate to society ... principles which give full meaning to human life" as "a specific priority" of Catholic schools.

"The decision ... to afford an openly pro-abortion politician the privilege of speaking to graduating seniors at the commencement violates every principle of Catholic education insofar as it violates both Divine and Natural Law," said the Confraternity. "We are therefore saddened and outraged that any Catholic institution, let alone a prestigious university like Notre Dame, would afford a public gesture of acceptance and endorsement to a politician who openly supports the so-called legal 'right' to 'choose death', i.e., the direct killing of an unborn human being."

The Confraternity called the reasoning that the invitation would foster "dialogue" with the President on life issues "a non sequitur." "Speaking at Commencement is not an open debate, it is a monologue," said the clergymen. "Parents did not pay tuition for celebrities to speak at their son or daughter's graduation, they paid it to ensure a Catholic education."

Noting that they welcome respectful debate on life issues, the group states, "It is an oxymoron at best and an outrageous insult at worst to ask a politician, even a president, who is openly pro-abortion to be Commencement Speaker at a graduation from a Catholic school.

"President Obama is not only ideologically but also legislatively and administratively proactive in perpetuating and proliferating abortion," affirmed the Confraternity. "Honor the office and respect the man but repudiate and denounce his policies and appointments which endorse and promote the injustice of abortion."

Pro-Abortion Journalist Chris Matthews to Offer Commencement Address at Catholic St. Joseph's University

2009-04-04T07:46:00.001-04:00

Pro-Abortion Journalist Chris Matthews to Offer Commencement Address at Catholic St. Joseph's University

By Kathleen Gilbert

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, April 3, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Undeterred by the Notre Dame scandal, another Catholic University has invited a pro-abortion celebrity to address the school and receive an honorary degree at this year's graduation ceremony.

St Joseph's University of Philadelphia announced in March that political commentator Chris Matthews, a vocal proponent of abortion, is due to offer the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate in communications at the 2009 Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16.

Despite his avowed identity as a Roman Catholic, Matthews is known for his strong support of legalized abortion.

Matthews recently sparked criticism on the March 2 edition of his program, MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews," for a statement comparing pro-life advocates to terrorists.

Referring to the Senate confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius, President Obama's radically pro-abortion pick to head the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Matthews asked Lois Romano of the Washington Post, "Is she gonna get through the terrorism of the anti-abortion people?"

Matthews went on to complain about the possibility that Sebelius' connections to notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller could slow up the Senate proceedings.

In 2003, when Matthews was honored at commencement ceremonies at both Holy Cross College of Massachusetts and the University of Scranton, the bishops of both Catholic schools - Worcester Bishop Daniel P. Reilly and Scranton Bishop James Timlin - boycotted the ceremonies.

The office of Philadelphia's Cardinal Rigali, who heads the pro-life arm of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, did not have immediate comment.

St. Joseph's University did not immediately return calls from LifeSiteNews.com seeking comment.

To contact St. Joseph's University:

Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
Office of the President
Saint Joseph's University
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395
tlannon@sju.edu
University operator: 610-660-1000

Holy Cross Superior writes to Obama over Notre Dame invite

2009-04-01T17:05:00.004-04:00

Note: Though the good priest is to be commended for framing the incident correctly, it really appears that as a so-called superior, like the bishops, he's just passing the buck. There are certainly actions at his disposal that he could take to stop this travesty but he won't. Shepherd lay down their lives for their sheep. They protect them. Who is standing up for the devout Catholics at Notre Dame who are being marginalized by this? Answer: No one.

Holy Cross Superior writes to Obama over Notre Dame invite

Bridgeport, Conn., Mar 31, 2009 / 07:21 pm (CNA).- Today Holy Cross Superior General, Fr. Hugh W. Cleary, released an open letter to President Barack Obama addressing the Notre Dame scandal and claiming that Obama has "made a mistake" on his support for legalized abortion.

