Posted on 04/07/2009 12:43:29 PM PDT by wagglebee
NOTRE DAME, Indiana, April 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Seven more bishops have publicly spoken out against the University of Notre Dame's invitation to President Barack Obama to give the commencement address and receive an honorary law degree on May 17. In total 24 U.S. bishops have condemned the scandal (see list at bottom).
LifeSiteNews.com (LSN) today obtained Bishop William Higi's statement in Sunday's print edition of The Catholic Moment, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Lafayette, IN.
"Many people, including myself, who consider the University of Notre Dame the prestigious Catholic university in the United States, are most upset that the university has extended an invitation to President Obama to give its commencement address and receive an honorary degree," wrote Bishop Higi.
"Others have explained why so many object to this action. It need not be repeated here. In simple fact, the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who stand in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions. The sanctity of life from conception to natural death heads that list of fundamental principles."
The bishop encouraged readers to file their protest at http://www.notredamescandal.com, where a petition launched by the Cardinal Newman Society has reached over 248,000 signatures.
Writing to Notre Dame's Bishop John D'Arcy from the Texas diocese of San Antonio, Bishop José Gomez and auxiliary bishop Oscar Cantú said in a March 31 letter that they were "saddened by the circumstances that made you decide not to attend" commencement ceremonies, and expressed "total support" of the bishop's action and motives.
"President Obama has made it clear that his policies on abortion and the general protection of innocent life are in dramatic opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church," wrote the bishops. "At this critical time we cannot afford to send an ambiguous message to the leaders of our people." (To view the letter: http://www.archdiosa.org/txtfiles/attachment_153.pdf)
On April 1, Archbishop Alfred Hughes of the Archdiocese of New Orleans wrote "with a heavy heart" to University president Fr. John Jenkins, saying he could not see how the invitation was in alignment with U.S. Bishops' policy prohibiting honors for pro-abortion politicians.
While highlighting President Obama's personal charisma and talent, Hughes added: "But dignity and equality belong also to our unborn brothers and sisters. We cannot compromise our Church's clear and unflagging opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell research by providing honors and a platform for those who deny the humanity and dignity of the most frail creatures in our midst. ...
"The University of Notre Dame used to be the flagship Catholic University in the United States," lamented Hughes. "I regret that we are not experiencing that leadership and integrity." (to view Abp. Hughes' full letter, go to: http://blog.nola.com/elections_impact/2009/04/Hughes%20lette...)
In a column last Friday in the diocesan newspaper of Youngstown, Ohio, Bishop George Murry wrote: "In politics, one cannot functionally separate a politician from his polices. Mr. Obama's policies of expanding the availability of abortion at home and exporting that availability overseas have demonstrated that he does not believe that the life of the unborn is very important. As a result, I cannot but be deeply disturbed by the decision made by the president and board of Notre Dame." (To view Bishop Murry's column: http://cathexpo.org/articledetails.aspx?articleid=240)
In Saturday's edition of the Fairfield County Catholic, Bishop William Lori of Connecticut's Bridgeport Diocese said: "Notre Dame extended this invitation unilaterally, seemingly without regard for the consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is contrary to the efforts of bishops, parish priests, and laity to resist the anti-life decisions, policies, and legislation promoted by the Obama administration."
Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock, AR in a Facebook note endorsed the position of U.S. Catholic Bishops' policy against the Notre Dame invitation, and stated that he "fully support[s]" Notre Dame's Bishop D'Arcy for repudiating the move and announcing his intent to boycott the graduation ceremony.
