Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Bring It On! More Shepherds Sound Off Re: ND/Obama

A couple of more prelates have stated the obvious.

We've got a red hat on-board now. LifeSite has Cardinal DiNardo breaking out his own chastisements for the ND administration.

In his pastor newsletter over the weekend, Cardinal DiNardo said he found the commencement invitation "very disappointing."

He said that having a sitting president at a graduation ceremony is an honor, but he added that Notre Dame has a higher obligation to Catholic teaching.

"Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning," he explained.

About Obama's consistent pro-abortion record, Cardinal DiNardo said, "The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person."

Oh, and he also brought up the 2004 directive from the USCCB prohibiting these sorts of awards. I hope our shepherds continue to bring this up, if for no other reason than the high comedic value of Obama-supporters trying to get around the plain wording of the bishops.

Not only did His Eminence chime in, Bishop Aymond of Austin also had his own take on the issue:

Meanwhile, Texas Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin joined in the criticism and denounced the school for not "living up to its Catholic identity."

"In my opinion it is very clear that in this case the University of Notre Dame does not live up to its Catholic identity in giving this award and their leadership needs our prayerful support," he wrote in his newsletter.

"In the midst of such a sad situation, as Catholics we must continue to be pro-life and to proclaim with even greater strength the values of Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church," he continued.

As the list of condemnations grows, I wonder if Fr. Jenkins will have the fortitude to admit that he got this one wrong. So far, this whole thing has been blasted by the local ordinary and a roll call of pretty well-known guys from across the country, including a Cardinal now. Can't see any hierarchical support coming any time soon, and to be blunt, the opinions of the world's Doug Kmiecs don't mean squat. Jenkins crumbled under much less pressure on a much less significant issue in the past (the Vagina Monologues).

What would it take for him to admit that he was wrong? How many will have to point out his error before he overcomes his pride and repents?

Here's hoping that Cardinals George and Rigali will be delivering their own verbal beatdowns very soon. Is it to much to hope that the Holy Father will bring it up?

Would that be enough to make a difference?

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