Notre Dame draws Texas fire from Cardinal DiNardo

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Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston

Houston, Texas, Mar 28, 2009 / 04:46 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, on Friday became the first American cardinal to publicly criticize the University of Notre Dame for inviting President Barack Obama to be this year's commencement speaker and to award him with an honorary law degree.

In his weekly "A Shepherd's Message" in the Texas Catholic Herald, Cardinal DiNardo expresses his disappointment with Notre Dame's decision.

Cardinal DiNardo begins his column by commenting on Pope Benedict's recent letter explaining his decision to lift the excommunications of the four bishops ordained by the schismatic Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Praising the Pope's call for internal peace in the Church, the Cardinal says that "vigorous and heartfelt discussion, even debate, needs to be placed in the arms of charity for effectiveness."

"In light of what I wrote above," the cardinal says in the final part of his column, "I want to venture a comment on the recently released statement of the University of Notre Dame; that statement noted that the President has accepted an invitation to give the Commencement Address this year as well as receive an Honorary Law Degree."

“I find the invitation very disappointing,” Cardinal DiNardo writes.

"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."

According to Cardinal DiNardo, “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 Office of the President, this offer is still providing a platform and an award for a public figure who has been candid on his pro-abortion views."

"Particularly troubling, he continues, 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 was also joined by fellow Texas bishop Gregory Aymond, who also spoke about the scandal on Friday.

"In my opinion,” writes the Bishop of Austin, “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.”

Counting Bishop Aymond and Cardinal DiNardo, four U.S. bishops have criticized Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama.

This past Tuesday, Bishop John D'Arcy, the bishop of the diocese that Notre Dame is located in, announced that he would not be attending Obama's commencement and suggested that the university was choosing “prestige over truth.” Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix spoke out against the invitation on Friday, saying that Notre Dame was committing “a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States.”

Comments: 115

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Lynn Hanley
Pittsburgh, PA USA 05/06/2009 02:08 PM EST

I will never be Catholic again. Where was the Catholic protest when hundreds of innocent men were put in cages too small for a dog, at Guantanamo, and subject to humiliation and torture, under policies instituted by a pro-life President? Some *died* there, after being tortured. Where is Catholic protest over the death of innocents in Iraq? Where is Cardinal DiNardo's public protest over the sexual abuse and exploitation of children by Catholic priests? Where is Catholic devotion to the living?

DiNardo's comments are disrespectful of a great man, President Obama, who is leading us out of wars and strenghtening our resolve to fight our worst impulses as humans. Surely, Obama is a man of God, perhaps moreso than some single-issue Bishops.

If President Obama was not black, would the Catholic bishops be disrespecting him in this manner? DiNardo's comments, that ND is doing this for prestige only, falls way short of the mark. ND invited Obama because many of Obama's policies are enlightened and Christian at heart.

I will not be Catholic because of the fundamentalism that now rules in the church. How I miss Pope John XXIII.

Published by: James Schwartz
Los Angeles 04/18/2009 08:27 AM EST

Backward-thinkers like Pope Benedict and Cardinal DiNardo, while highly learned men, prey on the ignorant and uneducated masses in Africa, Mexico and Latin America. The Cardinal should be deprived of his academic status and confine his remarks to Sunday Mass. One need only drive through AIDS-ravaged African countries or visit the overpopulated streets of East Los Angeles to see the failure of Catholic philosophy to improve social conditions. Behind the Church's ideas is a simple dictum: make more Catholics to fill the pews at any cost. Fortunately, the educated nations of the West are a gathering storm of protest that will expose your greed, zeal and ignorance.

Published by: joan sheridan
Needham, MA 04/08/2009 11:52 AM EST

Just for the record..Cardinals, Bishops and parish priests pay taxes. I know because my brother was a priest (now a Bishop) and I use to help him with his income taxes.

Published by: Coloboyz
Conre, TX 04/07/2009 08:18 AM EST

I'm curious - all of these Bishops that are outraged that Obama was chosen to speak at Notre Dame due to his pro-choice position - where was their outrage when the Pope invited Nicholas Sarkozy, the pro-choice president of France, to the Vatican to receive the title of Honorary Chanoine in December 2007? Why was that invitation and honor to a pro-choice dignitary different than this one? Sounds more like these priests are being political rather than supporting their religion. They are being hypocrites for political purposes. Another sad for religion........