However, Fr. Cleary said that he is unable to rescind the invitation since Notre Dame is legally seperate from the Holy Cross order.Opening his letter to Obama, Fr. Cleary explained the history of the University of Notre Dame and its founding by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, of which he is the Superior General. Fr. Cleary was also careful to note that he does not have authority over the decision -making of the university, a power which rests in the hands of its Board of Fellows and Board of Trustees. He did say, on the other hand, that he exercises personal authority over all Holy Cross priests, including Fr. John Jenkins, the university's president.

The Holy Cross Superior General then congratulated the President for being awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree and spent the next 13 pages of his letter addressing Obama's support for abortion rights and posing the question, "How are we Catholics to participate in all levels of government without betraying our consciences?"

After complementing Obama's intellect and understanding of "the issues of our day," Fr. Cleary then asked Obama not to "dismiss [Catholic] views too off-handedly, without giving them the serious attention and reflection they deserve."

Already, said Fr. Cleary, many faithful Catholics "feel out of the mainstream" when it comes to our "nation's direction and decision making."

Brushing aside the idea that the Notre Dame outrage is "partisan politics," Fr. Cleary said that he wants to "rejoice in [Obama's] presence at Notre Dame," but wonders how Catholics should "deal with [him], or any other government leader, who upholds what we believe to be the intrinsic evil of abortion."

Fr. Cleary called on Obama to re-evaluate the "civil laws framing our United States cultural values" which see a human embryo growing as just "new tissue, a kind of cancerous, biological growth infecting a woman's body and threatening a woman's independent way of life."

In a reference to slavery, Fr. Cleary said that the United States has a history of defining "parameters of human life when it suits our self interest" saying that slavery was a way of "denying that a black human being of African decent" was not fully human for the sake of "economic progress," just like many argue an unwanted child could be for a struggling mother.

He also questioned how a Catholic should respond to a government and a president that are willing to support the Freedom of Choice Act, which would force faith-based hospitals to perform abortions, or deny health care workers their freedom to choose life. Obama's logic would then make it "lawful to choose abortion but it [would] be a crime to choose life," a postiion that Fr. Cleary believes would be a government "persecution of the Catholic Church."

Pondering the possible passage of FOCA, he wondered if it would mean that Catholics should "flee to Canada in protest" or the desert as early Christians did to escape the "sinful society seemingly beyond conversion."

The Pope's visit to Africa, Fr. Cleary said, is another example of "Catholic bashing" and persecution of the Church by the "free press." By focusing on a sound-byte by the Pope, instead of his entire "thoughtful and gracious answer" the "industrial news media complex" has shown it is more eager to "make news and money" than properly report and enforce the values. Cleary also said he feared that media owners have become the "new teaching hierarchy of the culture wars," which the Catholic Church cannot compete with.

Drawing his letter to a close, the Holy Cross superior told President Obama that "[Catholics] want to be taken seriously. We insist on taking ourselves seriously, that is why there has been so much protest and turmoil in regard to your presence at Notre Dame." He then offered a topic for Obama's commencement speech: "how Catholics can be taken seriously for our faith convictions without being dismissed off-handedly and shunned."

CNA was able to obtain the full letter Fr. Cleary sent to President Obama. To read the letter, please click here.

Archbishop Nienstedt protests 'egregious' invite of Obama to Notre Dame

2009-04-01T16:54:00.003-04:00

Archbishop Nienstedt protests 'egregious' invite of Obama to Notre Dame

Minneapolis, Minn., Apr 1, 2009 / 05:37 am (CNA).- Citing President Barack Obama's "deliberate disregard of the unborn," Archbishop John Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis has written to the president of the University of Notre Dame, protesting the "egregious decision" to invite the president as commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. The archbishop joins several other U.S. bishops who have opposed the invitation.

Writing a March 31 letter to University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Archbishop Nienstedt characterized President Obama as a former "pro-abortion legislator" who has indicated his "deliberate disregard for the unborn" by promoting "the FOCA agenda" and "lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research."

