Notre Dame Trades a Platform for Principle

Christian Post ^ | 5/15/09 | Dr. Tony Beam

[wagglebee]

I am beginning to wonder if principles still have a place in a post-modern world. I am also starting to feel somewhat like a dinosaur for believing that principles should always take precedent over the prestige of a national platform. That should be especially true if the platform is attached to the largest and most revered Catholic University in America.

But on May 17th, Notre Dame will join the ranks of those with stars in their eyes and a lack of starch in their resolve. They will allow President Barack Obama, the most pro-abortion rights President in our nation’s history, to address their graduating class. His place of honor will be a moment of dishonor for devout Catholics around the world who believe that life begins at conception and should therefore be proclaimed by the Church and protected by law.

Opinions on Obama’s visit are split between those who believe he deserves to speak because he holds the office of president and those who believe he should be disqualified because he holds no respect for the sanctity of life. So far, at least 60 Catholic bishops have publicly denounced the visit and at least 354,000 people have signed various petitions expressing their outrage. Bishop John D’Arcy, the Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, issued a statement describing his thoughts about Obama’s role in the sanctity of life debate. “While claiming to separate politics from science, he has in fact separated science from ethics and has brought the American government, for the first time in history, into supporting direct destruction of innocent human life.”

But not everyone agrees that President Obama should not be allowed to speak. In fact, the consensus on campus seems to be that any president should be welcomed at Notre Dame. The Observer, the Notre Dame campus newspaper reported receiving 313 letters from alumni and 299 letters from students. Seventy percent of the alumni letters strongly disagreed with Obama’s visit while Seventy-three percent of students supported the scheduled appearance. Thomas Heitker, freshman biology major, expressed the personal conflict between principles and prestige saying, “We can’t just forgive his viewpoints, we can’t just let it go without expressing out thoughts on it. But he’s only speaking at three universities this year and to be one of out so many is something we should be proud of.” Clearly for Heitker, the prestige that comes with a presidential visit trumps the viewpoints that defy forgiveness.

Of course, it should be noted that President Obama has not asked for forgiveness over his views on abortion. After declaring during the Saddleback debate that the ultimate question of when life beings was “above his pay grade,” President Obama must have received a substantial pay raise shortly after his inauguration. He moved swiftly and confidently to send American tax dollars around the world to pay for abortions and he seemed to be very sure that life is expendable when he sentenced countless human embryos to be sacrificed on the alter of questionable science.

Perhaps the most bizarre twist to this already twisted tail comes with the realization that Notre Dame, in inviting President Obama to speak and award him an honorary degree, is violating a 2004 directive issued by the U.S. Conference of Bishops. The directive reads: “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.” Notre Dame’s action of ignoring the Bishops directive sets up a collision of ideology and theology between Catholic religious leaders and the educators who are supposed to support and teach Catholic doctrine. Trading the defense of Catholic Church teaching for a personal audience with the most powerful political leader in the world will leave the Catholic Church with little or no moral authority.

In Haggai’s day, God condemned the children of Israel for “living in paneled houses while the house of God remains a ruin.” How much more will God condemn those who live in the false security that comes with the prestige of this world while the truth of His Word is set aside? Perhaps those who believe Notre Dame should turn a blind eye to President Obama’s views on abortion should consider the question of Amos who asked, “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Or maybe they would be swayed by the words of Paul who said, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” Surely they would resonate with the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

First, Georgetown University agrees to cover the symbol of Jesus at the request of the Obama Administration and now Notre Dame agrees to honor Obama by giving him a platform of plausibility in the eyes of the world. It appears that at least among Catholic educators, the precepts and principles of God’s Word are taking a back seat to the prestige of the office of President of the United States.

___________________________________________________________________

Dr. Tony Beam is Vice-President for Student Services and Director of the Christian Worldview Center at North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina.

[Ransomed]

Many liberal Catholics agree with you.

Freegards

[Mrs. Don-o]

Amen. The only good news here, though, is the NEW news: the fact that we're finally getting to our feet and fighting back.

[wagglebee]

I agree.

[GoLightly]

Don't you see that ignoring it was the much better option?

NO! Ignoring evil is not an option. One must speak out against it. Your position is akin to saying that Dr. Martin Luther King should have kept silent, because making noise about basic civil rights was a divisive & unpopular subject. Life is the very first basic civil right!!

You're giving the media something to talk about with which they do not agree.