Published by: Cliff Roe ND JD '67
Cincinnati, Ohio 03/31/2009 09:53 AM EST

I heartily agree with Cardinal DiNardo. The so called social justice arguments used to justify Catholics ignoring the antics of these culture of death politicians don't work. You can't justify or ignore abortion by saying it is a political issue, or by referring to wars, social ills, taxes, capital punishment, clergy abuse, etc. Pres Lincoln said it best, you are either for slavery or against it. Doesn't that apply to killing innocents? Since 1973 there have been more than 45 million legal abortions. Our Lady must be up on that tarnished golden dome in tears at the lack of true Catholics running ND. To give Obama an honorary law degree only rubs salt in the deep wounds created by Fr. Jenkins' decision to "honor" the most pro-death President we have ever had.

Published by: cindi
alabama 03/31/2009 08:43 AM EST

if this were a secular college there would be no problem. this is a CATHOLIC COLLEGE. Therefore, the Bishops have every right, and responsibility to speak up. To all those who condemn the Pope about the use of condoms, try reading EVERYTHING HE SAID. He is the POPE. He promotes love, sacarifice and hope not fornication, lust and self gratification. As for the priest scandal, the Church is actively cleaning house concerning this. Child protection instruction is in place and admittance to seminaries are becoming much more stringent. Is everything perfect, no because human beings are involved. There are just as many pediphiles in other denominations but noone hears as much about it because there is no hierarcy in those churches to hold accountable. As for the war in Iraq, it may have been wrong but there is a JUST WAR exception and at the time it seemed reasonable. If you are Catholic and do not believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church why are you Catholic!? Join another church. The Catholic Church IS NOT A DEMOCRACY. If you are not Catholic and disagree with their teachings fine. But do your research BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Talk about biased! I'm just a simple Catholic and even I can refute everything I've read in these uneducated comments.

Published by: RL Wunker
Boca Raton, FL 03/31/2009 05:26 AM EST

For the person(s) who believe it is deserving of ND to have Pres. Obama because "[they] worked so hard to get here", having him is not the reward; it is a shame on ND and on the naivete of its student who so ascribes. If the President of ND has any real moral courage, he should disinvite and remove the shame on himself and the school.

Published by: joe beard
boston ma 03/30/2009 09:38 PM EST

Graduates view two movies the Silent Scream and Eclipse of Reason before you invite this President

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 03/30/2009 08:26 PM EST

Great work Cardinal! Stir up the Culture of Death minions into a frenzy! Truth won at the Cross--the veil will be lifted soon folks.

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 03/30/2009 04:52 PM EST

The issue facing Notre Dame is an expression of blatant scandal to Catholics, and the media is carefully monitoring the judgement of Catholic leaders. The bishops are being urged by the faithful to convince the General Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Cross and Father Jenkins along with the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame to disinvite the President, who has cleverly surrounded himself with so-called Catholic appointees, the first of whom is his speech writer, a graduate of Holy Cross. Then there are Vic-president Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Kathleen Sebelius. There are others, but these have publicly professed their anti-life positions.

Published by: Greatte Alexander
Alanta, GA 03/30/2009 04:26 PM EST

Rate: Regular

I understand where the bishop might be coming from but this commencement ceremony has nothing to do with the Catholic church or the bishop or the pope. It has to do with the students that worked so hard to get here.

Published by: Mickey Casavant
St. Albert, Alberta, Canada 03/30/2009 10:30 AM EST

It's great that our church leaders speak out in opposition to Notre Dame university defying direction of the bishops and inviting the President at its commencement ceremonies.

Published by: Pete Pumphrey
Evans City PA 03/30/2009 09:55 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Enough already.Let ND run its own ship. Im tired of the incessant whinning of of some of our supposedly esteemed bishops.Preach the good news for a change, this obsession with President Obama is clouding everything you do. You, the bishops, are sounding just like Hannity and Limbaugh. Its your way or the highway.Grow up.

Published by: Charles Emery
Summerfield, Fl. 03/30/2009 08:50 AM EST

In scripture, in contesting the childs mother, the King said he would cut the baby in half and give one half to each mother. Are we at a point in our debate to ask the head of the University where his true allegiance is? Choose the Church or Satin?

