You wrote:
“I’m a practicing Catholic and my opinion is that Pope Benedict showed a failure of leadership. The proper place for the Pope on Sunday was standing shoulder to shoulder at the alternate graduation ceremony with the Bishop of the Notre Dame Diocese.”
You are completely wrong. The proper place of the pope was in his church at his altar tending to HIS first flock. That’s Rome - not Notre Dame in Indiana. He was in Israel until the 15th. Do you REALLY expect him to fly all the way to Podunk, Indiana because Notre Dame is led by a moron? If you do, then you are completely out of your mind. He’s an 82 or 83 year old man and was never much of a last second jet setter. Popes do not fly around to hotspots on the drop of a dime nor should they.
“That appearance would have forced the American Catholic hierarchy to crap or get off the pot.”
If you believe that then you’re out of touch with reality. Obama might not have been able to give his nonsensical speech, but NOTHING would have changed with OUR hierarchy. Those bishops who are orthodox and brave would have continued to be so. Those who are not, would have stayed away at all costs. It’s just that simple.
You've lost touch with reality. The Popes flock is the universe of Catholics and the most important place the Pope could have been on Sunday was in South Bend, Indiana. And if the Pope is not young and healthy enough to tend to his entire flock, then he should give way to somebody younger.
In case you hadn't noticed the secularists are winning and they will continue to win if the leadership of the Catholic Church continues to sit on the sidelines.
Now this is my opinion and I have no problem with you dissenting from it. I also have no problem getting nasty if that's the road you want to travel. Your choice.