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
....but he’s “black”!
“There is Much to Admire and Celebrate in the Work of Obama”
Obama only works on his pecs and abs...and he doesn’t even do that well...
This guy is a buffoon.
(paraphrased) `If a fan has no strong feelings when Notre Dame plays Southern Methodist in football, it’s not that he’s no football fan—he’s no American.”
Dwight Eisenhower
If last year is any indication, you won't need to root too hard for the opponents. :)
I'll be at one of those games - my son just finished his third year at Notre Dame, and is a member of the Band of the Fighting Irish.
We still love the place, as do the thousands of alumni who are disgusted at the current administration of the University. It's very much like the situation we face as a nation - ours is a country full of blessings, rich in tradition, being led by a man and his handlers who are unworthy of the offices they occupy.
The solution to both is the same - change the regime.
Of note, Fr. Jenkins sister is married to Rick Steves, the leftist travel writer, who just did a series on how wonderful Iran was. Steves is a BIG TIME O supporter.
which is let anyone into this country without any regard to the health, safety, security, employment or culture of the American people
...expanding health care,
by degrading its quality and greatly increasing its cost
...alleviating poverty,
through government-enforced confiscation of the earnings of those that contribute to society
...and building peace through diplomacy
by ignoring the militant actions of North Korea, Iran and Pakistan, thus setting up major conflicts in the future where millions will die
...have a deep residence with Catholic social teaching.
Obama's extreme positions on abortion are in direct conflict with the Catholic church.
As the first African-American holder of this office, he has accelerated our countrys progress in overcoming the painful legacy of slavery and segregation.
Obama is a figurehead to those who segregate people into groups. As a person who sees people as individuals, I find Obama to be completely unqualified for the office and completely offensive to my Catholic beliefs.
Fr. Jenkins is a democrat shill and has allowed his allegiance to the democrat party to trump his faith. By ignoring Obama's extremist position on abortion, considering Fr Jenkins position at Notre Dame, he thus PROMOTES abortion by giving his tacit approval.
I’m 66 and have been a Notre Dame Fighting Irish football fan literally since I can remember. I graduated from the U. of Maryland (a military thing), but my heart has always been in South Bend. I have gone through several ND caps. Howevah (in Marisa Tomei’s voice), my newest cap may be headed for the Goodwill Booth if the graduating class of 2009 on Sunday does not come to attention and execute an “about face,” and show Obama their cap-and-gowned backs.
Wags, this must be repeated and amplified at every opportunity.
It was particularly lame for Fr. Jenkins to try to justify this via 1 Peter 2:17 --
Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
If Jenkins showed proper respect for everyone, he wouldn't disrespect, disobey and defy the policies of the US Conference of Bishops (no platforms/no honors) and the Bishop of Ft Wayne-South Bend who has to boycott the commencement in order to show his disapproval of this disgrace.
If Jenkins loved his fellow believers, he wouldn't ignore 72 bishops and hundreds of thousands of believers who are shocked and scandalized by his choice.
If Jenkins feared God, he wouldn't honor a man who promoted what the Second Vatican Council called "abominable crimes", abortion and infanticide.
If he gave the emperor the honor he was due, he would tell Obama the truth about his crimes to his face, as in "speak truth to power."
Or follow Our Lady's example and pray God to "Show strength with His arm; and scatter the proud in the imagination of their hearts; Put down the mighty from their seats, and exalt the lowly."
Um, no....
"He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame."
Why? What has he done that's outstanding?
So was John Brown and the Son of Sam.
Notre Dame, Shame on you. Shame shame shame.
I’ll never hold you in high esteem again. Neither will many many others. is it worth it?
And where the hell is the pope on this?
Dear Father Jenkins:
STFU!
Yep, “remarkable” is a neutral term. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Saddam, Pol Pot and Nero were all “remarkable” people, but I would certainly never have invited them anywhere.
Excellent post!
Steve Jobs seems to be the only one who gives totally impartial commencement speeches.
Hey, Hey Father J!
How many kids got aborted today?
Father Jenkins is more twisted and evil than Obama.
No. Much to admonish and condemn.
Sounds like a man crush from a liberal fruitcake.
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