There's a reason the a lot of "big" media is losing their credibility. Let them talk & let them twist the truth as they've always done. Put their bias up to the bright light of day.

Your condemnation is harming only you.

I think that is the same argument given to many of history's life changers. Let us all remain silent servants of the King, as a lot of the rhetoric that's getting spread around is making things more difficult on the politicians in Britain speaking on our behalf.

[john mirse]

Obama spoke at Notre Dame University this May 17, 2009.

Just wondering:

Notre Dame University application form: Does an applicant have to provide a birth certificate?

Can an applicant provide a so-called short form birth certificate, or must the applicant provide a long form birth certificate, one that has the names of the birth doctor and birth hospital on it?

Specifically, when a person born in Hawaii applies to Notre Dame, can the person merely supply a short form birth certificate like the type that Obama people have shown us on the internet constraining Obama?

Or, must the applicant born in Hawaii provide a long form birth certificate?

High School Studded Obama: Let's imagine that Obama is in his junior or senior year in high school back in Hawaii and he applies to Notre Dame.

Does he have to provide a birth certificate?

If he must provide a birth certificate, must he provide a long form certificate, the one with names of his birth doctor and his birth hospital on it?

Or, will Notre Dame accept the short form Obama birth certificate that we see on the Internet?

[john mirse]

Correction: I meant to write “Student” Obama. Sorry.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"It appears that at least among Catholic educators, the precepts and principles of God’s Word are taking a back seat to the prestige of the office of President of the United States."

One problem: those educators are not Catholics. The people running Notre Dame and Georgetown are not Catholics, whatever else they might be. It was a disgrace. A disgraceful and shameful moment, enabling Obama. As a Catholic, I was deeply embarrassed and ashamed by what I saw and heard. The president of Notre Dame, allegedly a Catholic priest, praising Obama to the point of hysteria in an Obamamaniac spaz attack. Students cheering Obama when he tried to rationalize embryonic stem cell research. It was absurd.

Notre Dame's Kabuki Dance with Obama and the Culture of Death.

[Salvation]

Notre Dame disobeys the Pope and the Bishops of the United States — there fixed the title!

[Salvation]

These bishops stood by their principles!

The bishops who have so far expressed disapproval of Notre Dame's invitation to Obama (in alphabetical order) are:

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, May 6, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Following is an alphabetical list of bishops who have so far expressed disapproval of the University of Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama to give the commencement speech and receive an honorary law degree May 17.  Included are links to the original source as well as LifeSiteNews.com coverage. 

Current count: 77 bishops

Bishop Joseph V. Adamec - Altoona-Johnstown, PA
Statement: http://www.ajdiocese.org/documents//April_8__2009_-_Notre_Dame_University.pdf
LSN http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050718.html

Bishop John D'Arcy - Fort Wayne-South Bend, IN
Statement: http://www.diocesefwsb.org/COMMUNICATIONS/obama.htm
LSN Report: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032408.html

Bishop Samuel Aquila - Fargo, ND
Statement: http://www.fargodiocese.org/Bishop/Homilies/StatementNotreDameLtr4-5-09.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040906.html

Bishop Gregory Aymond - Austin, TX
Statement: http://www.austindiocese.org/newsletter_issue_view.php?id=211
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032707.html

Bishop Robert Baker - Birmingham, AL
Statement: http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/bpbakernd.HTM
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040807.html

Bishop Gerald Barbarito - Palm Beach, FL
Statement: http://www.diocesepb.org/bishop/Acrobat_files/Bishop
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041406.html

Bishop Leonard Blair - Toledo, OH
Statement: http://proecclesia.blogspot.com/2009/04/bishop-blair-responds-to-notre-dame.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua (Archbishop Emeritus) - Philadelphia, PA
Statement: http://patricknovecosky.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/cardinal-bevilacqua-addresses-notre-dame-controversy/
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050509.html

Bishop Lawrence Brandt - Greensburg, PA
Statement: http://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/DH/Pages/NotreDamestatement.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050509.html

Archbishop Daniel Buechlein - Indianapolis, IN
Statement: http://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2009/04-10/notredame.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040807.html

Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz - Lincoln, NE
Statement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/News/tabid/54/ctl/Details/mid/452/ItemID/495/Default.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040906.html

Archbishop Eusebius Beltran - Oklahoma City, OK
Statement: http://newsok.com/speech-by-obama-faces-catholic-foes/article/3357948
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040204.html

Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú - San Antonio, TX
Statement: http://www.archdiosa.org/txtfiles/attachment_153.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Archbishop Charles Chaput - Denver, CO
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042905.html

Bishop Paul Coakley - Salina, KS
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop James Conley - Denver
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050815.html 

Bishop Edward Cullen - Allentown, PA
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050403.html

Bishop Nicholas Di Marzio - Brooklyn, NY
Statement: http://thetablet.org/05092009/columns_bishop.html )
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050718.html

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo - Houston, TX
Statement: http://www.texascatholicherald.org/columnists.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032717.html

Archbishop Timothy Dolan - New York, NY
Statement: http://www.620wtmj.com/podcasts/charliesykes/sundayinsight/42081097.html?video=pop&t=a

Bishop Thomas Doran - Rockford, IL
Statement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/470/Default.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040204.html

Auxiliary Bishop John Dougherty - Scranton, PA
Statement: http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/News/ScrantonBishopsProtestNotreDameDecisionApril2,2009.asp
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040302.html

Bishop Robert Finn - Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO
Statement: http://catholickey.blogspot.com/2009/04/we-are-at-war-bishop-finns-gospel-of.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop Joseph Galante - Camden, NJ
Statement: http://www.camdendiocese.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1282:catholic-a-mere-label&catid=33:press-releases-a-latest-news
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042807.html

Bishop Victor Galeone - St. Augustine, FL
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042211.html

Bishop John Gaydos - Jefferson City
Statement: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050814.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050815.html

Cardinal Francis George - Chicago, IL; President, USCCB
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09033106.html

Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger - Evansville, IN
Statement: http://www.themessageonline.org/local/2009/04-17/bishop.html
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Archbishop José Gomez - San Antonio, TX
Statement: http://www.archdiosa.org/txtfiles/attachment_153.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries - Cleveland, Ohio
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051101.html

Bishop Bernard Harrington - Winona, MN
Statement: http://www.dow.org/documents/09mayweb.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09043004.html

Bishop Robert Hermann - St. Louis, MO
Statement: http://stlouisreview.com/article/2009-04-30/i-thought-you-should-know
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050403.html

Bishop William Higi - Lafayette, IN
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Archbishop Alfred Hughes - New Orleans, LA
Statement: http://blog.nola.com/elections_impact/2009/04/Hughes%20letter.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Bishop Michael O. Jackels - Wichita, KS
Statement: http://cdowk.org/advanceonline/2009/04/09/bishop-jackels-letter-to-notre-dame/  
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050105.html

Bishop Sam Jacobs - Houma-Thibodaux, LA 
Statement: http://www.htdiocese.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=hUtmQlVJbos%3d&tabid=565 
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050815.html 

Bishop James V. Johnston - Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO
http://home.catholicweb.com/diocspfdcape/index.cfm/NewsItem?id=263157
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09043004.html

Bishop Peter Jugis - Charlotte, NC
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042807.html

Bishop Joseph Latino - Jackson, MS
Statement: http://nems360.com/pages/full_story?page_label=news&id=2300764-Mississippi+bishop+opposes+Obama+commencement+speech&widget=push&article-Mississippi%20bishop%20opposes%20Obama%20commencement%20speech
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop John LeVoir - New Ulm, MN
Statement: http://www.dnu.org/bishop/041309statement.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042302.html

Bishop Jerome Listecki - La Crosse, WI
Statement: http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/ministry_resources/ministries/resources/Notre%20Dame%20Invitation.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040711.html

Bishop William E. Lori - Bridgeport, CT
Statement: http://www.bridgeportdiocese.com/folder_bridgedocs/FCC%204-4-09.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Bishop Paul Loverde - Arlington, VA
Statement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/522/Default.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042302.html

Bishop George Lucas - Springfield, IL
Statement:http://www.dio.org/bishop-lucas-weekly-column/from-east-to-west-we-must-witness-to-the-truth.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop Robert Lynch - St. Petersburg, FL
Statement: http://bishopsblog.dosp.org/2009/03/27/week-end-update/
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09033103.html

Bishop Joseph Martino - Scranton, PA
http://www.dioceseofscranton.org/News/ScrantonBishopsProtestNotreDameDecisionApril2,2009.asp
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040302.html

Bishop John McCormack - Manchester, NH
Statement: http://www.catholicnh.org/public-issues/fcn-archive/und/
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09043004.html