The bishops who have spoken out against the Notre Dame Scandal thus far (with some files from Thomas Peters of the American Papist blog, http://www.americanpapist.com/blog):
1. Bishop John D'Arcy, Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN
2. Cardinal Francis George, Chicago; President, USCCB
3. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Galveston-Houston,
4. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Milwaukee
5. Archbishop John Nienstedt, St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN
6. Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Oklahoma City
7. Bishop Edward Slattery, Tulsa
8. Archbishop John Myers, Newark
9. Archbishop Alfred Hughs, New Orleans
10. Bishop Joseph Martino, Scranton
11. and Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty, Scranton
12. Bishop Thomas Doran, Rockford, IL
13. Bishop Thomas Olmsted, Phoenix
14. Bishop Gregory Aymond, Austin
15. Bishop Robert Lynch, St. Petersburg
16. Bishop R. Walker Nickless, Sioux City
17. Bishop Kevin Rhoades, Harrisburg, Pa.
18. Bishop William E. Lori, Bridgeport, CT
19. Bishop Robert Morlino, Madison WI
20. Bishop George Murry, Youngstown, OH
21. Bishop William Higi, Lafayette, IN
22. Bishop Anthony Taylor, Little Rock, AR
23. Archbishop Jose Gomez, San Antonio
24. and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantu, San Antonio
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Notre Dame's Bishop Will Not Attend Obama-Honoring Graduation, Criticizes University's Decision
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032408.html
Notre Dame Faces Groundswell of Outrage after Announcing Plan to Honor Obama
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032312.html
Notre Dame President: School "Honored" by Obama's Acceptance to Speak and Receive Honorary Degree
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032306.html
Catholic Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree on May 17, Against USCCB Policy
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032005.html
There are a lot (keep in mind there are over 75 million Catholics in the US).
Here is a list of the number of dioceses (each has a bishop or archbishop and there are also a number of retired bishops):
http://www.usccb.org/dioceses.shtml
One could put forth an argument that the local bishop is wrong; however, the support of dozens of other bishops makes that argument completely untenable.
Also, it is important to realize that, even though many bishops have not come out in opposition to Obama speaking at Notre Dame, NONE (to the best of my knowledge) have supported it.
I am surprised that Bishop Serratelli is not on this list.
There are 195 diocese in the US. So there are 195 bishops plus a number of auxilliary bishops.
I think the idea is to raise the attention level. The only leverage is for more and more alumni to become aware of the issue and pressure the university to change course.
Yes. Soto, I think, is likely to condemn it. I wonder what is he waiting for.
You know, that symbol of the golden calf is so apt -- it should be used in some way by any protesters who show up at the event (wish I lived close enough). This is truly a scandal. The honorary law degree ND gives out should align with the eternal law, since our nation has apparently abandoned its bedrock in the Constitution.
Thank you, wagglebee.
Thank you, Straight Vermonter. (PS: My condolences on Vermont's most recent travesty legislation. Hope you are home schooling, if you have kids).
Glad to help.
As Straight Vermonter noted, there are 195 dioceses in the US, so that means 195 bishops, plus some auxiliary bishops and some retire bishops. My guess is that the final number is probably somewhere around 250 to 300.
They’ve “excommunicated themselves” and face eternal judgement...
meanwhile, there is no earthly consequence that would make someone else think twice about doing something to “excommunicate themselves” too.
Their hesitance to do something concrete is endangering souls.
Perhaps ND has not changed its position on honoring Obama because we still have not heard from about 90% of the Bishops.I think we will have to conclude that most of the Bishops are too cowardly or are just on the other side on pro-life issues.
OK, so 25 bishops out of 195 is a little more than 12.5%. That’s nothing to sneeze at, in a Church organization characterized by hierarchy and obedience. Praise the Holy Spirit at work!
I am hopeful that as the date gets nearer that some of the more important cardinals and archbishops (from dioceses like New York, Washington, Boston, etc.) will make statements and Notre Dame will feel more pressure.
I think a more basic question is being missed here.
The VAST majority of the students here are completing SIXTEEN years of Catholic education, yet they still favor a murderous abortionist president addressing them as their exclamation point to this Catholic education process.
So the question is, where and why has the Church FAILED so miserably in educating these long tenured students of the Catholic education system? These graduates may be great engineers and scientists and what not, but Stewards of the Faith they most certainly are NOT!
The continued silence of US Bishops while so called Catholic elected officials thumb their noses at the basic tenets of the Faith (but still fill the collection plate) is absolutely deafening. Their tacit approval of this public disobedience to the Church can only produce the product we will see at the graduation at ND.
This list is excellent, and has links to all the diocese contact email addresses in the nation. It's an excellent resource for anyone wishing to respectfully urge greater participation by bishops nationwide. Really, this is a "stand and be counted" issue.