The Freedom of Choice Act involves laws that would further enshrine permissive abortion policies in federal law and could threaten both restrictions on taxpayer funding for abortions and protections for those who object to performing abortions. The "FOCA agenda" is a term used by FOCA opponents to describe the piecemeal implementation of FOCA and other pro-abortion legislation.

President Obama recently overturned President George W. Bush's restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. President Bush did not ban the research outright.

Archbishop Nienstedt in his letter also objected to President Obama's "open support for gay rights."

"It is a travesty that the University of Notre Dame, considered by many to be a Catholic University, should give its public support to such an anti-Catholic politician," the archbishop wrote, asking President Jenkins to reconsider the decision.

If the decision is not reconsidered, the archbishop said, "please do not expect me to support your University in the future."

Responding to the letter, Patrick Reilly, President of the Cardinal Newman Society, said the faithful owe "a debt of prayerful thanks" to Archbishop Nienstedt.

The Cardinal Newman Society, an organization dedicated to strengthening Catholic higher education, has organized a petition drive asking President Jenkins to rescind the invitation to President Obama. As of Tuesday afternoon the petition had more than 220,000 signatures.

Notre Dame's 2009 commencement is scheduled for May 17.

Exclusive: President of US Bishops' Conference: Notre Dame Obama Invite an "Extreme Embarassment"

2009-04-01T12:21:00.002-04:00

Note: I can agree that this is an embarrassment to the bishops but only because it exposes their impotence and lack of action regarding Catholic institutions in America. If they really want to, they could end the embarrassment simply by declaring Notre Dame "Not Catholic". Then Notre Dame would have two options - remove Father Jenkins and dis invite President Obama or agree that they are no longer a Catholic institution. Either way, the scandal goes away. But the bishops, as is almost always the case, reserve penalties for monetary issues only and this incident is likely to produce not cost money.

Exclusive: President of US Bishops' Conference: Notre Dame Obama Invite an "Extreme Embarrassment"

By Kathleen Gilbert

NOTRE DAME, Indiana, March 31, 2009

(LifeSiteNews.com) - Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, has said that the University of Notre Dame's decision to host and honor President Obama at their commencement ceremony this year was an "extreme embarrassment" to Catholics.

"Whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation," George told the crowd at a conference Saturday on the Vatican document Dignitatis Personae. The conference was hosted by the Chicago archdiocese's Respect Life office and Office for Evangelization at the Marriott O'Hare hotel.

In a video obtained by LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) today, Cardinal George prefaced his remarks by noting that although he is the president of the USCCB, he does not have jurisdiction or authority over other bishops. His role, he indicated, nonetheless has "some moral authority, without any kind of jurisdiction or any sort of real authority."

(Download the brief video to view in Windows Media format - http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/video/CardinalGeorge.wmv - or QuickTime format - http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/video/CardinalGeorge.mov - allow time for the download to complete.)

"As president of the U.S. bishops' conference I have to precisely speak for the bishops and not in my own name, as I could as Archbishop of Chicago," he added.

George said he had spoken with the administrative committee of the bishops' conference and corresponded with University president Fr. John Jenkins several times on the issue.

"That conversation will continue .... whether or not it will have some kind of consequence that will bring, I think, the University of Notre Dame to its [the USCCB's] understanding of what it means to be Catholic," said the Cardinal. "That is, when you're Catholic, everything you do changes the life of everybody else who calls himself a personal Catholic - it's a network of relationships.

"So quite apart from the president's own positions, which are well known, the problem is in that you have a Catholic university - the flagship Catholic university - do something that brought extreme embarrassment to many, many people who are Catholic," said the cardinal.

"So whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation, and didn't anticipate the kind of uproar that would be consequent to the decision, at least not to the extent that it has happened," said George.

The Cardinal urged concerned Catholics "to do what you are supposed to be doing: to call, to email, to write letters, to express what's in your heart about this: the embarrassment, the difficulties."

