The polarizing tendencies of election-year politics can lead to circumstances in which Catholic teaching and sacramental practice can be misused for political ends. Respect for the Holy Eucharist, in particular, demands that it be received worthily and that it be seen as the source for our common mission in the world.

At some point, the Bishops may rationalize their policy, and when they do, we’ll have something to talk about. In the meantime, Catholics who look to Vatican II will continue to think for themselves.

I can promise you that not ONE of these people is devoting one single brain cell to the graduating seniors and their families, a big majority of whom are honored to have President Obama as their commencement speaker. This is shameful and disgusting.

Masaccio, thank you for this post. As a non-Catholic I can only imagine how you must feel.

So, is it the position of the Caltholic heirarchy and the Cardinal Newman Society that only those who favor the criminalization of abortion should be allowed to speak at the University of Notre Dame?

The Catholic hierarchy is divided on that question. A dozen or so of the American bishops would say “Yes” and they’ve made that answer loudly and publicly. The silence from the other bishops, however, reflects the division among the hierarchy — and this silence really, really irritates the hardliners.

Randall Terry went to Rome and videotaped an interview with Archbishop Raymond Burke, formerly of St. Louis and now head of the Vatican’s equivalent of SCOTUS, in which Burke slammed several US bishops by name for being too weak in opposing pro-choice Catholic politicians. Burke wouldn’t be so upset if he wasn’t in a minority.

That said, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops is in somewhat the same position as the GOP. There is a vocal hardline crowd, pushing things farther and farther to the right, with the result that many in the middle and left are deciding to leave. More moderate leaders are finding themselves on the defensive — either marginalized or ostracized.

Class valedictorian Brennan Bollman, who will be sharing the stage with the president on Sunday, says that there has been ‘healthy debate’ on campus, but that

Like Jesus … Obama is trying to invite “everyone to the table.”

“This issue has not divided the campus by any means,” says the Catholic, pro-life biology major who will be attending Harvard Medical School after graduation.

U.S. bishops approved a policy in 2004 stating: “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

That policy is at the heart of the Notre Dame controversy. The university claims its honor does not suggest support for the president’s policies on abortion and embryonic stem cell research, but scores of bishops and the thousands who have signed the petition clearly disagree. For them, there is a sense that they and their faith have been betrayed.

http://www.latimes.com/news/op…..7533.story

So, is it the position of the Caltholic heirarchy and the Cardinal Newman Society that only those who favor the criminalization of abortion should be allowed to speak at the University of Notre Dame?

Here are the parts of the letter you omitted:

“Notre Dame has a long custom of conferring honorary degrees on the President of the United States. It has never been a political statement or an endorsement of policy. It is the University’s expression of respect for the leader of the nation and the Office of the President. In the Catholic tradition, our first allegiance is to God in Christ, yet we are called to respect, participate in, and contribute to the wider society. As St. Peter wrote (I Pt. 2:17), we should honor the leader who upholds the secular order.

At the same time, and born of the same duty, a Catholic university has a special obligation not just to honor the leader but to engage the culture. Carrying out this role of the Catholic university has never been easy or without controversy. When I was an undergraduate at Notre Dame, Fr. Hesburgh spoke of the Catholic university as being both a lighthouse and a crossroads. As a lighthouse, we strive to stand apart and be different, illuminating issues with the moral and spiritual wisdom of the Catholic tradition. Yet, we must also be a crossroads through which pass people of many different perspectives, backgrounds, faiths, and cultures. At this crossroads, we must be a place where people of good will are received with charity, are able to speak, be heard, and engage in responsible and reasoned dialogue.

The President’s visit to Notre Dame can help lead to broader engagement on issues of importance to the country and of deep significance to Catholics. Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the good will that come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decisions on matters of human life and human dignity.

There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama. His views and policies on immigration, expanding health care, alleviating poverty, and building peace through diplomacy have a deep resonance with Catholic social teaching. As the first African-American holder of this office, he has accelerated our country’s progress in overcoming the painful legacy of slavery and segregation. He is a remarkable figure in American history, and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame.

As President Obama is our principal speaker, there will no doubt be much attention on your Commencement. Remember, though, that this day is your day. My fervent prayer is that May 17 will be a joyous day for you and your family. You are the ones we celebrate and applaud. Congratulations, and may God bless you.”

I have added the emphasis. By the way, I did not receive a letter from that fool Terry, nor did several ND grads I have checked with here in El Paso. Thank God for small favors.

ND has stood strong and still stands strong against the power grab the late JPII tried to put on Catholic universities with the ill fated Ex Corde scandal. It led the way along with the Jesuits at Boston College and elsewhere.

While you are engaged in the bashing, give credit where credit is due.

Jesus B. Ochoa
El Paso, Texas ND ‘56