For that matter: yes, he has disobeyed the stand taken by the USCCB against giving platforms and honors to those who defy the fundamental norms of morality; but he says (1)he understood that to apply only to Catholic honorees, and not to non-Catholic honorees, and (2)besides, the USCCB does not have direct canonical authority over him: only his Father Superior in Rome does.
Notre Dame University must submit to the rules that the USCCB requires them to follow...
Specifically, the directive from Catholics in Political Life FORBIDS honoring people who do not follow the moral principles of the Catholic Church. It does not say that it FORBIDS ONLY HONORING CATHOLICS, BUT EVERYONE.
Obama cannot be honored by Notre Dame for this reason.
Disobedience to this USCCB directive is in fact disobedience to the Church.
We both know that the three most relevant clerical authorities would be Bishop D'Arcy of Ft. Wayne/South Bend, USCCB President Cardinal George, and CSC Father Superior Fr. Hugh Cleary. All of them have come out against honoring Obama, but not one of them has brought up the issue of obedience, or used the word "disobedience."
Why? Probably because the USCCB doesn't have "canonical" authority over Fr. Jenkins. Their resolutions are not (technically, legalistically) binding on him.
The only one who has "binding canonical" authority over Fr. Jenkins is Fr. Cleary, who is presently in the process of bending himself into a pretzel, simultaneously saying Obama is responsible for promoting "intrinic evil" and pouring obsequious flattery all over him. (It's hard to bear reading through the full 13 pages of his letter to Obama.) He hints he could require Fr. Jenkins to do (something) by mentioning that he's Fr. Jenkins' personal superior; but never does he forbid Jenkins to honor Obama; quite the contrary, he congratulates Obama for receiving theh honorary degree!
In other words, the Notre Dame President and Board have evidently had their consciences corrupted by their own Superiors!
With the exception of the 40-or-so bishops who have (verbally) protested against this (with no actual disciplinary action), the whole noodle-spined heirarchy has failed us.
That's why the laity must enforce what the bishops will not. Remember your Confirmation; remember we are an essential part of the Church Militant. Best of all is provoking the withdrawal of donor funding. If Notre Dame worships Mammon, then dammit, let Mammon judge them.