However, Cardinal George emphasized that the U.S. presidency "is an office that deserves some respect, no matter who is holding it," and said that Notre Dame would not disinvite the president, since "you just don't do that (disinvite the president of the United States)."

According to the cardinal requests to revoke the invitation would fall on deaf ears, but he also observed that there is legitimate potential to organize some form of protest at the ceremony.

"You have to sit back and get past the immediate moral outrage and say, 'Now what's the best thing to do in these circumstances?'" said the Cardinal.

"I can assure you the bishops are doing that."

Cardinal George is the ninth U.S. bishop to speak out against the scandal.

Is Notre Dame Still Catholic?

2009-03-31T12:48:00.003-04:00

Is Notre Dame Still Catholic?

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
By Patrick J. Buchanan

By inviting Barack Obama to deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at Notre Dame, the Rev. John Jenkins has polarized the Catholic community nationwide--and raised a question. What does it mean to be a Catholic university in post-Christian America?

Are there truths about faith and morality that are closed to debate at Notre Dame? Or is Notre Dame like London's Hyde Park, where all ideas and all advocates get a hearing?

To Catholics, abortion is the killing of an unborn child, a premeditated breach of God's Commandment "Thou Shalt Not Kill." The case is closed for all time. Any who participate in an abortion are excommunicated. Catholic politicians from Nancy Pelosi to Joe Biden who support a "woman's right to choose" have been denounced from pulpits and denied Communion.

Obama, however, is the most pro-abortion president ever. On his third day in office, by executive order, he repealed the Bush prohibition against using tax dollars to fund agencies abroad that perform abortions.

He supports partial-birth abortion, where a baby's soft skull is sliced open with scissors in the birth canal and its brains sucked out to ease its passage, a procedure Sen. Pat Moynihan said "comes as close to infanticide as anything I have seen in our judiciary."

In the Illinois legislature, Obama helped block the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, a bill to save the lives of infant survivors of abortion. He voted to allow doctors and nurses to let these tiny babies die of neglect and be tossed out with the medical waste.

Barack is committed to signing the Freedom of Choice Act, which would repeal every federal and state restriction on abortion. He has smoothed the path for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Notre Dame, a university that teaches that all innocent human life is sacred, will thus honor a leader determined to ensure that a woman's right to destroy her unborn child in the womb remains unrestricted.

There is thus a direct clash between what Notre Dame professes to stand for and what Notre Dame is doing.

Says Ralph McInerny, a philosophy professor since 1955: "By inviting Barack Obama to be the 2009 commencement speaker, Notre Dame has forfeited its right to call itself a Catholic University... (T)his is a deliberate thumbing of the collective nose at the Roman Catholic Church to which Notre Dame purports to be faithful.

"Faithful? Tell it to Julian the Apostate."

McInerny calls Father Jenkins' invitation to Obama worse than the "usual effort of the university to get into warm contact with the power figures of the day. It is an unequivocal abandonment of any pretense at being a Catholic university."

An honorary degree, writes Catholic author George Weigel, is a statement that here is a man we should admire and emulate. But how can a Catholic university say that about a man who means to appoint Supreme Court justices who will keep constitutional and legal the systematic slaughter of the unborn that has taken 50 million lives in 35 years?

Can Father Jenkins not see the contradiction here that renders Notre Dame a morally incoherent institution?

Diocesan Bishop John D'Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend has told Father Jenkins he will not be attending commencement because of Obama's support of embryonic stem cell research.

Said the bishop, "While claiming to separate policies from science, (Obama) has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life."

Pope Benedict has yet to be heard from. But on his visit to the United States, he declared that any appeal to academic freedom "to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission."

Does not honoring the most visible pro-abortion advocate in America “betray the identity and mission” of Notre Dame?
Father Jenkins says the invitation "should not be taken as condoning or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life."

But what Notre Dame is saying with this invitation is that Obama's 100 percent support for policies and programs that bring death to more than a million unborn children every year is no disqualification to being honored by a university dedicated to Our Lady who carried to term the Son of God.

