Bishop John D'Arcy
Posted on 03/24/2009 11:28:08 AM PDT by NYer
.- Bishop John M. D'Arcy has issued a statement saying that he won't be attending Notre Dame's commencement exercises, which will feature President Obama as the keynote speaker and honor him with a doctor of laws degree.
The full statement of Bishop D'Arcy follows.
Concerning President Barack Obama speaking at Notre Dame
graduation, receiving honorary law degree
March 24, 2009 On Friday, March 21, Father John Jenkins, CSC, phoned to inform me that President Obama had accepted his invitation to speak to the graduating class at Notre Dame and receive an honorary degree. We spoke shortly before the announcement was made public at the White House press briefing. It was the first time that I had been informed that Notre Dame had issued this invitation.
President Obama has recently reaffirmed, and has now placed in public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold human life as sacred. While claiming to separate politics from science, he 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.
This will be the 25th Notre Dame graduation during my time as bishop. After much prayer, I have decided not to attend the graduation. I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well. I have always revered the Office of the Presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith “in season and out of season,” and he teaches not only by his words — but by his actions.
My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life.
I have in mind also the statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2004. “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.” Indeed, the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for.
I have spoken with Professor Mary Ann Glendon, who is to receive the Laetare Medal. I have known her for many years and hold her in high esteem. We are both teachers, but in different ways. I have encouraged her to accept this award and take the opportunity such an award gives her to teach.
Even as I continue to ponder in prayer these events, which many have found shocking, so must Notre Dame. Indeed, as a Catholic University, Notre Dame must ask itself, if by this decision it has chosen prestige over truth.
Tomorrow, we celebrate as Catholics the moment when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, became a child in the womb of his most holy mother. Let us ask Our Lady to intercede for the university named in her honor, that it may recommit itself to the primacy of truth over prestige.
There’s still one Priest with guts. Good for him.
I would not alow Hussein Obamna to speak, unless he presented his BIRTH CERTIFICATE! At least HE had the chance to be born, unlike the victims of Abortionism!
Too bad courage isn’t catching! Thank you Bishop.
A backbone is a wondrous, marvelous thing.
choosing “Prestige Over Truth” is the new Motto of Notre Fame.
Simple question:
Is there a Catholic with final say on matters at Notre Dame?
Bishop D’Arcy - take this up another level. You have the authority to deny Obama the right to speak at ND.
My point exactly in Post #9.
Bishop D’Arcy “boycotting” this would be akin to President Bush boycotting a military move.
Who is in charge here???
All it takes is one or two people to start it.
And please someone video it and dump it all over the web.
Someone should translate Prestige Over Truth into Latin and photoshop that into Notre Dame’s official seal. Critics like us then could use that parody/ critical seal whenever UND comes up in forum.
Yes. The Pope could direct the President of Notre Dame to recind the invitation but don’t look for it to happen soon, if at all. The idea that this president of the United States is headed to Notre Dame is a teaching moment for millions of Catholics and serves to highlight the moral decisions this president has made.
I wouldn’t be surprised that as this heats up, a way out is sought.
I don’t doubt what you say, but can you explain how higher-ups in the RCC can stop The One from speaking? Can the Archbishop of His Holiness effectively tell UND officials that “If he speaks, you are no longer to be considered a Catholic institution”? How would the choreography play out?
* the Archbishop OR His Holiness
It’s just like that scene in “Rudy” where the kid ran home instead of playing in the game...
Also, nobody gets in without a ticket and those are available from graduating seniors. So would be protesters will be easily excluded.
I would guess that only people who want to be in Obamas presence will be there. He's almost guaranteed a favorable audience.
What Archbishop. This is not an archdiocese
Good for Bishop D’Arcy.
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