Posted on 05/19/2009 12:06:06 PM PDT by Lorianne
Organizers of a group asking alumni and donors to withhold donations to the University of Notre Dame following its controversial commencement invitation to President Barack Obama claim to have confirmed nearly $14 million in donations have been withheld by those concerned about the university’s Catholic identity.
The group, ReplaceJenkins.com, said it had received over 1,400 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations.
ReplaceJenkins.com was launched by alumni and financial supporters of the university who said they would withhold their contributions until Rev. Jenkins is replaced by someone who "is committed to the authentic identity of Notre Dame, grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church."
Group spokesman David DiFranco, a 1995 graduate of Notre Dame, said the donors were "at least loosely aware" of what he called the university’s "trend away from its Catholic identity."
"But the invitation of President Obama to speak and to receive an honorary degree, combined with the weak responses presented by Father Jenkins as a defense to those who have criticized the decision, is what drives most alumni to our site," he said.
Fr. Jenkins’ action brought national attention to a problem "decades in the making," DiFranco said.
"A shrinking percentage of Catholic faculty and the efforts of secular-minded board members has long been eroding the Catholic heritage and foundation that makes Notre Dame great. President Obama’s invitation represents the culminating scandal in this trend."
DiFranco said nearly all alumni who had contacted ReplaceJenkins.com had already decided to cease supporting the school.
"Our website merely tallies the sum of their collective decision," he
Payback is a female dog.
...I think they should donate the money to USC...that would really rub everyone in South Bend the wrong way. Ha!
And pro-abortion secularists tend to be stingy.
Cut them off! There are plenty of authenically Catholic colleges and universities to which Catholics can donate.
I am now a USC fan...
Dear God, what have I done!
Witholding funds can become habit forming.
When one quits donating money, and instead spend it on themselves, this becomes quite addictive. “What, I have an extra $1,000 this year?”; and this makes it very hard to part with my new found wealth in years to come.
Great! Increases my odds in the football ticket lottery for this season!
But seriously, what University are these people going to support now? Georgetown? Boston College? DePaul? It’s crazy to stop supporting Notre Dame because they made one decision that you disagree with, and ignore all the other positive things the University does. Is Notre Dame as conservative as the staunchest Catholics would like? No. Is it waaaaayyyyyy more conservative than any other significant university in America? Yes, it is.
I wonder what percentage of the total alumni donations this 14 million is. Help?
Money talks, BS walks (up to the stage and then drones on an on about compromise)...
Why with hold the money from one liberal stink hole and give it to another?
No, it's not, and this decision was simply the straw that broke the camel's back.
They can support Franciscan University of Steubenville which is actually teaching the faith and not the Vagina Monologues or some other liberal tripe...
Support Ave Maria.
In what way was Notre Dame ever a truly Catholic University?
For example, were students required to attend Mass? Confession?
The fact that it was “run” by Catholics does not, in my book, necessarily make it a Catholic University.
Depends on what you mean by “significant.”
I would instead donate to Thomas Aquinas, Christendom, University of Dallas, ... just to name a few.
“Franciscan University of Steubenville”
#####
Now, THAT is a Catholic University on a level Notre Dame never was.
Which is why the boycott should also suggest a Catholic university to redirect the funds to. A way to show that you are not only upset with Notre Dame, but thankful for another Catholic university staying true.
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