There's more than one side to Internet activism.
Perhaps the president of Notre Dame needs a call from Rome.
I am just finishing my own letter to my own bishop. I will include that in my ping, in case anybody needs my rather hot words to inspire them.
We ALL need to contact OUR OWN BISHOPS.
Well heck, I'm still refining it, but here's the most of it.
April 8, 2009
Bishop Richard Stika
Diocese of Knoxville
805 S Northshore Dr
Knoxville, TN 37919
Dear and Beloved Bishop Stika,
I was pleased to attend your ordination as Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville on St. Joseph’s Day. I joyfully offer you my love and loyalty as one of your spiritual daughters.
It seems rather dreadful that I should make your acquaintance, so to speak, and then immediately write you a letter of awful anxiety and concern: but I must pour out my soul: please, dear Bishop, make a quick prayer to the Holy Spirit and then read this with kindness and understanding.
Since this November, President Obama has raced ahead on many fronts simultaneously to compel financial support for abortion and other heinous practices; to crush conscience rights; and ultimately, I believe, to bring about the moral and institutional dissolution of the Catholic Church in America.
I will not complicate this letter with the huge amount of documentation I have at hand. I trust you already know this to be true.
Having followed Mr. Obama’s career, I expected this. But I have been stunned by the rapidity of his assault. I have been straining every muscle to help alert Catholics and other persons of good will to the full implications of Mr. Obama’s aggressive agenda.
What dismay, then, when I heard that the University of Notre Dame plans to confer upon Mr. Obama one of the choicest honors that a Catholic institution can to bestow: an honorary Doctorate of Law!
Holy Mother of God!
In the light of the USCCB statement that no Catholic institution is to give such honors to those who defy fundamental moral norms, I looked for the USCCB to respond immediately with firm and unequivocal condemnation, and with sanctions to make that condemnation real.
"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 - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]
But where was the response?
There are 260 active bishops in the USA. Over 90% of them have said not one word about this.
I thank God for the 24 who have. (Excerpts of their remarks are on the attached sheet.)
Who could write tranquilly about the sickening realization that most of the bishops do not apparently even take their own so-called “resolutions” seriously?
I’m welling up with tears as I write; and, my dear father in Christ, it’s not just me.
I know Catholics who are just going to church and crying about this. Sitting in a pew, or kneeling before Our Lord in their parish Adoration Chapel, and just crying.
What can we do? Good Christ, what can we do? Where are our Bishops?
What can I do but direct my grief and my need to you, my own, my newly fledged Bishop.
Four days ago, the U.S. Senate rejected Senator Coburn's proposed medical-conscience amendment to the budget bill on Thursday, April 3. By the time you receive this letter, President Obama will have rescinded the HHS regulations recognizing the conscience rights of ethical, pro-life healthcare providers, both individual and institutions.
The situation is grim.
Mr. Obama’s strategy is to exploit every fissure to bring down the whole Church. Obama's cynical use of Notre Dame is part of this strategy, and Notre Dame is not just falling, they are leaping into this.
This portends the moral and institutional destruction of the Catholic Church in America. Not all at once, and yet with a rapidity that amazes me. Not entirely by frontal assault, but by a barrage of executive, legislative and judicial challenges large and small, by stealth, and by seduction.
You were anointed to Prophet and Shepherd -- to teach, govern, and sanctify.
You were given that crozier for a reason: to protect the lambs and dismay the wolves --- and not the other way around.
Now the battle is raging at Notre Dame. Now is the time for a prophetic word---from ALL our bishops.
Please, Bishop Stika. Please --- speak out now.
In Christ our God,
[signed]
CC: Mr. Paul Simoneau
Diocesan Office of Justice and Peace
My favorite comment from a bishop...change the name..PERFECT!...
“I would ask that you rescind this unfortunate decision and so avoid dishonoring the practicing Catholics of the United States, including those of this Diocese. Failing that, please have the decency to change the name of the University to something like, ‘The Fighting Irish College’ or ‘Northwestern Indiana Humanist University.’”
Most Rev. Thomas Doran – Bishop of Rockford
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