Chris Carrington, a political science major, regards the opposition to Obama's appearance as un-Catholic: "To not allow someone here because of their beliefs would seem a little hypocritical and contradictory to what the mission of the university and church should be."

The obtuse Carrington has stumbled on the relevant question: Is Notre Dame still a repository, teacher and exemplar of eternal truths about God and Man, right and wrong, whose mission is to convey and defend those truths in a hostile world?

Or has Notre Dame joined the secularists in their endless scavenger hunt to seek and find truth in the marketplace of ideas?

Pro-Abortion, Anti-Catholic Abuses Continue at Georgetown in Wake of 'Sex Positive Week'

2009-03-30T14:22:00.003-04:00

Note: Very simple solution. Local Bishop declares Georgetown University "Not Catholic". Why the resistance? If you want to find a tepid response to scandal, just look at how the US Bishops respond to pro abortion politicians and dissenting colleges.

Even as Catholics remain stunned by Georgetown University's "Sex Positive Week" which took place last month, the Jesuit, Catholic institution is investigating two incidents of desecration of a statue of Mary and will host two events this week promoting abortion rights.

"This new string of depraved and anti-Catholic events taking place at Georgetown are symptomatic of a much deeper contempt for the university's Catholic identity, even at the top levels of the administration" said Patrick Reilly, President of The Cardinal Newman Society. "For anyone familiar with Georgetown, scandals on campus are no longer surprising and much less shocking than they should be."

In February, The Cardinal Newman Society raised public awareness about "Sex Positive Week," which took place during the first week of Lent at Georgetown. The week-long series included talks celebrating extra-marital sex and pornography. One talk was given by a director of pornographic films.

Tonight, March 30, at 8 p.m. in Georgetown's Reiss building, the unofficial student club H*yas for Choice is sponsoring a workshop titled, Sex, Lies, and Crisis Pregnancy Centers. According to an advertisement for the event on Facebook, pro-life crisis pregnancy "centers are working hard at undoing a legacy of education and outreach to women of all ages, ethnicities, and sexualities by spreading misinformation about the ‘repercussions of abortion’ and how STI's like HIV/AIDS are transmitted. We've got to know where they come from to know how to put an end to it. This workshop reveals the players, the funding, the tactics of Crisis Pregnancy Centers and the impacts on young women."

Another event, scheduled to take place tomorrow evening on campus, is titled Being Religious AND Pro-Choice. The ad for this event, also on Facebook, invites students to "Come and hear representatives from Catholics for Choice and Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom discuss how they incorporate their pro-choice beliefs with their religious beliefs. Find out how they have dealt with adversity and opposition, and about the work they currently do reaching out to young people. And most of all, come see why being religious doesn't mean you can't be pro-choice."

According to The Hoya last week, a prominent statue of Our Lady of Fatima was desecrated for a second time on campus in less than a month. The vandalism was discovered on the morning of Saturday, March 21, with the face of Mary again painted black. When the first desecration of the statue occurred, a group of concerned students organized a 24-hour prayer vigil in response, but the university's response has been tepid.

During the holy season of Lent, The Cardinal Newman Society has encouraged its more than 20,000 members to pray for the spiritual renewal of all 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States.

Touchdown Obama

2009-03-28T12:02:00.001-04:00

Touchdown Obama

By George Neumayr
on 3.27.09 @ 6:08AM

The Catholic Church in America has bred her own destroyers, graduating from doctrinally corrupt catechetical programs, schools and colleges two generations of pro-abortion politicians. Barack Obama, in his effortless Alinskyite style, has exploited this phenomenon to the hilt, seeking out Catholics such as Joe Biden and Kathleen Sebelius to serve as his agents of destruction.

The controversy this week at Notre Dame is one more snapshot of this self-implosion. Here we have the American bishops' most prominent university planning to confer an honorary degree upon Obama even as he accelerates the destruction of its moral teachings.

