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

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you, dangus. Your remarks are always well worth thinking about. These are complicated subjects, and ones we care hotly about, so we get --- well, I get tipped over too far sometimes. So thanks for the handshake, and when needed, thanks for the elbow.

:o)

BTW, I don't think our disagreements amount to a hill of beans.

[devolve]

.

bump

[potlatch]

Thanks, you brought me more up to date on this as I have to admit not keeping up on it closely.

[Bishop D’Arcy threatened to pull Notre Dame’s permission to be considered a “Catholic University]

I did not know that!
I did sign the petition, amazing the number of people who have.

[RJL]

I am not a Catholic

I am not Catholic as well, but we may both be more Catholic than Fr. Jenkins.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I don't want to overstate this, since what the Bishop released was just "excerpts" of his letter to Jenkins and written in bishopese.

But consider this:

• the only thing the Bishop CAN do is pull permission to be called "Catholic": all the players know this.
• He said there was a "terrible breach" between ND and the Church.
• He ended it up by saying, essentially, You make your move, and then I'll make mine.

In the diplomatic, your-dear-brother-in-Christ language, that yields the reasonable inference that the ball is now in Jenkins' court. What he does next will determine what D'Arcy does.

Other than suspend Fr. Jenkin's permission to say Mass publically, which is not to the point; or tell the whole CSC order to get out of the Diocese, which he wouldn't do in a million years; there's only one thing, canonically, that D'Arcy can do. And that is to revoke ND's right to call itself "a Catholic university".

[Happy Rain]

Most all of the so-called “conservative” pundits and pols are trying to sell the same old,”lets be reasonable” spin on what,in fact,is classic anti-Christian hate incarnate to be celebrated at the most respected institution of Catholic higher learning.It is not a fear of an unrighteous Leftist backlash that motivates their hypocrisy but their own lack of conviction and a deep rooted cowardice when cultural combat against the forces of socialist evil attempts to conscript them.

Just because the Supreme Court is required to seriously consider past Court rulings no matter how unconstitutional and ill reasoned,there is no such restraint demanded of unrobbed men of true principle with true understanding of not only the Bill of Rights but of the men who grabbed these ten commandments of God's will and put them to paper for we,their posterity.

Some could argue any evil holds precedent,and many do,then rationalize their continuance—establishing a self-destructive tradition.

But I would not expect the devout of the RCC to swallow this unholy water Kool-Aid. Verily,the granting of an "honorary degree" to such a hate-filled anti-Christian bigot like Obama on the grounds of a once exceptional institution carrying the name of the blessed virgin goes far beyond WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) and into the spiritually outraged realm of the singularly righteous umbrage of WWJDIHMIP (What Would Jesus Do If His Mother Is Profaned?) Such holy justice would fry the eyes of any man who witnessed it.

[devolve]

.

Yup

Moral relativism and public relations

Shabby ethics at Georgetown and Notre Dame

It’s not just the abortion agendas of Obama - It is also his homosexual agenda - now spotlighted by his new “hate crime law” to give special rights to only certain groups

“Equal rights under the law” no longer applies to Christians and hetrosexuals

Debbie Waterboard-Schmuck of Florida insists that homosexuals and Jews deserve to have “special” rights “because” we have “lots of them in Florida”

That should increase tourism!

[m4629]

I do realize what you are saying is correct.

However, there are certain kind of things the diocesan bishop could do to pressure the university. For instance, the bishop could forbid mass being said in the chapel, or anywhere on campus even at major ceremonies. That would raise suspicion that the university is not quite catholic.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"Fry the eyes" indeed. Holy Mother of God!

I'm writing a letter to Bp D'Arcy begging him not to back down. It's hard. The University of Notre Dame is the 800-lb gorilla in his diocese, and who wants to be in the position of being "the bishop who drove Notre Dame out of the Church"?

Except the fact is that Notre Dame is driving ITSELF out of the Church, and trying to take the Church with it, i.e. turning the Church inside out, a heap of bloody rubble under a nice starched bit of brocade.