Published by: coloboyz
Texas 03/30/2009 08:42 AM EST

Political litmus tests are wrong. Granted, Catholics should be pro-life, but that means pro-everyone's life. We had no problem at all allowing someone who condones torture and is responsible for the death of tens of thousands of innocent people to speak at Notre Dame. Not to mention the deafening silence over a Bishop that denies the Holocaust.

I'm just saying that if Biblical tenets were what this was about, it would apply to both Republicans and Democrats. And unfortunately, that's not what happens and, therefore, one can only conclude that this is political posturing on the side of the Catholic Church. This is sad.

Published by: John
Tokyo, Japan 03/30/2009 02:30 AM EST

Rate: Regular

Intellectual dwarfism and smallmindedness seems to characterize RC debate on the issue of birth control, abortion and mercy deaths. Catholics do not agree 100% on the disastrous text of Humanae Vitae, and science itself far outstrips Benedict XIV´s anti-condom message in Africa. Nobody is pro-abortion, but it still should be a safe choice when made with an informed conscience, a human duty. Disagreement with the Church may be the best choice for an individual. The Church´s duty is to provide forgiving assistance, not condemnation. Reducing this debate to fanatical factionalism, of "ye`r with us or agin us" is a disservice to thinking Catholics everywhere. Given the Church´s catastrophic record on serious matters; Luther, Galileo, Darwin, AIDS etc. etc. etc., the Cardinal should stick to saying his prayers. Or at least dignify the debate with the seriousness and logic it deserves. Rome has been wrong on many occasions. Rome is wrong on this too. Quite the shock to the system to discover that, isn´t it? Jesus would be proud. Not.

Published by: Vinny McConnell
Kingwood,TX 03/29/2009 11:10 PM EST

Your emminence- Thank you so very much. This issue has been troubling me all week. I personally sent a respectful email to the pres. of Notre Dame. Our young adults are confused enough with the garbage in the media and on television. To have "Mr. abotion" speak at the venue of Our Lady is outrageous. God Bless you Cardinal

Published by: Barbara
Pennsylvania 03/29/2009 09:27 PM EST

How do we protest this, those of us who have loved Notre Dame and all it has stood for for years? My husband and I have decided we will send all our sweatshirts, mugs, jackets, EVERYTHING with the ND on it to the president of the university. We can no longer wear/use it with the love and pride we once had for our dear ND.
We invite others to do the same.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 03/29/2009 07:33 PM EST

Thank you, Your Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Your Excellency Bishop Gregory Aymond, and especially the first bishop to speak against the invitation, His excellency John D'Arcy. The integraty of the faith of our Catholic Church cannot survive against temptation of the evils that infiltrate our Church if we don't stand up and speak. Thank you!

Published by: Bob Klingle
Indianapolis, IN 03/29/2009 06:53 PM EST

I wonder what the good Cardinal would havetosay if Bush wereto be there? Bus started a war. Bush forced men to fight and kill. Has the Cardinal now lost his voice?

Published by: John Long
Austin, TX 03/29/2009 05:10 PM EST

Why didn't Cardinal DiNardo denounce Boston College for awarding Condi Rice an honorary degree a couple of years ago? Dr. Rice is, after all, pro-choice.

Then there's George W. Bush's commencement address at Notre Dame in 2001. Having executed more prisoners than any other governor in history, did he promote "inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death"?

Published by: Paul M Hupf
Daly City, CA, USA 03/29/2009 04:21 PM EST

Regretably Notre Dame is not alone in extending speaking invitations to public figures, many of whom claim to be practicing Catholics, who are "abortion friendly." My alma mater, a Jesuit college from which I graduated in 1942, has invited as commencement speakers, public figures, some claiming to be active Catholics, all supportive of abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

Published by: Tom Oldani
Buffalo, New York, USA 03/29/2009 04:04 PM EST

This is getting ridiculous. People are acting as though Notre Dame has never given a degree to someone who was pro-choice before. Sure, the question of when a person comes into being is an important one, but that doesn't mean Notre Dame should shut out anyone who believes differently. Trying to get Notre Dame to rescind its invitation would only serve to further divide the country. It would widen the gap not only between the Catholic church and the American political leadership, but also between the Catholic leadership and the majority of Catholics who voted for Obama.

Catholics who did vote for Obama voted for him not because of his stance on abortion, but because of his stance on poverty, war and education, and his personal Christian lifestyle. Surely Catholics can find enough common ground with the president to listen to what he has to say. And as for abortion, surely entering into a dialogue with him would be more productive than not letting him speak.

