Posted on 05/13/2009 1:04:51 PM PDT by wagglebee
SOUTH BEND, Indiana, May 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The president of the University of Notre Dame, Fr. John Jenkins, has issued a letter to graduates addressing the controversy that has exploded over the school's invitation to President Obama to deliver this year's commencement address and receive an honorary degree. In the letter Jenkins expresses his admiration for President Obama and his record.
"There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama," wrote Fr. Jenkins. "He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame."
(To see full text of Fr. Jenkins' letter: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051305.html)
The University has been the center of a firestorm of controversy, drawing criticism from 74 U.S. bishops and 360,000 petitioning Catholics, ever since it was announced that Obama would appear on campus for graduation on May 17.
Instead of attending the official commencement ceremonies, pro-life graduating seniors protesting the invitation will attend a meditation led by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life in the university's Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes. A rally on Notre Dame's South Quad, organized by ND Response and featuring several speakers, is expected to draw thousands of peaceful pro-life protesters.
"The decision to invite President Obama to Notre Dame to receive an honorary degree and deliver the Commencement address has triggered debate," wrote Fr. Jenkins in the letter to graduates dated May 11. Jenkins noted that the debate has grown "heated," even among some "who agree completely on Church teaching regarding the sanctity of human life, who agree completely that we should work for change - and differ only on how we should work for change."
Saying that both he and the University are "unequivocally committed to the sanctity of human life," Jenkins said he was "saddened" that those protesting the invitation "have suggested that our invitation to President Obama indicates ambiguity in our position on matters of Catholic teaching."
"Notre Dame has a long custom of conferring honorary degrees on the President of the United States. It has never been a political statement or an endorsement of policy," he said. "As St. Peter wrote (I Pt. 2:17), we should honor the leader who upholds the secular order."
Jenkins said that the Catholic university's "special obligation not just to honor the leader, but to engage the culture" has "never been easy or without controversy."
"The President's visit to Notre Dame can help lead to broader engagement on issues of importance to the country and of deep significance to Catholics," said the university president.
Jenkins concluded highlighted as especially admirable Obama's "views and policies on immigration, expanding health care, alleviating poverty, and building peace through diplomacy have a deep residence with Catholic social teaching." He added that, "As the first African-American holder of this office, he has accelerated our country's progress in overcoming the painful legacy of slavery and segregation."
"He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame."
In the letter Fr. Jenkins does not criticize Obama for the extreme pro-abortion record that has led U.S. pro-life advocates to label him the "most pro-abortion" president in U.S. history.
Last month, Fr. Jenkins told the audience of a town hall meeting that Notre Dame is "tremendously proud" to honor Obama.
Concerning the unprecedented backlash the decision drew, Jenkins said, "I think it's unfortunate that the great event of President Obama coming to this campus has been a little clouded by that controversy."
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
There is no charity in forced taxation. You give to Caesar what you owe Caesar, but that does not absolve your own obligation of tithing.
By the way, the Obamas have not been charitable with their own money. So what REALLY are his views on health care for those who cannot afford it and on providing aid and assistance to those in poverty?
It’s all about the “peace and justice” dude.
Freegards
IOW - "Santa Claus Socialism"
Fr. Jenkins, this type of clueless ignorance is why the Catholic Church in the US is suffering.
Well he got a million dollars for a hospital that paid his wife a million dollars to do nothing. Then he got people’s Divorce Records unsealed.
Fr Jenkins, dude, you can stop the charade now. You won’t be getting a raise. 30 pieces of silver is all you will get. Live with it and get moving.
Eh, he's also the first Indonesia-American holder of this office, he was school abroad and is an outsider and skeptic of the American Dream. His is not the heritage of ancestors who were slaves. He lived outside of the US while there was still segregation and claims to have been only 8 years old when his pal Bill Ayers was criminally active (a lie, the Weather Underground didn't get really active until the 1970s, they formed in the final months of 1969).
10/24/09 Fr. Jenkins
Blacks make up about 12% of the population, but they account for over 35% of abortions. Abortion is the deadliest form of racism in American history and has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 20 MILLION Blacks in the last 36 years.
Ca-ca!
What is it? (leaving infanticide aside)
Is it bowing to foreign kings who would rather see women burn to death than escape a burning building without their burkhas on?
Is it firing the head of General Motors?
Is it the nomination of assorted tax cheats to high government positions?
Is it screwing the secured bondholders of Chrysler?
It it the special attention to the gift for Gordon Brown?
The tripling of the deficit? What? What?
ML/NJ
“Fr. Jenkins is right!”
Tori Amos,
Rosie O’Donnell,
Cybil Shepherd, &
Lesbians for Choice
Because he’s darker than a paper bag,
his presidency is remarkable and admirable.
simply disgusting.
Neutered Lame and NBC football coverage. They deserve each other.
Keep digging that hole to hell, “Fr.” Jenkins.
Let’s make it every team that plays Notre Dame — root for their opponent.
i wish all the gay priests would just leave the church and start up their own thing.
Other than that little dustup in the late 30's and 40's, the Nazi Party should be congratulated for getting Germany out of an economic crisis and making the trains run on time. Who are we to make a big deal about that controversy?
And this time this comparison is not lightly taken -- millions of babies have been killed by the TOTUS-reading fuhrer and his ilk.
A sad, sad day for Catholics around the world when this message was issued.
Makes me wonder if this guy is the model for the famous question "if the priest be false".
Father Jenkins is a disgrace, plain and simple. No child of mine will EVER consider Notre Dame as long as he has any role in leading it.
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