If D'Arcy clearly realizes that, he'll man up. He won't let it happen.

[potlatch]

[Shabby ethics at Georgetown and Notre Dame]

They've both been infiltrated by liberals and worse. I read a lot about Georgetown long ago and saw what was happening. This was during the abuse of children by Priests.

Both AFreeBird and Mrs. Don-O have written me a lot of good information.

Lol, I'm not ‘up to par’ today so am taking a short cut here.

[devolve]

.

You know more about than I do -

I have nothing to do with religious wobblies or moral relativists

Pelosi, Kerry, Clinton, Reid, Kennedy, Feinstein, Obama, Biden - more - they all just use religion as a resume and campaign enhancer and rather cheaply bought camouflage

[mimaw]

I guess Fr. Jenkins condones baby killing as long as it’s done by a non Catholic. The sanctity of life only applies to Catholics. What a horse’s behind.

[mimaw]

I think most Jesuits put liberation theology as their #1 objective. Drive these commies out of the Church.

[Happy Rain]

Then Notre Dame should be renamed the “Nefarious Demagogue University,” in honor of Obama and thus spare The Holy Mother the desecration when the thing arrives for his “honors.”

[dools007]

I completly agree with what you’re doing. Have no idea why a Catholic university would want someone who views Christianity as the enemy to speak at the institution. It reminds of the moth flying around the light bulb. The little feller will get burnt eventually if not sooner.

However, I’m not a Notre Dame Alum. Why would the University be swayed by my input?

Heck, I can’t get any traction at my own Alma Mater, Penn State.

[Happy Rain]

Heck,Paterno at Penn puts you a lot closer to Heaven than ND alum with Obama.

Think on the bright side.

[Cacique]

ping

[Mrs. Don-o]

I'm sure you realize that normally when you write, it's communication, but when you write (or phone or send an email) along with a hundred thousand others as part of an campaign, it's pressure, plain and simple.

It's the mere hassle of the secretary's desk being continually avalanched with thousand of letters that have to be opened.

It's the mere hassle of the targeted person not being able to use his e-mail because the inbox is stuffed with messages from people who oppose his policies.

The whole point is to force this guy into the dismaying realization that he will be tormented continually, things will never go back to normal, his day to day life will be a pain in the butt, until he does the right thing.

So go on ahead and join the 334,322 other people and sign the Disinvite Obama petition. Then when we win (in time or in eternity) you can say, "Heh. I was a part of that."

[Mrs. Don-o]

My letter to D'Arcy.

---

April 24, 2009

Bishop John D’Arcy
Diocese of Ft. Wayne – South Bend
1103 S. Calhoun St.
Ft. Wayne, IN 46801

Dear Bishop D’Arcy,

You have been put in a terribly difficult position by Notre Dame’s willful and defiant decision to heap honors upon a powerful and dangerous enemy of the Church, an enemy of the Gospel of Life.

Don’t back down. I beg you, stand firm and don’t back down.

The truth is, no Catholic institution may give its highest laurels to a man who to an unprecedented degree promotes the shedding of innocent blood. In the words of the Catechism, "Abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes."

If Notre Dame awards these honors, they have made their decision:

• a decision not to “think with the Church,”
• a decision not to be bound by our common Catholic conscience,
• a decision not to be Catholic.

Then you must tell the plain truth: since they have decided not to act as a Catholic institution, even after being admonished, they cannot at the same time claim to be Catholic.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. This is a good place. I tell you, hundreds of thousands of Catholics, and dozens of brother bishops, are praying for you to stand firm and don’t back down.

You must encourage the lambs, and dismay the wolves--- and not the other way around.

Please forgive me, a person of no position, for seeming to advise you, a successor to the Apostles.

But all I am begging is that you act with the authority Christ Our Lord has given you. Require Notre Dame to choose, now, to be Catholic or not.

And then make plain and public the outcome of that choice.

Begging Christ’s blessings upon you, and asking for your blessing,

I am your servant,

[signed]

[Mrs. Don-o]

Augustine refuting a heretic