And Obama isn't even as big a proponent of abortion as people make him out to be. He's been more willing than most pro-choice politicians to engage in dialogue with pro-life groups. He said he would support a partial-birth abortion ban as long as there were provisions for protecting the life of the mother. He's even stated a goal of reducing the number of abortions performed in the US each year. We can surely disagree with Obama without casting him as a baby-killing boogeyman.

Published by: FRAN
PALM BEACH,FL USA 03/29/2009 03:27 PM EST

PRAISE BE TO JESUS!

THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH GOD ON THIS ISSUE. ANY ONE WHO WANTS AND PROMOTES ABORTION (MURDER OF THE INNOCENT) SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN AN HONORY DEGREE ESP AT A CATHOLIC UNIV.
MAY GOD RICHLY REWARD YOU AND ALL WHO STAND WITH HIM.

FRAN

Published by: Karl Locker
Dripping Springs, TX USA 03/29/2009 03:09 PM EST

God Bless you, your Excellency!

I pray that other Archbishops and Bishops will join you.

As a graduate of Our Lady's University, I can only imagine her sorrow - and that of her Son - for this scandal.

If we don't call this for what it is, why did Jesus die for us.

Respectfully,

Karl A. Locker

Published by: Aurora
dallas, tx. usa 03/29/2009 01:57 PM EST

We Catholics are so disappointed and disgusted by this. Notre Dame should lose it's Catholic designation or President Jenkins should be forced to resign!

Published by: Vicki Wilson
Shelter Cove, CA, USA 03/29/2009 01:07 PM EST

I am appauled at the Obama invitation to Notre Dame U. Who in the world appointed this disgrace to be president of N.D.? He should be removed. How can this be done. Obviously, according to their positive response to Obama, the students need to be better screened as well and the education given to "true" Catholics (in a Catholic University). I am outraged.

Published by: Marge Dunn
Downers Grove, IL 03/29/2009 01:05 PM EST

I agree that Notre Dame has lost its Catholic identity. What a pity! The honorary law degree is totally unacceptable, even if they insist on having Obama speak!!!

Published by: W. J. Doslak
Lorain, Ohio 03/29/2009 12:00 PM EST

More Bishops should speak against N.D. choice of commencement speaker. Fr. Jenkens should be admonished

Published by: Mel Villarreal
San Antonio, TX, USA 03/29/2009 11:55 AM EST

I refuse to believe that the Catholic Church is an auxiliary of the Republican party.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 03/29/2009 11:54 AM EST

Good work by the Cardinal, however this is a very sad comment on Catholic thought and morality in the US current day. Here we are praying that a Catholic priest actually get his act together and comes in line with basic Catholic principals of upholding Life and not honoring those who are secular and avid pro abortion supporters no matter what their level of 'prestige' in our society. How could ND be so morally blind? How could they sell whatever moral conviction they have for 'prestige', the equivalent of a bowl of soup? Are we testing God? Did Christ go to the Cross so we can sell Him out like this? I will pray the admin of ND realizes that only a repentent heart will be forgiven--not one that deflects responsiblity.

Published by: Mary
Fort Worth, TX USA 03/29/2009 11:36 AM EST

Way to go Cardinal DiNardo! Thank God some of the church hierarchy are speaking out on this evil. First the Vagina Monologues, now a pro-abortion politician; what has happened to Notre Dame? I used to cheer for their football teams. Not any more.

Published by: Rob
Eugene Oregon 03/29/2009 09:56 AM EST

It absolutely stuns me that the head of this institution would allow this type of thing on a Catholic Campus, or for that matter any campus. He should be defrocked and sent into exile where he might have some time to think about his actions. What is worse, is that the message being sent to Obama is despite all the rhetoric he really has nothing to fear from the main stream catholic church when politics and prestige get in the way.

Published by: Bob Lamond
Fairfax, VA 03/29/2009 09:47 AM EST

My oldest son applied and was not selected to attend ND. In hindsight I am now thankful he did not attend. He can get a non-Catholic education where he went instead!