Were Saul Alinsky alive today, he would have to smile at the ease of it all. Obama can not only thwart the Church at every crucial turn and still retain the Catholic vote; he can even expect over the next few years prizes and pats on the back from Catholic colleges for doing so.

Jesuit Georgetown University is no doubt itching to honor him too; its professors ranked seventh among all university faculties in donations to Obama during the campaign, reported the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Jesuit magazine America and Jesuit Thomas Reese rushed to Notre Dame's defense this week.

Perhaps Obama enthusiast/fellow Alinskyite Father Michael Pfleger can travel over from Chicago for ND's commencement exercises to fill in for the boycotting Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop John D'Arcy.

To his credit, D'Arcy, a long and lonely opponent of Notre Dame's secularization, wants no part in the sham, correctly noting that the school is once again panting after "prestige" at the expense of "truth." Four decades of surrendering to secularist culture and championing progressive politics at Notre Dame have culminated in an honorary degree to the most pro-abortion president ever.

Responding to this criticism, its president, Father John Jenkins, has had to dust off the "dialogue" defense from the recent Vagina Monologues controversy on campus to justify his decision.

Out rolled from the president's office the familiar cart of clichés. "You cannot change the world if you shun the people you want to persuade, and if you cannot persuade them…show respect for them and listen to them," Jenkins was quoted as saying.

What's the logic here? To dialogue with a public figure a school has to confer an honorary degree upon him? This makes no sense, but it is the kind of head-faking non sequitur that appeals to Jenkins.

Just as he twisted the Vagina Monologues controversy into a beside-the-point discussion about the value of free speech, so he is casting this recent one as some sort of test of Notre Dame's commitment to "positive engagement."

The White House, sensing the drift of this script, joined in the charade, saying in response to the controversy that it welcomes the "spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues."

Which makes one wonder: When exactly will the debate take place? Before, during or after the commencement exercises? Will it proceed like Jenkins' "creative contexualization" panel discussions about the Vagina Monologues? Or is Obama's interest in "healthy disagreement" about as plausible as Jenkins' notion of "positive engagement"?

Notice also that for additional PR protection Jenkins is playing the race card. "It is of special significance that we will hear from our first African-American president, a person who has spoken eloquently and movingly about race in this nation. Racial prejudice has been a deep wound in America, and Mr. Obama has been a healer," he was quoted saying this week.

Again, how is this relevant to honorary-degree-conferring from a Catholic university? Does opposing racial injustice absolve supporting other injustices?

Imagine a reverse scenario, say a politician who supported the Church's moral teachings down the line but had some racist blot in his past. Would Jenkins honor him? No, he woudn't dare. But somehow Obama's formal cooperation in the injustice of destroying innocent lives just isn't so bad.

George Neumayr is editor of Catholic World Report and press critic for California Political Review.

The Big Lie

2009-03-27T08:51:00.004-04:00

For Thirty Pieces of Silver?

The furor about President Barack Obama's invitation and honor at Notre Dame brings this blog full circle from where it started. Our objective was to show how most of the Catholic colleges and universities were now under the control of dissenters, heretics and secularists more concerned with prestige among their peers than the truthful formation of Catholic leaders.

The basic premise is that Catholic higher education has strayed so far from Catholic faith and morals as to actuaally be a weapon of Antichrist. It actually serves to deceive the faithful, and is leading many astray. That the trappings of Church imagery and ritual are involved makes it even more diabolical.

Both Obama and Jenkins have chosen extremely deceptive terms to describe this as a "dialogue" and "engagement" as though there was going to be a debate or questions and answers. There isn't. There's going to be a commencement address (read from a TelePrompter no doubt) and an honorary degree conferred. This is in direct contradiction to the US bishops statement on pro-abortion politicians not receiving either a platform or honors from Catholic institutions. In other words, Jenkins is lying.

I read a blog by a priest who wanted to downplay the issue by claiming that Catholic colleges aren't really Catholic but just have a Catholic legacy or were historically founded by Catholics and that they no longer maintain that identity. This premise is simply dishonest on a number of levels.

