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.
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:
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]