Flash: Fr. Jenkins announces will transfer Laetare Medal + White House responds to Glendon Refusal

American Papist ^ | April 27, 2009 | Thomas Peters

[NYer]

Flash: Fr. Jenkins announces he will transfer Laetare Medal

This has all the signs of a knee-jerk half-baked response to Glendon's morning bombshell:

Statement by Father John Jenkins on the Laetare Medal

The following statement from Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame, is in response to the decision by Mary Ann Glendon to decline acceptance of the University’s Laetare Medal:

“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.” (University of Notre Dame Office of News & Information)

... and that's it.

He only registers "disappointment", not even attempting to answer her arguments.

In a scramble, they have no fall-back award recipient because they were presuming she would accept. Instead, they are left pulling out the Rolodex.

"Nothing to see here. Moving on."

Labels: notre dame scandal

---

Breaking: White House responds to Glendon Refusal

David Brody at CBN News passes along the short communique:

“President Obama is disappointed by former Ambassador Mary Glendon’s decision, but he looks forward to delivering an inclusive and respectful speech at the Notre Dame graduation, a school with a rich history of fostering the exchange of ideas. While he is honored to have the support of millions of people of all faiths, he does not govern with the expectation that everyone sees eye to eye with him on every position, and the spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues is part of what he loves about this country.”

Jen Psaki, White House Deputy Press Secretary

Labels: notre dame scandal

[NYer]

FULL TEXT OF GLENDON'S REFUSAL

She had been notably silent about accepting the honor, now we know why. She just faxed this letter to the president of Notre Dame at 9:30AM this morning:

{update - Fr. Jenkins has issued a response.}

Dear Father Jenkins,

When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.

Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

• “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”

• “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Yours Very Truly,

Mary Ann Glendon

[source: First Things - which appears to be inundated with traffic...]

{update - Fr. Jenkins has issued a response.}

update: LifeNews adds a little context. update 2: expert commentary posted here.

[ex91B10]

"...It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient..."

Hot Potato here.

[prismsinc]

Anyone that accepts that award will be regarded as a pariah amongst Catholics

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Ooh, ooh, ooh! Let me guess — George Tiller, ooh, no...wait, maybe Kathleen Sebelius or Hillary Clinton or Jocelyn Elder? I assume they'll want a woman (since they already have Obama) — just who else could they put their thumbs in our eyes with? Gee, this is harder than I thought.

[353FMG]

“...the spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues is part of what he loves about this country.”

Snif.

[trisham]

I’m disgusted.

[detective]

Why don’t they just award the medal to Dr. Tiller. Maybe this young lady could give him the award.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236279,00.html

[B-Chan]

Hey, Jenkins, I hear that Rembert Weakland’s schedule is open that day...

[353FMG]

Nancy Pelosi?

[Wpin]

Fr. Jenkins has already sold his soul...not sure what he is bargaining for now...but he doesn’t have anything of value left to offer this once fine university.

[Fantasywriter]

Caroline Kennedy

[DieHard the Hunter]

The medal is tainted. Anyone who accepts it will know that they weren’t Notre Dame’s first choice, and that they only got the medal because a better person said “no thankyou”.

Anybody with any self-respect would politely decline to accept it under such circumstances.

[nickcarraway]

Already posted here: Statement by Father John Jenkins on the Laetare Medal (Will Announce Replacement ASAP)

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Excellent call. Yes, that's it. I'm certain she'd be all a twitter over it. See what happens when we all put our thinking caps on and brainstorm? We, too, can be odiously offensive to those with whom we're supposed to be in communion. Father Jenkins — Let's hear it for Nancy Polosi!!!!

[NYer]

Lol!!!

[TheOldLady]

Hmmm... I wonder what zer0 has on this guy? Or what he’s getting from zer0?

Something big, I suppose. Lots of our money, or maybe quashing pedophile priest stories, or dropping investigations?

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

I nominate FR’s own Charles Henrickson.

He’s a (small ‘c’ catholic) and the Roman Church doesn’t recognize his ordination as “apostlic”, kinda making him a layman. And, he’s done great things for the (capital ‘C’) Church!

[Constitutions Grandchild]

Another great call. Didn’t Rome just give her a thumbs down on the very position Ms. Glendon once held. Of course! Gosh, we’re on a roll.

[savedbygrace]

I’ve heard Ward Churchill is available.