Ashamed of Notre Dame

Most Catholics have heard that the President of Notre Dame University invited U.S. President Barak Obama to this year's commencement ceremonies where he will receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws degree. Unfortunately, Notre Dame's president, FATHER John Jenkins, ignored the U.S. Conferences of Catholic Bishops, who in 2004 released a document instructing Catholic universities NOT to honor pro-abortion politicians. It is widely known that President Obama is an extremely outspoken pro-abortion advocate. There is some debate as to whether Fr. Jenkins had alterior motives for his actions or if he was simply 'following the crowd' as his predecessors had done in inviting U.S. Presidents to commencements. However, his motives are not as important as the results.

I have had a few persons approach me to dispute why the Church should even be involved in this situation. I even had one person tell me that its just another example of the Church "sticking their noses in other people's business just like they do in my personal life and in my bedroom." Obviously this person has issues with the Church well beyond the Notre Dame issue and is simply looking for an angle of attack against the Church. Yet, I think it is a good idea to explore why this situation at Notre Dame IS the business of the Catholic Church.

First, I don't think you could find more than a handful of people in the United States who don't know that Notre Dame is a Catholic university. In fact, it is uneqivocally the most recognized Catholic university in America. Some may not know that Georgetown or Gonzaga are Catholic universities but everyone knows that Notre Dame is Catholic. That is the first issue. Notre Dame prides itself on being a Catholic university. It is one of its primary selling points. To prove it, simply Google Notre Dame on the internet and their university will come up first. The description below the link on Google says, "An independent, national CATHOLIC university located at Notre Dame, Indiana" (caps added for emphesis). If you identify yourself as a Catholic university then it IS the Church's business because you are using it to promote your school.

Second, since the President as well as a significant number of the faculty are Catholic priests it is not only the Church's business but the Church also has direct authority over them, and specifically their bishops have authority over them. Their presence and positions on the staff of the campus speak even more to the university being Catholic. It's one way to say "we are Catholic" but its another to have representatives of the Catholic Church on your staff.

I think these two points make it clear that the situation at Notre Dame is absolutely the business of the Church. Yet, many question the Church's involvement and still others ask what is the big deal anyway. That sounds like a question to tackle in my next blog. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 10:30 | link | comments (6) |

Comments:

#1  14 May 2009 - 12:30

 

Maybe you should do a homily on why this is an issue and why it was wrong for ND to honor him.

Anonymous

#2  19 May 2009 - 13:21

 

I wanted to correct a few inaccuracies.

First of all, you got the name of the "most recognized Catholic University in America" wrong. It's not Notre Dame University; there are a lot of Notre Dame Colleges and Notre Dame Universities out there. But there's only one University of Notre Dame.

Second, it was not "The Catholic Church" that criticized Fr. Jenkins; it was a few clergy and bishops, whose opinions may deserve respect, but who have no authority to either represent the Church as a whole, or to expect ND to obey their opinions. Notre Dame is run by the Holy Cross Fathers, and like other monastic orders, they are under the authority of the superior of their order, who answers directly to the Pope; the local Bishop is nowhere in that chain of command.

Third, I object to the unsubstantiated generalizations about Obama being "outspoken pro-abortion." He has said, on multiple occasions, that he is personally opposed to abortion. His support of its legality comes from an understandable concern for the lives and rights of women.

Fourth, ND is not "using [the Church] to promote the school." If anything, it's the other way 'round. Hundreds of non-Catholics choose ND each year for its academic and ethical reputation. They are immediately immersed in Catholic culture and beliefs, from Our Lady atop the Dome to the chapels in every residence hall, from the weekly service project opportunities at the Center for Social Concerns to the constant discussion of ethics in every science and business classroom. No one who has ever been to ND could ever accuse them of not being Catholic enough. ND's example of the best qualities of Catholicism has converted thousands.

Judging ND entirely by its actions in one small controversy is a disservice to both ND and your readers.

-Diana Shepard, ND class of 1998,
B.A. Theology

Anonymous

#3  19 May 2009 - 15:40

 

Diana,

I understand your comments but let ME set a few things straight.

