You can't help but wonder just what was going through the minds of the administration of Notre Dame University in deciding to honor the most virulent baby-killing politician we have ever experienced in our political life. Putting aside for a moment "The One's" self-absorbed obsession with the socialist agenda, his actions alone since his inauguration have demonstrated his utter disregard for innocent human life and his pandering to the forces of Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry. He has most clearly exposed himself for what he is, and that is a vile and unprincipled demagogue beholden to his liberal taskmasters.
Now, we have probably the most prestigious "Catholic" (in quotes, since they certainly aren't acting like it...) university in the US giving him a honorary LAW degree. And a platform to talk on. And publicity. And, no doubt, talking points that he can use later to say "well, Catholics aren't really out of step with the rest of society" or some such tripe.
It's bad enough that most "Catholic" universities have long since renounced their obligations (under the Land O'Lakes statement of 1967) to the Faith (full disclosure: I'm a graduate of Fordham University and suffered through the dissident Jesuit theology of the 1970s...) and thumb their noses at Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
But, to assist in keeping someone like Obama, a professed and venal supporter of abortion, infanticide, and all the rest of the ills that are contributing to the destruction of our society, in front of the public as well as holding him up as worthy of an honorary degree...the mind boggles at the stupidity on the part of the President of Notre Dame.
"Oh, it will be a chance to dialogue...", right? Yeah. Dialoguing with someone like that is a pipe dream. Someone I know likened it to two wolves and a sheep discussing what's for dinner.
But, the reaction is vocal, public, and real. Witness the following statement issued by the Student Coalition at the University and the signatories to this remarkable protest:
--
In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, CSC’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame’s principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.
The University’s decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, “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.” Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President’s views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our “fundamental moral principles” must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama’s actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications. Leadership that puts the lives of the most innocent at risk is leadership we must disdain. In the face of President Obama’s actions, Father Jenkins’ words ring hollow.
It is a great irony that the University has chosen to award President Obama an honorary law degree. As the oldest Catholic law school in the country, the Notre Dame Law School states that its mission is “to facilitate greater understanding of and commitment to the relationship between law and social justice.” The social justice issue of our day is the deliberate, legal attack on the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn. To award a Notre Dame law degree to a lawyer and politician who has used the law to deny equality to the unborn diminishes the value of the degree itself.
Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they can attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful.
In response to the University’s decision, we pledge ourselves to acts of witness that will be characterized by respect, prayerfulness, outspoken fidelity to the Church, and true concern for the good of our University. It is appropriate that only members of the Notre Dame community lead all such protests, and we ask outside groups to respect our responsibilities in this regard. Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community. We request any groups who are committed to respectful actions to support our efforts, thereby ensuring a unified front and a more compelling public witness.
In Notre Dame,
Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
The Federalist Society at Notre Dame Law School
--
The Coalition's website is here.
On this feast of the Annunciation, pray Our Lady intercedes at the university that has borne Her name and has sunk to this level.
Now, we have probably the most prestigious "Catholic" (in quotes, since they certainly aren't acting like it...) university in the US giving him a honorary LAW degree. And a platform to talk on. And publicity. And, no doubt, talking points that he can use later to say "well, Catholics aren't really out of step with the rest of society" or some such tripe.
It's bad enough that most "Catholic" universities have long since renounced their obligations (under the Land O'Lakes statement of 1967) to the Faith (full disclosure: I'm a graduate of Fordham University and suffered through the dissident Jesuit theology of the 1970s...) and thumb their noses at Ex Corde Ecclesiae.
But, to assist in keeping someone like Obama, a professed and venal supporter of abortion, infanticide, and all the rest of the ills that are contributing to the destruction of our society, in front of the public as well as holding him up as worthy of an honorary degree...the mind boggles at the stupidity on the part of the President of Notre Dame.
"Oh, it will be a chance to dialogue...", right? Yeah. Dialoguing with someone like that is a pipe dream. Someone I know likened it to two wolves and a sheep discussing what's for dinner.
But, the reaction is vocal, public, and real. Witness the following statement issued by the Student Coalition at the University and the signatories to this remarkable protest:
--
In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, CSC’s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame’s principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama’s hostility to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.
The University’s decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, “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.” Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President’s views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our “fundamental moral principles” must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama’s actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications. Leadership that puts the lives of the most innocent at risk is leadership we must disdain. In the face of President Obama’s actions, Father Jenkins’ words ring hollow.
It is a great irony that the University has chosen to award President Obama an honorary law degree. As the oldest Catholic law school in the country, the Notre Dame Law School states that its mission is “to facilitate greater understanding of and commitment to the relationship between law and social justice.” The social justice issue of our day is the deliberate, legal attack on the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn. To award a Notre Dame law degree to a lawyer and politician who has used the law to deny equality to the unborn diminishes the value of the degree itself.
Additionally, Fr. Jenkins has placed some of his students in a moral dilemma as to whether they can attend their own graduation. Many pro-life seniors, along with their families, are conflicted about whether to participate in the commencement ceremony. The lack of concern for these devoted sons and daughters of Notre Dame, who love this University and the Catholic principles on which it was built, is shameful.
In response to the University’s decision, we pledge ourselves to acts of witness that will be characterized by respect, prayerfulness, outspoken fidelity to the Church, and true concern for the good of our University. It is appropriate that only members of the Notre Dame community lead all such protests, and we ask outside groups to respect our responsibilities in this regard. Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community. We request any groups who are committed to respectful actions to support our efforts, thereby ensuring a unified front and a more compelling public witness.
In Notre Dame,
Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
The Federalist Society at Notre Dame Law School
--
The Coalition's website is here.
On this feast of the Annunciation, pray Our Lady intercedes at the university that has borne Her name and has sunk to this level.
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