Published by: J. Alexander Loven
Kalamazoo, Michigan 03/29/2009 01:04 AM EST

I wish the Cardinal would honor his own advice for: "vigorous and heartfelt discussion, even debate, needs to be placed in the arms of charity for effectiveness."
Alex

Published by: G.K. Thursday
USA 03/29/2009 12:27 AM EST

Why can't all the Bishops issue a common statement in support of their own document that asks "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." Only four bishops criticizing this perfidious act by Notre Dame's administration?

Published by: John
Clovis, CA 03/29/2009 12:09 AM EST

I am glad to hear that some Bishops are speaking out on UND's recognition of a Pro-Death advocate. Mr. Obama is very clear on his stance in support of abortion rights. It is a contradiction of the core values of UND to extend this invitation and recognition. Furthermore it is a dishonor to the Patroness of the university, Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ.

Published by: Paddy
Camarillo/CA/USA 03/28/2009 11:49 PM EST

only four bishops???

Published by: Stephany Wiley
Weslaco, TX USA 03/28/2009 11:35 PM EST

Thanks you Cardinal DiNardo and Bishop Aymond for standing solidly and speaking truth to your flock. We sincerely appreciate that you care for the souls of those entrusted to you.

May God bless and keep you.

Published by: M.Francis
Naples, Florida 03/28/2009 11:21 PM EST

Perhaps, the Cardinal has to step out of his IVORY TOWER and see the "real world", such as this in Beazil.

Amid Abuse in Brazil, Abortion Debate Flares
New York Times
March 27, 2009
By ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president, said he regretted the archbishop’s decision to excommunicate the two doctors, saying they had done the right thing in saving the young girl’s life. She will probably “need decades of psychological care to get her life back to normal,” he said.

Here at Pérola Byington Hospital, doctors said abortions were often necessary to protect the lives of sexual-violence victims. Of the 47 abortions performed at the hospital last year, 13 were girls under 18, all victims of rape.

In more than 80 percent of the cases, fathers or stepfathers committed the sexual abuse, doctors at the clinic said.

“A part of Brazilian society still doesn’t want to stop treating women like they are property,” said Jefferson Drezett, a gynecologist and coordinator of the sexual-abuse victims service at the hospital. “This has to change.”

Published by: paul Kos
Athens, GA 03/28/2009 11:13 PM EST

I beg to disagree with your eminances, the Bishops who would gladly have Bush speak at commencements when he inflicted an immoral, unjust war in Iraq. We were not attached, nor were we about to be. He and you, the Bishops, who did not speak out, are complicit in killing thousands of innocents, ours and theirs. Thousands!
Obama with his faults is more one of us, the latin vulgate, the catholic, the apostolic and the charitable than you are. Either don't mix politics with the church at your convenience or do so all the time. Everytime! Condemn Bush and Cheney and then you won't be hypocrites condeming Obama.

Published by: Tiny
Milwaukee,Wi. 03/28/2009 11:00 PM EST

If the Catholic bishops were as "Johnnie at the rathole" about prist sexual abuse as they are about Obama talking at Notre Dame, just maybe the church wouldn't be in the situation they are today. The Catholic church and any other church has no business forcing their religious views down the throat of American citizens. There are people out there who do not believe in God and the Constitutuon needs to protect them from religious believers. We don't want our country becoming like a Muslum country forcing their views down everyones throat. The real issue here is the there would be no abortions if the "good Christians" wern't going to the abortion clinics. Just maybe the "Church" needs to be a more loving and caring place so people don't think of aboution as an alternative. I think the church and the bishops need to do a bit more sifting and winnowing of ideas so the truth will be found

Published by: eleanor forman
las cruces,NM, U.S.A. 03/28/2009 10:35 PM EST

the Bishops of the USA,may critize Notre Dam U., for inviting our elected President to commencement, do they forget the fact, that as our president,
even though we may not all agree, with his plans, holds the highest office possible in this country. Personally, I feel very proud of NDU.

Published by: Mark M Hummel
Mpls, MN USA 03/28/2009 10:35 PM EST

What happened to sepeartion of church and state. Where do catholics come off thinking they are the final word on issues that pertain to indivduale rights.

Published by: Charlie
Brookhaven/MS/USA 03/28/2009 10:28 PM EST

I'm amazed that this point can even be questioned. Are the Holy Mother Church's positions on abortion and compromise with intrinsic evil not universally understood? Where is my bishop in condemning Fr. Jenkin's act of disobedience? Indeed, where are all the U.S. bishops who should be united in their outcry. Were it possible, through God's righteous justice Notre Dame would be stripped of the right and privilege of calling itself a "Catholic" university.

