Daniel Cardinal DiNardo has become the latest in a series of bishops questioning the appropriateness of the University of Notre Dame’s invitation to invite President Barack Obama to address the commencement ceremony as well as to receive an Honorary Law degree. One distinguishes Cardinal DiNardo from the previous three bishops is that he is the highest ranking prelate in the United States to voice his “disappointment” to the invitation. The following is an excerpt from the Texas Catholic Herald, the mouthpiece of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (separation of paragraphs and emphasis mine):
“I find the invitation very disappointing. 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. 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.”
“The Bishops of the United States published a document a few years ago asking all Catholic universities to avoid giving a platform or an award to those politicians or public figures who promote the taking of unborn human life. Even given the dignity of the Office of the President, this offer is still providing a platform and an award to a public figure who has been candid on his pro-abortion views.”
“Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a “Teacher,” in this case of the Law. I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.’
Cardinal DiNardo has eloquently provided his own charitable but vigorous critique on the matter by expressing his disappointment to the invitation.
For the link click here.
(Biretta Tip: Rocco Palmo)
Thank you Cardinal DiNardo from the bottom of my heart.
My sentiments exactly Debbie.
By God, this is what one expects of a Texan Cardinal !
Give ’em [charitable but vigorous] Hell, Cardinal DiNardo !
Yes, thank you for your leadership, Cardinal.
Now Archbishop Timothy Dolan, upcoming Archbishop of New York, has weighed in on matter. In interview broadcast Sunday on WTMJ-TV Milwaukee- where he will leave April 14 for Manhattan skyline- His Eminence told host Charlie Sykes about his own disappointment for Father Jenkins’ decision. Not going well for the Good Father. Tee hee.
As a Notre Dame graduate I ask ” are we a Catholic University or are
we just another fine university with a good sports program?”
The most visible clergy in the U. S. have a moral responsibility to express disappointment and disagreement with what Notre Dame has done. Cardinal DiNardo has absolutely done the right thing. It seems to me the Pope has the same responsibility but we will not hear from him.
It seems to me the Pope has the same responsibility but we will not hear from him.
I would have to think that Notre Dame University is pretty peripheral to the pope’s concerns. It’s one college (although a moderately prestigious one) in one country in the world.