Notre Dame's Bishop Rebukes Jenkins' Defense of Obama Honor

LifeSiteNews ^ | 4/22/09 | Kathleen Gilbert

[wagglebee]

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, April 22, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bishop John D'Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend, whose diocese includes the University of Notre Dame, has issued a letter refuting University president Fr. John Jenkins' justification of honoring Obama at this year's commencement exercises.

A letter to the school's board of trustees from Fr. Jenkins was obtained exclusively and published by LifeSiteNews.com earlier this month. In the letter the president attempted to justify the school's plan, in light of a statement from the USCCB against honoring pro-abortion politicians, to give a platform and an honorary law degree to President Obama on May 17. 

Jenkins' comment was a response to several bishops who have condemned the invitation by pointing to the 2004 USCCB document "Catholics in Political Life," which states: "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." 

The University president told trustees that he considers the invitation to honor Obama to be faithful to the "letter and the spirit" of the document, because in his opinion the document only forbids honoring pro-abortion politicians who are Catholic.  (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html) 

In a statement dated yesterday, Bishop D'Arcy wrote that he had a duty to "respond and correct" Fr. Jenkins' letter to the board since it has become public.  "I take up this responsibility with some sadness, but also with the conviction that if I did not do so, I would be remiss in my pastoral responsibility," he added.

In the published summary of his letter to Fr. Jenkins, D'Arcy criticized the president for interpreting the document without consideration for D'Arcy's authority as bishop: "When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? A fundamental, canonical and theological principal states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese." 

Bishop D'Arcy informed Fr. Jenkins, who claimed to have consulted canon lawyers on the Obama invitation: "If there was any genuine questions or doubt about the meaning of the relevant sentence in the conference's document, any competent canonist with knowledge of the tradition and love for Christ's church had the responsibility to inform Father Jenkins of the fundamental principle that the diocesan bishop alone bears the responsibility to provide an authoritative interpretation."

The bishop refuted the line held by Fr. Jenkins that the invitation to Obama does not "suggest support" for his actions because Jenkins has expressed his disagreement with Obama on life issues.

"The outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill," said Bishop D'Arcy, who noted he has already received over 3,300 messages of "shock, dismay and outrage" over the invitation.

"It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins, and indeed, the action has suggested approval to many," he said.

The bishop also commented on talking points on the controversy that were issued to the Notre Dame board of trustees. The talking points had also been obtained and published exclusively by LSN, before being picked up by the mainstream media.

Bishop D'Arcy asked Fr. Jenkins "to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points," saying they are "simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions."

"I consider it now settled - that the USCCB document, 'Catholics in Public Life,' does indeed apply in this matter," said Bishop D'Arcy, who indicated that the invitation would not have happened had he been consulted. 

"Proper consultation could have prevented an action, which has caused such painful division between Notre Dame and many bishops - and a large number of the faithful," he said.

The bishop concluded with a pledge "to work with Father Jenkins and all at Notre Dame to heal the terrible breach, which has taken place between Notre Dame and the church. It cannot be allowed to continue.

"I ask all to pray that this healing will take place in a way that is substantial and true, and not illusory. Notre Dame and Father Jenkins must do their part if this healing is to take place. I will do my part."

To see Bishop D'Arcy's full statement: http://www.diocesefwsb.org/COMMUNICATIONS/statements.htm

Fr. Jenkins recently dug in his heels on the invitation, saying Obama's presence would be a "tremendous event" for Notre Dame despite strong condemnations and calls to revoke the honor from 42 U.S. bishops and hundreds of thousands of petitioning Catholics. (petition: http://www.notredamescandal.com)

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

ND President Jenkins: "We Are Tremendously Proud" to Honor Obama at Notre Dame
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042104.html

Canon Lawyer: Notre Dame Prez Reasoning "Too Bizarre for Words"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041403.html

Leaked: ND Prez Comment on USCCB Document Prohibiting Honoring Pro-Abortion Politicians
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html

Revealed: Obama Commencement Talking Points for University of Notre Dame Trustees
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040710.html

Notre Dame's Bishop on Obama's Pro-Abortion Views: "No One Is Allowed to Say Who Sits at Table of Life"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040804.html

[the invisib1e hand]

Notre Dame's Bishop Rebukes Jenkins' Defense of Obama Honor

Oh, good-ee! All fixed.

