[Mrs. Don-o]

Well, that's an interesting question. We went through all this in 2009 when ND awarded Obama an honorary doctorate. Turns out that ND essential broke away from the oversight of the Catholic Church in 1967, is separately incorporated, is controlled by a self-perpetuating board of trustees and fellows (that is, they elect their own members and successors) and it's a danged headache to find out who's responsible for anything.

They're technically able to call themselves a "Catholic" University because the Bishop of South Bend/Ft. Wayne has not revoked this right. But when then-Bishop John D'Arcy was challenged on this in 2009, he did boycott ND's commencement and went instead to an “alternative commencement” organized by "ND Response" (a campus pro-life group) and attended by an estimated 3,000 people.

But he would not revoke ND's right to call themselves a "Catholic" institution.

This ambiguity about "Who's really in charge here" is very intentional, I think. It gives ND tremendous institutional "cover" to do whatever they want.

Disturbing lack of leadership on the part of our bishops.

[IrishBrigade]

Disturbing lack of leadership on the part of our bishops.

...the last fifty years of Catholic worship is summed up in that little phrase...

...look what a little bit of perceived ‘collegiality’ can do...