Bishop Robert Morlino - Madison, WI
Statement: http://www.catholiccitizens.org/views/contentview.asp?c=49889
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09033103.html

Bishop William Murphy - Rockville Centre, NY
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050105.html

Bishop George Murry - Youngstown, OH
Statement: http://cathexpo.org/articledetails.aspx?articleid=240
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Archbishop John J. Myers - Newark, NJ
Statement: http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_ID=1299
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040106.html

Archbishop Joseph Naumann - Kansas City, KS
http://www.theleaven.com/columnist/archbishop_column.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042709.html

Bishop R. Walker Nickless - Sioux City, IA
Statement: http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=32936
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040106.html

Archbishop John C. Nienstedt - St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN
Statement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/460/Default.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09033103.html

Archbishop Edwin O'Brien - Baltimore, MD
Statement: http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyarchnew.aspx?action=5978
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040807.html

Bishop Thomas Olmsted - Phoenix, AZ
Statement: http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/03/exclusive-bp-olmsted-tells-nd.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09032605.html

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk - Cincinnati, OH
Statement: http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/CardinalNewmanSociety/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/435/ItemID/514/Default.aspx
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop Reymundo Pena - Brownsville, TX
http://www.cdob.org/bishop/column/2009/4-24-09.htm
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050403.html

Bishop Glen Provost - Lake Charles, LA
Statement: http://live.lcdiocese.org/bishop-provost/writings/285-bishop-provost-comments-on-notre-dame-university-decision.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042807.html

Bishop David Ricken - Green Bay, WI
Statement: http://www.thecompassnews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=345:notre-dames-quandary
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050509.html

Cardinal Justin Rigali - Philadelphia, PA; Chairman, USCCB Pro-Life Committee
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042803.html

Bishop Kevin Rhoades - Harrisburg, PA
Statement:http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=33146
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040106.html

Bishop Alexander Sample - Marquette, MI
Statement: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15630
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040807.html

Bishop Edward J. Slattery - Tulsa, OK
Statement: http://www.dioceseoftulsa.org/article.asp?nID=907
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040106.html

Bishop John Smith - Trenton, NJ
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051101.html

Bishop Richard Stika - Knoxville, TN
Statement:http://www.dioceseofknoxville.org/?news=3585&menu=1462&level=1
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09041406.html

Bishop Anthony Taylor - Little Rock, AR
Statement: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/note.php?note_id=66338251686
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040704.html

Bishop George Thomas - Helena, MT
Statement: http://www.diocesehelena.org/thomas/050109%20letter.pdf
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050509.html

Bishop Robert Vasa - Baker, OR
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Bishop Michael Warfel - Great Falls-Billings, MT
Statement: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200905011500/NEWS01/90501007
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09043009.html

Bishop Thomas Wenski - Orlando, FL
Statement: http://www.orlandodiocese.org/who_we_are/bishop_wenski/columns/200904_und.php
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042003.html

Archbishop Donald Wuerl - Washington, D.C.
Statement: http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/godingovernment/2009/04/dc_archbishop_nips_georgetown_for_biden_event.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042709.html

Bishop Emeritus John Yanta - Amarillo, TX
Statement: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051407.html
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09051408.html

Bishop David Zubick - Pittsburgh, PA
Statement: http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.phtml?id=2466
LSN: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09042302.html%20

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050607.html

 

Bishop Donald Trautman - Erie, PA

Bishop's Trautman's statement

 

[doug from upland]

HERE, NOTRE DAME --- shove this!

HERE'S THE GLORIOUS VIDEO

Nov. 30, 1974
No. 6 USC 55, No. 5 Notre Dame 24
The Coliseum
"The Comeback."

USC trailed 24-0 late in the first half against the nation's top-ranked defense. But with 10 seconds remaining before halftime, Anthony Davis scored on a 7-yard pass from Pat Haden. The two-point conversion failed, and the Trojans trailed 24-6 at the half. Davis took the opening kick of the second half 102 yards to open the floodgates for USC, which scored 35 points in the third quarter. Davis scored twice on short runs and Haden threw TD passes of 18 and 45 yards to Johnny McKay. Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Trojans scored twice more on a 16-yard pass from Haden to Shelton Diggs and a Charles Phillips' 58-yard interception return for a touchdown.

71 posted on 05/17/2009 7:45:43 PM PDT by doug from upland (10 million views of .HILLARY! UNCENSORED - put some ice on it, witch)