Sunday, May 17, 2009

The Notre Dame controversy

Well, it happened. The preiminent Catholic University in America has bestowed an honorary degree on President Barack Obama. Despite the clear and precise guidelines from American Catholic Bishops on the matter, old Notre Dame did want they wanted to do. This is sad.

It's very confusing when just one week ago the secular Arizona St. University choose not to bestow an honorary degree on the President as he addressed their graduating seniors. This was a more practical decision for ASU. They simply decided that Obama's presidency was too new to prematurely declare him and his new administration as the greatest ever. From a simple standard of measurable accomplishment, nothing yet has truly been achieved. Apparently, this news has been wasted on the President of Notre Dame, who today truly crossed the line in introducing Obama with an overwhelming campaign pep rally stump speech.

Obama delivered a great speech, from the status of delivery, tone, voice, etc. Is this news? I do welcome his statement on conscience clauses and his belief in open hearts, open minds and fair words. But lets all be clear; despite his invitation to dialogue and understanding, his actions do not match his rhetoric. In a remarkably short period of time, he has signed executive orders that increase options for abortion, tested the waters on FOCA (although he has not made any concrete action here yet; thank God), appointed a very pro-choice secretary for health and today it is reported that his leading Supreme Court candidate has a 100% pro-choice record.

In an earlier post, I asked if Obama is the most pro-death President ever. While time will tell, the early results are not good. And today, in his speech, he indicated that "fair words" would not change his position, that abortion should be rare (apparently not rare enough to be illegal), that unintended pregnancies should be avoided (you think he meant abstinence or more solutions that go against Church teaching) and that those supporting embryonic stem cell research have hope for a cure; I think he specifically mentioned juvenile diabetes. Newsflash: there is not now or has there ever been any scientific proof that stems cells from embryos will do anything about juvenile diabetes. Yet, adult stem cells show promise and there was not one single word mentioned about adult stem cells.

It is evident that the pro-life movement must be strong and vigilant in the weeks, months and years ahead. Prayer is needed, vigils at abortion mills are needed, fasting is needed, support of mothers who struggle to keep the child is needed and adoption is needed. We, as people of faith, must be true to our faith in our vigilance and in our response and dialogue with those who disagree. In our response, however, we can never cede that which is true based on the teachings of the church and natural law.

Today, Norma McCorvey completed her vigil and was finally arrested for being pro-life. By the way, Norma used to be Roe as in Roe v. Wade. That's right, the plantiff in the abortion ruling does not even believe in abortion any more. Yesterday, the crack police force of our famous Catholic University arrested a frail 80 year old priest. His crime: carrying a cross on an open sidewalk and singing Ave Marie. We have a long way to go.

We must be strong. We must be pro-life. This is the clear teaching of the Church, despite the disobedience of many. We must recognize seemingly gentle words as what they are: "With his lips an enemy pretends, but in his inmost being he maintains deceit, when he speaks graciously, trust him not. The lying tongue is it's owners enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin." Not my quote, from the Word of God: Proverbs 26: 24-28.

Believe instead in God for He is still on His throne. And despite the events of today, Jesus Christ is still the same, yesterday, today and forever.

Nothing personal, I'll be pulling for LSU Football, as usual AND whoever plays ND.

Deacon Mike

1 comment:

  1. Mike,

    I graduated from Notre Dame with a Philosophy degree in 1978, and like many alumni sent in numerous emails, and signed numerous petitions to prevent this. Nothing seemed to influence the University Board of Trustees or incredibly even the University President who as you know is a practicing Catholic priest.

    Many, many alumni and current students (including the K of C Council on campus - which I am very proud of, because their very public stance took courage) are dismayed by this. What we can do now, or in the future is problematic. If Fr. Jenkins and apparently the religious superiors of his Order are willing to defy, both the US Bishops, the specific and personal directives of the local Bishop, and Church teachings we have little hope of changing their direction. We can pray, and that is what we will continue to do.

    Do you know how an active Catholic priest can defy the local Bishop and still remain a priest?

    I understand the status of ND as a Catholic University will be under review by the Bishops, but I have not heard anything about Fr. Jenkins being subject to any disciplinary action from the Church. How it this possible?
    We can forgive Fr. Jenkins and pray for him, as I think he has failed in his Pastoral duties, however, we should not have to continue to allow him to continue to influence the faithful from his current platform if he refuses to accept the teachings of the church. I am concerned about him continuing in his current role and will work as an alumni to effect a change.

    Vivat Jesu

    Ellis Iverson
    ND Class of 1978

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