[livius]

Make no mistake, we are at war with evil...

That's the truth! And it comes at us in the most unexpected places nowadays, ranging from a college commencement to a beauty pageant...

[A.A. Cunningham]

Statement to the faithful
April 21, 2009

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Recently, Father John Jenkins, CSC, in a letter of response to Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix, who had written him, critical of the decision to invite President Obama to speak and receive an honorary degree of law at Notre Dame, indicated that it was his conviction that the statement “Catholics in Political Life” (USCCB) did not apply in this matter. Father Jenkins kindly sent me a copy of his letter, and also at a later meeting, asked for a response.

In an April 15th letter to Father Jenkins, I responded to his letter.

Now the points made in his letter have been sent by Father Jenkins to the members of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees and have been publicized nationally, as well as locally in the South Bend Tribune. Since the matter is now public, it is my duty as the bishop of this diocese to respond and correct. I take up this responsibility with some sadness, but also with the conviction that if I did not do so, I would be remiss in my pastoral responsibility.

Rather than share my full letter, which I have shared with some in church leadership, I prefer to present some of the key points.

1. The meaning of the sentence in the USCCB document relative to Catholic institutions is clear. It places the responsibility on those institutions, and indeed, on the Catholic community itself.

“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,” USCCB.

2. When there is a doubt concerning the meaning of a document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where does one find the authentic interpretation? A fundamental, canonical and theological principal states that it is found in the local bishop, who is the teacher and lawgiver in his diocese. — Canon 330, 375 §§ 1 & 2; 380; 381 § 1; 391 § 1; 392, & 394 §1.

3. I informed Father Jenkins that if there was any genuine questions or doubt about the meaning of the relevant sentence in the conference’s document, any competent canonist with knowledge of the tradition and love for Christ’s church had the responsibility to inform Father Jenkins of the fundamental principle that the diocesan bishop alone bears the responsibility to provide an authoritative interpretation.

4. I reminded Father Jenkins that he indicated that he consulted presidents of other Catholic universities, and at least indirectly, consulted other bishops, since he asked those presidents to share with him those judgments of their own bishops. However, he chose not to consult his own bishop who, as I made clear, is the teacher and lawgiver in his own diocese. I reminded Father Jenkins that I was not informed of the invitation until after it was accepted by the president. I mentioned again that it is at the heart of the diocesan bishop’s pastoral responsibility to teach as revealed in sacred Scripture and the tradition. (“Lumen Gentium,” 20; and “Christus Dominus,” 2.) I reminded him that it is also central to the university’s relationship to the church. (“Ex corde ecclesiae,” 27 & 28; Gen. Norm., Art. 5, §§ 1-3.)

5. Another key point. In his letter to Bishop Olmsted and in the widespread publicity, which has taken place as the points in the letter have been made public, Father Jenkins declared the invitation to President Obama does not “suggest support” for his actions, because he has expressed and continues to express disagreement with him on issues surrounding protection of life. I wrote that the outpouring of hundreds of thousands who are shocked by the invitation clearly demonstrates, that this invitation has, in fact, scandalized many Catholics and other people of goodwill. In my office alone, there have been over 3,300 messages of shock, dismay and outrage, and they are still coming in. It seems that the action in itself speaks so loudly that people have not been able to hear the words of Father Jenkins, and indeed, the action has suggested approval to many.

In the publicity surrounding the points Father Jenkins has made, he also says he is “following the document of the bishops” by “laying a basis for engagement with the president on this issue.” I indicated that I, like many others, will await to see what the follow up is on this issue between Notre Dame and President Obama.

6. As I have said in a recent interview and which I have said to Father Jenkins, it would be one thing to bring the president here for a discussion on healthcare or immigration, and no person of goodwill could rightly oppose this. We have here, however, the granting of an honorary degree of law to someone whose activities both as president and previously, have been altogether supportive of laws against the dignity of the human person yet to be born.

