Posted on 04/04/2009 5:18:50 AM PDT by kellynla
Controversy has erupted over Notre Dame's invitation to President Barack Obama to speak at its May commencement ceremony. The president will address the university and receive an honorary doctorate in law.
Bishop John J. D'Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese has decided not to attend the commencement, explaining, "My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life." Bishop D'Arcy's position is reflective of the outrage of many in the Catholic community.
Their angst is understandable since Mr. Obama has pursued a strong anti-life agenda both before and after assuming the office of president. Indeed, Mr. Obama’s actions are at odds with the very foundations of American law and justice: a belief that all men are created equal and that innocent human life should be protected by the state.
Catholic tradition is very clear that both abortion and the destruction of embryos undermine the basic principles of human life. The Catholic catechism states, "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life."
The catechism goes so far as to call for "excommunication latae sententiae" (essentially, immediate default excommunication) for anyone who cooperates in an abortion. With such clear, strict pro-life doctrine, it is no wonder that Catholics are up in arms over Notre Dame's decision to honor a man whose words and actions directly support the destruction of nascent human life.
Since taking office in January, President Obama has changed U.S. policy to support abortions abroad, removed limitations on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research (research which would require the destruction of embryos), and appears ready to remove federal laws which allow physicians to object on conscience to performing abortions or giving out contraceptives.
Moreover, the president promised during his campaign to repeal the Hyde amendment, an amendment that prevents federal funding of abortions (except in cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother).
He also promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would overturn nearly all state and federal restrictions on abortion and nearly all state and federal restrictions on funding for abortion.
The right to life has properly been described as the First Right. It is that right without which no other right can exist. As Pope John Paul II stated in his Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, "The inviolability of the person which is a reflection of the absolute inviolability of God, finds its primary and fundamental expression in the inviolability of human life.
Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights—for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture—is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination." The protection of human life is necessary to establish justice and compassion in society.
Notre Dame President Rev. John Jenkins has defended the school's position, calling the speech "a basis for further positive engagement." Pro-life Notre Dame alumnus Kenneth L. Woodward echoes this defense in a recent Washington Post column.
He explains that the university must necessarily allow for the open discussion of such issues, since it is "devoted to both faith and reason." Woodward and Jenkins miss a key distinction: There is a big difference between allowing a person to speak at a university and granting him an honorary degree and making him the centerpiece of commencement exercises.
The former can be defended on the grounds that a university should allow for a wide discussion of issues, but the latter expresses the university's stamp of approval on the president.
Catholic theologian and biographer, George Weigel, sees through Rev. Jenkins's faulty argument: "Commencement is not an occasion for debate. Commencement is not an opportunity to set the foundations for a dialogue. Commencement and award of an honorary degree is a statement on the part of the university that this is a life worth emulating."
Catholics have long upheld the importance of protecting nascent human life, even as other groups of Christians have succumbed to cultural pressures.
Pope Benedict XVI stated, "God's love does not differentiate between the newly conceived infant still in his or her mother's womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26) in each one."
Unfortunately, Notre Dame appears to value cultural approval more than the teachings of the Catholic Church.
By honoring Mr. Obama at its commencement, Notre Dame trivializes our culture's devaluation of human life.
The consequences of doing so are explained clearly in the Vatican's summary of Evangelium Vitae: "The causes of this 'culture of death which threatens man and civilization are traced by the Holy Father to a perverse idea of freedom, which is seen as disconnected from any reference to truth and objective good, and which asserts itself in an individualistic way, without the constitutive link of relationships with others."
Our culture is increasingly embracing a culture of death, and Notre Dame's blessing of our president is yet another disturbing sign of this trend. If even Catholics are abandoning their traditional, rich understanding of life, who will be left to defend it?
An outrage it is!
Kind of unAmerican,but I will respect your wish that the Roman Catholic Church be sacrosanct in this,I once believed,open forum for conservative patriots.
From now on I will just nail my rational disagreements with “The One True Church,” to a cathedral door like the founder of the Protestant reformation did.
Perhaps good things will follow again as it did then.
Thank God for Michelle Malkin...she has more guts than the entire MSM combined!
Good point, Kelly! I'm trying to remember if Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity brought this up on their FNC shows, but now I can't remember...
Do not assume they are pro-aborts: very likely some are, and some aren’t. Contact them quite politely and quite persistently, make sure their Catholic consciences begin to torment them. Exhibit intelligence and honor. Say what you truly believe. Sample letter below.
I am writing to appeal to you as a good man and a Catholic.
As you must know, the Obama Administration has now rescinded conscience protection for pro-life doctors, nurses, and healthcare institutions by eliminating HHS regulations which recognized the right NOT to participate in abortion.
