Seven More U.S. Bishops Make 24 Against Notre Dame Scandal

LifeSiteNews ^ | 4/7/09 | Kathleen Gilbert

[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

[Straight Vermonter]

Hope you are home schooling, if you have kids.

Catholic schools.

[Repeat Offender]

I nominate Planned Parenthood U for the new name

[ardara]

Wonderful letter. God Bless!

[Albion Wilde]

Thank you, rwa265.

[AFreeBird]

The first Amendment guarantee's the RIGHT of freedom to practice the religion of your choice.

If former Indianapolis Colts coach, Tony Dungy, can be "dis-invited" to be a member of ZerØ's faith based community outreach organization because of his Religion, and opposition to gay marriage among others (one would assume abortion), then the UofND can "dis-invite" Ø bama to speak at their university because of their religion.

If ND is, and considers itself to be, THE premiere American Catholic University, then the Vatican had better get involved. Fr. Jenkins needs to be reassigned to some far away place. And if the Congregation of the Holy Cross, ND's sponsors, doesn't put its foot down, then they too need to be censured.

The Church had better make a stand, because there's a reverse Crusades working against it.

[wagglebee]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

[Mrs. Don-o]

• This post: we're now up to 24 bishops saying Obama is morally unfit to receive honors from Notre Dame. Woo hoo! Tell it like it is, Bish!
  
• Also this, proving we're having an effect on the Trustees (but I warn you, this is a highly emetic post), and
  
• Check out my letter at #39: make writing to your own Bishop a Holy Week Activity. Non-Catholics: you too! Believe me, the good one's will care --- they'll care a lot. Clickable map of U.S. Catholic Dioceses by State.

  ---

  YES, WE CAN STOP OBAMA atNOTRE DAME Ping List

  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).

  ***** Unless told otherwise, I will cheerfully keep you on my list.

  If you want me to delete your name, I will just as cheerfully remove you if you will send me a "Private Message".

  I'm asking for "Private Message" for deletions only, to ensure that I see your request.

  We have the momentum. Let's push on and win this one.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

bump

[SumProVita]

Absolutely good! Keep praying for the holiness of both priests and bishops! ;-)

[HiTech RedNeck]

Is there a particular bishop in whose geographical area Notre Dame is sited?

[HiTech RedNeck]

And what’s the next level to push to. Archbishop?

[Lorica]

Some of the self-appointed devout here on FR frown on questioning in the least, the approach on the Church heirarchy.

I've yet to see a Catholic here post in support of Mahoney, let alone a member of the vaguely sinister-sounding "self-appointed devout".

Should we be as worried about them as we were about the "vast right wing conspiracy" people?

[xzins]

They should focus on the objections to the honorary degree. It’s understandable to invite a sitting president for a backslapping event. That comes under the heading of “listening to our leaders and hoping perhaps to influence them.”

The honorary degree, however, says “We really like what this guy stands for.”

That is hugely objectionable, and I can’t imagine any Roman Catholic leader in good standing wanting to suggest that Obama’s policies on life are worthy of reward.

[bgill]

Here’s the addresses.

http://www.usccb.org/dioceses.shtml

[ZULU]

This is good news. FOX news had some brain-dead ex-minister on TV this morning who really didn’t get it on this subject.

[bgill]

Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago and the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has urged Catholics "to call, to e-mail, to write letters" about the "extreme embarrassment" ... Whatever else is clear, it's clear Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation," he was quoted as saying. One wonders if George feels the same about the majority of U.S. Catholics -- 53 percent, by one reckoning -- who voted for Obama.

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/head-of-us-catholic-bishops-ca.html

[Mrs. Don-o]

The Bishop of Ft. Wayne/South Bend --- where Notre Dame is the 800 lb. gorilla --- is Bishop John D'Arcy, who has swiftly announced he will boycott the graduation in protest of the Obama invite.

He does not have the power to hire, fire, make policy, etc. at Notre Dame because it is incorporated separately under a Board of Trustees, not "owned" by th Catholic Diocese.

D'Arcy does have one more canonical option, though: he can rescind their right to call themselves a "Catholic" University.

I think the time is right. I mean, what is he waiting for? Notre Dame sponsoring "burning babies on an altar to Moloch" as an interfaith worship alternative?

If you think he should revoke ND's right to call itself "Catholic," go ahead and (politely) let him know. (Remember, D'Arcy is one of the Good Guys.)

Next push? It would be a strong move to contact the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

Cardinal Francis George
Archdiocese of Chicago
P.O. Box 1979
Chicago, IL 60690-1979
phone: 312-751- 8200
email: mfox@archchicago.org

The USCCB are the ones who made it official policy as of 2004 that NO Catholic institution is to offer a platform or honors to anyone who defies fundamental moral norms. Ask when he's going to start enforcing that, hmm?

Gonna do it? Thanks. But start with the bishop of your local (geographic) diocese. They have tons of influence on each other.

[soccermom]

My apologies if this has already been posted:

http://www.bnd.com/347/

I don’t know how to post graphics.

[Never on my watch]

“...that most of the Bishops are too cowardly or are just on the other side on pro-life issues.”

The list of signatories is fine, but I am more interested in the list of those who refuse to sign.

I want them to publicly state their reason for not signing. It is an atrocity, but some Bishops ARE on the wrong side of the abortion issue, at the very least by their inaction (and some by their actions).

The “Pay, Pray, and Obey” Bishops and Priests are more business managers than pastors.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Actually, my strong impression is that the more "devout" Catholic FReepers are, the more they want to grab their local heirarch firmly by the frilly lace collar and ask him, "Why the flamin' fidelium aren't you acting like a Catholic?"