In my letter, I have also asked Father Jenkins to correct, and if possible, withdraw the erroneous talking points, which appeared in the South Bend Tribune and in other media outlets across the country. The statements which Father Jenkins has made are simply wrong and give a flawed justification for his actions.

I consider it now settled — that the USCCB document, “Catholics in Public Life,” does indeed apply in this matter.

The failure to consult the local bishop who, whatever his unworthiness, is the teacher and lawgiver in the diocese, is a serious mistake. Proper consultation could have prevented an action, which has caused such painful division between Notre Dame and many bishops — and a large number of the faithful.

That division must be addressed through prayer and action, and I pledge to work with Father Jenkins and all at Notre Dame to heal the terrible breach, which has taken place between Notre Dame and the church. It cannot be allowed to continue.

I ask all to pray that this healing will take place in a way that is substantial and true, and not illusory. Notre Dame and Father Jenkins must do their part if this healing is to take place. I will do my part.

Sincerely yours in our Lord,
Most Reverend
John M. D’Arcy

[Notwithstanding]

D’Arcy’s letter does not leave room for negotiation - which is unusual (if not unheard of) for a bishop.

Am I the only one who senses the long-awaited groundswell of this “non-negotiable tone” amongst the hierarchy - such that CINO Jenkins’ Notre Shame scandal will end up as the watershed moment that is the begininng of the end for the decades-long land-o-lakes-sham scandal.

[AnAmericanMother]

Fr. Jenkins is being what Anglicans call "Jesuitical".

That is NOT a compliment.

[TASMANIANRED]

It won’t be perfect until he is removed.

[Salvation]

**Bishop John D’Arcy **

May God bless him abundantly.

[Mrs. Don-o]

OK, stalwart FReepers, here's the latest ACTION AGENDA from Stop Obama Notre Dame.

On Friday, May 1, the entire Board of Trustees and Board of Fellows for the University of Notre Dame will convene at Notre Dame for a daylong meeting. The scandal involving President Obama speaking at this year's graduation will be a central point of discussion.

Let's reach them and teach them so that they do the right thing: cancel President Obama, and replace Father Jenkins.

Notre Dame Board of Fellows.

Notre Dame Trustees.

Call them! Be polite, but be firm in your insistence that President Obama be canceled, and Father Jenkins be replaced. "Stop Obama Notre Dame" is also asking us to join them in a vigil, or a protest, or a press conference in your area on April 29 or April 30. Go to www.StopObamaNotreDame.com and see the new actions and news coverage.

("Stop Obama Notre Dame" now has 7 full time volunteers on the ground in South Bend.)

---

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 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.

[Cheetahcat]

Thank you for the effort!

[Ann Archy]

THANKS!!! WEEKEND HOMEWORK and MONDAY CALLS!!

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

If the Church can’t get rid of Jenkins they should place Notre Dame under the Interdict.

[houeto]

No idea how I got on this list but thanks for putting me on it. I am not Catholic but hope and pray that the Catholic faithful win this one BIG TIME!

Filth like zero are always telling us they have to do this or that "for the children" while the whole time these murderous liars don't give a rat's arse about children but only power and control.

[SoCalPol]

Keep up the good work.
Those attending the ND graduation and think what is the problem are in for a surprise when they see the huge
numbers including clergy who will be protesting.

[devolve]

"Fr. Jenkins recently dug in his heels on the invitation, saying Obama's presence would be a 'tremendous event' for Notre Dame despite strong condemnations....."


Selling your soul for ego and bucks!

[BARLF]

BTTT

[katiekins1]

I am so proud of all involved with this RIGTIOUS revolt. I regret (deeply) I won’t be able to attend. Always keep in your minds and hearts I am! God Less all of you!

[Faith]

I fully intend on going to Notre Dame on April 29 to protest if this farce is still going on.

I'm not Catholic either, but this is an important battleground and I believe the Lord is allowing this to grow so that more and more are drawn into the debate. God bless and protect you as you stand in defense of the unborn. Not one minute of your time will be wasted.

[Levante]

Thank you for the info!

[Dajjal]

bumpus ad summum

[wagglebee]

Thanks for all you are doing on this!