This is a direct threat to every Catholic healthcare provider in this country.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated plainly that those who oppose the fundamental norms are "not to be given a platform or honors" by any Catholic institution.
Please take action in order to stop Barack Obama's proposed award of an Honorary Law Degree from Notre Dame. This is a Catholic honor to which Mr. Obama is not entitled.
This award is breaking the hearts and shocking the consciences of literally hundreds of thousands of people, some 230,000 of whom have already signed a petition calling for Notre Dame to dis-invite Mr. Obama. If the award is given as planned, it will be the ruin of the Soul of Notre Dame.
Please do what you can to stop this.
May God bless you.
Sincerely,
[signature]
[city and state]
This is meant to be an AD-HOC action list to (selectively) report and urge specific actions to stop Obama and win the Battle of Notre Dame. This is not just for Catholics. It's for anybody who wants --- in the words of Mary of Nazareth--- to "put down the mighty from their thrones" (baby-killers in high places) and to "lift up the humble" (tiny infants and their valiant defenders).
"Unfortunately, Notre Dame appears to value cultural approval more than the teachings of the Catholic Church. By honoring Mr. Obama at its commencement, Notre Dame trivializes our culture's devaluation of human life."
Judas Iscariot sold out for 30 pieces of silver.
ND sold out for less - approval from Harvard and Dems.
Thanks and will do.
THANKS...will make calls on Monday!
http://www.nd.edu/leadership/fellows/
The Fellows of the University are a "self perpetuating body," consisting of six members whom at all times must be "members of the Priests Society of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, and six of whom shall be lay persons." The Fellows are the "successors and associates in office" of the original founders of the University and perform the following duties of office:
Determine powers to be delegated to the Board of Trustees; Elect the Trustees of the University in accordance with the Bylaws;
Adopt and amend the Bylaws of the University;
Approve the sale or transfer of substantial parts of the University’s physical property;
Ensure that the University maintains its essential character as a Catholic institution of higher learning;
Ensure that the University’s operations make full use of the skills and dedication of the members of the Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, Inc.;
Ensure that the University "continues its long-standing policy of admitting students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin."
The current list of fellows is below:
Rev. E. William Beauchamp, C.S.C.
William M. Goodyear, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Member of Executive Committee, Navigant Consulting Inc.
Rev. Peter A. Jarret, C.S.C.
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
The Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., D.D.
Patrick F. McCartan, Managing Partner of Jones Day from 1993 through 2002
Terrence J. McGlinn, President and Owner All Star Distributing Company, Inc.
Richard C. Notebaert, chairman and chief executive officer of Qwest Communications International Inc.
Shirley W. Ryan, long-time advocate for persons with physical and sensory issues, she co-created and inspired Pathways Center (1985), a best-practices outpatient pediatric treatment center for infants and children, to unlock their physical and sensory movement abilities.
Rev. Timothy R. Scully, C.S.C.
Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C.
Arthur R. Velasquez, founder of Azteca Corn Products Corporation
E-mail from unknown senders most likely gets deleted.
Your caveat to be polite and rational is most important; and remember to double check spelling and grammar.
(of course yours is impeccable)
xxoo
If you can supply any contact info, please Personal Message me.
Mucho Bueno, Senora!
(Just a little Spanish lingo there to show I bear no animosity towards the few conservatives left in Espana. We can forget about Messyco.)
Sent
I guess wonder why they never excommunicate these black souls.
LLS
I believe all, or most, of the Ivy League colleges, especially those in the northeast, began as conservative Christian colleges. If they were to stand by their Christian heritage, they, too, would have an issue with Hussein. Sadly, things change.
Choosing “prestige over TRUTH” is NEVER a good choice. God will NOT be mocked.
Protestant bump for my Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ. Proud to stand with you in defense of life.
We need all the help we can get!
And FYI, the best homeliest in my parish and one of the best I have ever heard in my 60 years is a Protestant Minister who converted to Catholicism and became a Priest.
May God bless your efforts and hear all our prayers. I applaud the principled people who are making a principled stand for a core belief of the Catholic Church.
“I’m trying to remember if Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity brought this up on their FNC shows?”
I don’t “think” so but I could be wrong,
so don’t hold me to that because I don’t watch every one of their shows and hardly ever listen to them on the radio.
Well, that’s above my pay grade. LOL
So, I don't have an answer for you.
But you do know that there is such a thing as “self-excommunication” in the Catholic Church and those who consistently disobey the 10 Commandments and continue to receive Holy Communion and other sacraments in the state of Mortal Sin have pretty much sealed their fate unless they make a good Confession before they die.
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