First, Notre Dame like many prominent Catholic universities trades on its Catholic identity to pull in massive donations from its alumni to bolster its huge endowment. These alumni have been polled and 73% oppose the Obama invitation and honor. Were Notre Dame to be declared no longer Catholic, I wonder how many of these donors would dissociate themselves from it and put there charity elsewhere.

As an aside, I wonder how the translation "Our Lady" would fit a secular school. Perhaps they would claim a new lady and redo the mosaic of Jesus to look like some secular hero, maybe even Obama.

Second, the invitation to Obama reportedly came from the university's president, Father Jenkins, a Catholic priest. At his ordination, if he was licitly ordained, Jenkins vowed obedience to the pope and the magisterium. There is no question the invitation and honor being given to Obama is an act of disobedience. Bishops have stated as much but one need not look far to the past to read the words of the pope himself who addressed Catholic higher education during his recent visit to the US. How ironic then that the qualification for leading Notre Dame, that of being a priest, is also what puts this man in position to secularize the school.

Third, canon law is not silent on what constitutes a Catholic institution or the role of the local bishop to rule on such matters. Indeed sadly there have been a few schools formally declared "not Catholic" over the last decade or so. But this was not done to make a statement of admonishment or correction but only after the actuality of secularization had already occurred. If the Bishop in Indiana were to issue such a decree concerning Notre Dame, all hell would surely break loose.

But what if a bishop did use this tool to correct rather than separate a major Catholic institution? Would alumni pressure the school to return to its roots? Would the religious order in charge of that school remove the president and effect the proper reforms? Would the governing board act to preserve the legacy that has been its cash cow over the years? After all, isn't this really about money in the first place? Notre Dame wants to be recognized as a premier research institution in order to attract not only the top students but research dollars. Having the sitting president, fresh off his historic campaign win, attracts the attention Jenkins craves. It also positions him for some of the massive spending Obama and his administration are proposing.

Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver. Notre Dame surely wants a bit more to sell its soul.

And Obama? Surely he is aware that the majority of Catholics voted for him despite his obvious pro-abortion policies. And he is also cognizant that support among those Catholics has slipped in reaction to his change on the Mexico City policy, embryonic stem cell research, conscience protections for health care workers, as well as his appointments of radical pro abortion cabinet members like Kathleen Sebeilius.

So being not only invited to speak at Notre Dame but also receiving an honorary degree gives Obama the platform he's seeking, an approval from the university most identified with Catholicism in America. As the uproar grows I wonder if Jenkins, reveling in the controversy no doubt, just keeps raising the price to be paid for his feigned suffering.

Most disconcerting of course is that there are devout traditional Catholics who chose Notre Dame for its Catholic identity and trappings. As is usually the case in this putrid environment of dissent and apostasy, they are increasingly marginalized and looked down upon by a secular elite that includes many in collars. Who speaks for them? It's obvious that the university president, his order, and the board that appoints or approves him has no interest in addressing the legitimate grievances of practicing Catholics. Their position at Notre Dame is not materially different than at any secular or state run school. Indeed, the school will no doubt take steps to ensure they don't mess up the love fest with their protests.

Many are praising Bishop D'Arcy for deciding not to attend the ceremony. But D'Arcy is responsible for the Catholics in his diocese. How does he make the Catholics at Notre Dame whole? How does he shepherd them? Withdrawal and letter writing affect Jenkins about as much as UN resolutions affect Iran. D'Arcy does have a chance to do more. If only he and the rest of the US bishops had the courage.

-ITH

Notre Dame's Faustian Bargain

2009-03-26T18:21:00.002-04:00

Note: A good article that sums up what's going on at Notre Dame...

Notre Dame's Faustian Bargain

By Stephen Barr
Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 12:00 AM

My younger son will be graduating from the University of Notre Dame in May. Last Friday, he informed me that President Obama will be giving the commencement speech and will be awarded an honorary degree. I was, frankly, stunned. The joyful event of our son's graduation has now been overshadowed by a dark cloud. I am proud of my son and of all he achieved at Notre Dame, but I am ashamed of Notre Dame itself.

