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Fr. Jenkins Makes Ironic Plea for Civility
The Cardinal Newman Society ^ | 1/10/13 | Matthew Archbold

Posted on 01/11/2013 7:35:58 AM PST by marshmallow

Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., the president of the University of Notre Dame, has a piece in The Wall Street Journal pleading for civility in debate. This is not the first time that Fr. Jenkins has used that word. In fact, calls for “civility” have become something of a hallmark of his presidency of the University.

In recent years, there have reportedly been on-campus panel discussions on civility, a University forum called “A More Perfect Union: The Future of America’s Democracy,” and posters urging students to take the “Notre Dame Pledge for Virtuous Discourse,” which encourages students to engage in respectful dialogue. And in 2009, “civility” was one of Fr. Jenkins’ most often used defense of his decision to honor pro-abortion rights President Barack Obama.

Now, Fr. Jenkins writes in The Wall Street Journal:

Civility is sometimes derided in the modern world, where bluntness and even coarseness have somehow come to be celebrated in many quarters. But civility is not a minor virtue. It is not an attempt to impose someone’s notion of courtesy, and it is certainly not an attempt to suppress speech. Civility is what allows speech to be heard. It is an appeal to citizens never to express or incite hatred, which is more dangerous to the country than any external enemy.

A more sincere effort to persuade one another would remind us why the Founders believed this country could improve on history: We were the first society in many centuries with the chance to use free speech and sound argument to debate our way toward a better future.

That path is still open, and as promising as ever.

Ironically, Fr. Jenkins’ tenure at Notre Dame has been marked not by robust, civil engagement with the culture in defense of Catholic values, but by reticence to uphold the.....

(Excerpt) Read more at blog.cardinalnewmansociety.org ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Ministry/Outreach; Theology
KEYWORDS: jenkins
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Notre Dame had 88 men and women (including a priest and a nun) arrested on campus for peacefully protesting the honoring of Obama in 2009 — and then refused to drop charges despite the University’s soft treatment of protesters in prior years.

So much for "civility".

Jenkins out!

1 posted on 01/11/2013 7:36:01 AM PST by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

The GOP Establishment is all for civility when it comes to dealing with President Obama and Democrats.

The GOP Establishment saves its venom for its war against GENUINE conservatives.


2 posted on 01/11/2013 7:40:46 AM PST by Perkalong (GOP 2013 = Whigs 1856)
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To: marshmallow
Fr. John Jenkins ...pleading for civility
Civility? Like allowing a communist president who is pro abortion - including partial birth abortion - onto the "Catholic" campus?
3 posted on 01/11/2013 7:43:28 AM PST by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: oh8eleven

correct. I suspect what is meant by civility is actually capitulation


4 posted on 01/11/2013 7:47:15 AM PST by longfellowsmuse (last of the living nomads)
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To: marshmallow

When Ronald Reagan spoke there in March 1988, there were a few protesters present. Nothing was done about them.


5 posted on 01/11/2013 7:54:48 AM PST by DickBrannigan (When did logic become reversed, and right became wrong, and wrong became right?)
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To: marshmallow

Civility = “conservatives shut up”

This guy is a useful idiot.


6 posted on 01/11/2013 8:07:27 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard ("When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.")
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To: oh8eleven
Are you saying that Catholics aren't pro-abortion? Who knew?

The Church representatives, Nancy Pelousy near the top of that list, are all pro-abortion and are some of the most vocal public spokespeople for the Church's positions.

I think that's crazy, but the Church apparently agrees or doesn't think it's noteworthy enough to challenge them personally and publicly and/or refute their public statements. (I'm sorry if they have done this and I missed it.)

If this wasn't true or if there was a danger of losing souls to this pro-abortion doctrine, wouldn't the Church take a stand against and publicly and repeatedly correct the Nancy Pelousys of the world?

7 posted on 01/11/2013 8:15:44 AM PST by GBA (Here in the Matrix, life is but a dream.)
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To: Opinionated Blowhard

Civility is a code word for allow everything and shut up.


8 posted on 01/11/2013 8:16:13 AM PST by hal ogen (First Amendment or Reeducation Camp?)
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To: marshmallow

Like dragging an elderly priest away in handcuffs for praying the Rosary?

God is not pleased with Fr. Jenkins, and I’m sure that is why ND looked foolish on the playing field this week.Actions have consequences.


9 posted on 01/11/2013 8:17:15 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: marshmallow

I am surprised Father Jenkins would talk about “civility” after AL handed ND its rear-end on Monday night.


10 posted on 01/11/2013 8:20:39 AM PST by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: marshmallow


11 posted on 01/11/2013 8:30:52 AM PST by shibumi (Cover it with gas and set it on fire.)
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To: marshmallow

The Left always calls for “civility” when we begin pushing back. So predictable.


12 posted on 01/11/2013 8:34:24 AM PST by MotorCityBuck ( Keep the change, you filthy animal! ,)
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To: marshmallow

The Left always calls for “civility” when we begin pushing back. So predictable.


13 posted on 01/11/2013 8:35:54 AM PST by MotorCityBuck ( Keep the change, you filthy animal! ,)
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To: marshmallow

The Left always calls for “civility” when we begin pushing back. So predictable.


14 posted on 01/11/2013 8:36:54 AM PST by MotorCityBuck ( Keep the change, you filthy animal! ,)
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To: marshmallow

Notre Dame should change the name of this secular humanist trap for innocent freshmen.

It is certainly not Catholic.


15 posted on 01/11/2013 8:47:30 AM PST by IbJensen (Liberals are like Slinkies, good for nothing, but you smile as you push them down the stairs.)
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To: marshmallow

As a priest he should be much more concerned with canon law, rather than civil law and civility.

CANON LAW

The authentic compilation of the laws of the Catholic Church. Two major compilations have been made in the Church’s history, Gratian’s Decree, assembled about A.D. 1140 by the Italian Camaldolese monk Gratian, and the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope Benedict XV in 1917, and effective on Pentecost, May 19, 1918. Since the Second Vatican Council, a new compilation has been undertaken of existing Church laws.


16 posted on 01/11/2013 8:49:10 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: GBA

You do know, don’t you, that Catholics, REAL Catholics, are very much against abortion?

Pelosi and other CINOs, Catholics in name only have excommunicated themselves by supporting abortion.


17 posted on 01/11/2013 8:51:23 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: GBA

You do know, don’t you, that Catholics, REAL Catholics, are very much against abortion?

Pelosi and other CINOs, Catholics in name only, have excommunicated themselves by supporting abortion.


18 posted on 01/11/2013 8:51:47 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: GBA

You do know, don’t you, that Catholics, REAL Catholics, are very much against abortion?

Pelosi and other CINOs, Catholics in name only, have excommunicated themselves by supporting abortion.


19 posted on 01/11/2013 8:51:54 AM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Well, this Catholic Aggie fan was routing for Alabama.
20 posted on 01/11/2013 8:51:54 AM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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