1) The clergy and bishop DO represent the Church. Their 'opinions' are not simply opinions. The bishops specifically are the successors to the Apostles, appointed by the Holy Father and represent AND speak in his name.

2) Any Catholic clergy or religious order IS under the authority of the bishop whose diocese they reside in. The bishop has absolute authority over the Catholic clergy in his diocese and that authority comes by the virtue of his appointment by the Pope.

3) "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other." - Matthew 6:24. You CANNOT claim to belief one thing and then proceed to do another. The president is either against abortion or he supports it. You can't be both. Your actions cannot contradict your words because it is the actions that prove or disprove your words.

4) Notre Dame IS using the Church to promote its school. Google Notre Dame and the FIRST link that comes up is their university web site with the description is, and I quote "An independent, national Catholic university..." The very first phrase identifies itself as Catholic. How can you say they are not using the Church to promote themselves!!! The evidence is absolute and undeniable. It is right there on their own web site!!

5) I HAVE been to Notre Dame multiple times and I am not criticizing the college as an institution. I AM criticizing the choice of its president to invite an OPENLY pro-abortion speaker, regardless of whether he is the President of the U.S. or not.

I appreciate your comments but unfortunately most of them are either misinformed or outright wrong.

Rev. Christopher Rossman
M.A. Theology; M.A. Divinity

crossman

#4  19 May 2009 - 21:41

 

I have a couple of comments I want to make. First, Diana, with all due respect pointing out the obvious accidental misnaming of the university seems very petty and a poor way to begin your comments.

Father, I agree with much of what you said. However, I don't see how the church thinks it should have authority over the university. I understand that the bishop has authority over the priests but not the university. The objections of the church did not make a difference anyway - the president gave the commencement address and the university got a lot of publicity. This whole thing hasn't really hurt Notre Dame at all. If anything it actually has helped them.

Anonymous

#5  19 May 2009 - 21:51

 

I would disagree with your assessment that Notre Dame has not been hurt by this. First, many, many faithful Catholics are upset and I have spoken to at least two persons who are reconsidering their desire to attend Notre Dame when they graduate high school. Secondly, they are taking a HUGE financial hit. According to Fox News, "more than 1,400 pledges have been received from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations, a tally of nearly $14 million" (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/17/notre-dames-standing-catholics-risk/) I think it is safe to say that certainly hurts the university. I would also wager that they aren't the only ones reconsidering their support of the university.
We most certainly have not seen the last of this issue. This issue will have repercussions well beyond this weekend.

God bless,
Fr. Chris Rossman

crossman

#6  20 May 2009 - 15:14

 

Kindly Ms. Shepard, there are some important corrections to make to your post.

For item #2, it should be noted that nearly 80 (!) American bishops went on the record denouncing Notre Dame's decision. That is NOT a "few clergy and bishops", it is a substantial number. And it should be noted that the Bishops speak for the Church (not a few Holy Cross Fathers who speak for the bishops)-- but fine, if you insist that they report to the pope, then let's see what His Excellency has said on the matter. One particular line from his 2008 visit comes to mind: "Each and every aspect of college life must reverberate within the ecclesial life of faith." (http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3428&Itemid=48)
How, exactly, do the Holy Cross Fathers assert that honoring the most pro-abortion president in American History with an honorary doctorate (!) holds to an ecclesial life of faith?

To your #3, please do not spread this deliberate misinformation. The President has ABSOLUTELY said that he is pro-abortion, not "personally opposed". How laughable! I suggest you see his own words: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg
He doesn't want his daughters "punished with a baby". Personally opposed to abortion? Laughable, Ms. Shephard. Laughable.

To your last point, I can agree. Judging ND by a single act is unfair. Consider then, nearly 40 years of blatantly unCatholic action from our nation's premiere Catholic University. Go ahead, read the list. I'll wait.
http://www.all.org/article.php?id=11934

It seems to me that the point is no longer "why did Notre Dame pull this stunt," but rather "why do people still consider Notre Dame a Catholic University"?

Having Mary statues and an ethics department does not make you a Catholic institution. Teaching and living the Faith-- even when it's unpopular to do so-- makes a Catholic school.

WhollyRoaminCatholic

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