How can an institution that purports to be Catholic honor as a "doctor of law"--literally a "teacher of law"--a President who has made it very clear by word and deed that he intends to remove from the laws of this nation anything that defends unborn human life? Of course, there is more to Obama than his position on abortion and the life issues. There are things about him that anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, can respect and admire. But can they justify overlooking his appalling stance on abortion?

Abortion is a defining issue of our time, in the way that slavery was in the mid-nineteenth century and segregation and racial discrimination were in the mid-twentieth century. Overlooking the pro-abortion views of a politician now would be analogous to overlooking pro-slavery or segregationist views in those eras. Would Notre Dame have invited a champion of segregation to be a commencement speaker in the 1960s, however brilliant or talented, however well-meaning in other ways and on other issues he or she may have been?

Some will say that there is no comparison between the issues of racial discrimination and abortion. From a Christian point of view, however, they are at root the same issue: the respect due to our fellow human beings simply as human beings. The lives of fifty million innocent human beings have been snuffed out in the United States since 1973, so it would be absurd to suggest that abortion is less serious an issue than racial discrimination.

The difference between the two issues lies not in their intrinsic moral gravity, but in the way that society views them. Virtually everyone agrees that racial discrimination is morally repugnant. There is a strong social consensus on that issue, whereas on abortion at present there is not. The social elites of this country are largely pro-choice, and being pro-choice is regarded by many as a mark of enlightenment. This, I think, has everything to do with why an institution like Notre Dame would never honor a champion of segregation, but would honor a champion of so-called abortion rights. What governs the moral reflexes of institutions like Notre Dame is not how things appear in the light of the gospel, but how they appear in the eyes of the social elites--or to use more biblical language, how they appear to the world. St. Paul told us not be "conformed to this world," but to put on the "mind of Christ." It seems that the University of Notre Dame is conforming itself to the world.

While the news about President Obama's honorary degree was a nasty shock, I am not actually surprised. Nor was I surprised when Fr. Jenkins did his ignominious retreat on the Vagina Monologues a few years ago. Why was I not surprised then, and why am I not surprised now? It has to do with an experience I had three years ago, when my wife and I were attending Junior Parents' Weekend at Notre Dame for our older son. At that point Fr. Jenkins was still holding the line against showing the Monologues on campus. An article about the controversy had just appeared in the New York Times the previous day, and the tone of the article was distinctly anti-Jenkins. (It featured statements by Fr. Theodore Hesburgh critical of Jenkins’s stand--a revolting act of perfidy if ever there was one.) After the banquet for the juniors and their parents, I approached Fr. Jenkins to congratulate him and encourage him. I planned to say, "The New York Times doesn’t like you. But hang in there; you’re doing the right thing."

I got no further than the first sentence before Fr. Jenkins replied, "I didn’t think the article was that bad." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself that the article's treatment of him was not negative. I said no more to him but rejoined my wife and immediately said to her, "I think he is going to cave." There was something about what he said and the way he said it that made me realize that Fr. Jenkins craved the good opinion of the New York Times and its readers. That is natural, of course. We all like to be thought well of and to be spoken well of. But it is a weakness nonetheless, and one that we have been warned about: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you..."

That earlier betrayal by Notre Dame was caused by fear of the world's disapproval. The present one is caused by desire for worldly status. There is a Faustian bargain being struck. President Obama has been feeling great heat on the life issues due to the courageous stands by many of the country's Catholic bishops. Speaking at and being honored by Notre Dame is a way for him to insulate himself from that heat. In return, Notre Dame gets to seem important, by basking in the glory of a presidential visit. The university is willing to sacrifice the integrity of the Church's moral witness on the central social-justice issue of our time to pursue its institutional ambitions.
Let us pray for the University of Notre Dame.

Stephen M. Barr, a member of the editorial advisory board of First Things, is professor of physics at the Bartol Research Institute.