Published by: Sally
Katy, TX 03/28/2009 10:13 PM EST

This is disgraceful for the Cardinal to disrespect the President in this manner. Obama is the President. It's time Americans treat him with respect. I am very upset about the Cardinal's decision. The President has to tackle a lot of issues. I refuse to vote based on abortion alone. I wish the Cardinal will stop underestimating Americans. Unlike Cardinal DiNardo, I base my vote on more than one issue.

Published by: David E. Connolly, Jr.
new orleans louisiana 03/28/2009 09:58 PM EST

The willful association of any member of the church, being that all members are in communion, exposes all the other members. This being the case, worse yet than exposing the members of the one body would be the act of actually incorporating into the body of the church, and promoting to bishop someone as completely unbalanced as Williamson. The worshiping, invitation to, and gratuitous codification of Notre Dame's subjugation to Barrack Obama is a preview of the future, and assists one in understanding why Christ must come early, lest no one be saved.

Published by: Edward
United States 03/28/2009 09:43 PM EST

Funny how no one cared when the George Bush spoke at ND. No one whined when Reagan, who, like both Bushes, supported the death penalty, spoke at ND.

These Bishops need to think before speaking, concentrate on their own duties, and support the President of the United States. I am fairly confident that President Obama won't be responsible for nearly the loss of human life as our last President. It is this kind of small mindedness that gives our Church a bad name.

Published by: Helen Applegate
Kingwood, tx USA 03/28/2009 09:06 PM EST

Blessings on you our
dear Cardinal DiNardo
for speaking your
conscience and restoring our Faith. All Teachers in our
Catholic schools wil
thank you.

Published by: Susan
Canada 03/28/2009 08:56 PM EST

I am wondering why Bishop Olmsted is not removing Fr. Jenkins from his position at Notre Dame. I am sure I am not the only one who is puzzled by this and this is not the 1st time Fr.Jenkins has been disobedient to the church and to his bishop. Fr. Jenkins does NOT wield power over the church therefore I pray that the church remove him from this position and send him somewhere to be educated properly on Church canon and doctrine and perhaps he should take up reading the Bible and even study the Catechism..especially the commandments!

Published by: basementfrog
hayward 03/28/2009 08:56 PM EST

Let's all join Mr. Terry and end the hypocracy of the so-called "prolife movement" and show that it is really just an anti-abortion, anti-prochoice group of inhumane people.

Get you demonstration signs out and really support all life.

Let's start with "End the War, Now" signs and "Make the NRA Illegal" signs and "Stop all gun manufacturing" signs and "Ban all weapons" signs, and "Stop all military Funding" signs and "Soldiers are Murderer" signs and "Protect the Spotted Owl" signs and "Shut down all companies damaging God's creation" signs and "End all oil pipeline construction" signs.

Let us expand this prolife to a total ban on all life destroying practices movement and get real about protecting all life.

Published by: david
corinth, ny, usa 03/28/2009 08:40 PM EST

the us gov't and the catholic church will not in all circumstances be in accord. republicans have been more protective of the death penalty, democrats of abortion. either catholics will choose to agree to disagree, but work cooperatively toward a more just world, become a shill for one party or the other, or they will become withdrawn and disengaged. god bless you in your mission.

Published by: patch
Narrowsburg, NY 03/28/2009 08:38 PM EST

You're the Catholic News Agency.

Shouldn't it be Daniel Cardinal DiNardo?

Did you miss the class on protocol?

Published by: ADD
USA 03/28/2009 08:33 PM EST

You can argue with Obama's convictions all you want, but he does have a law degree, and has taught law. Maybe the bishops should consider they might be the ones who are wrong, not Notre Dame.

Published by: Anthony Tomeo
Richland PA 03/28/2009 08:30 PM EST

I wish that the Catholic Church did not become involved in politics. I keep losing my desire to participate because of it. Anthony Tomeo

Published by: Fred
Houston 03/28/2009 08:20 PM EST

I am not Catholic, but I agree with the Cardinal's assessment of The President AND Notre Dame.

Published by: Mungo
Maine 03/28/2009 08:11 PM EST

This is why Jesus chose not to be a Priest.

Published by: Jay Clark
Vienna, VA USA 03/28/2009 08:11 PM EST

Is this a joke?

A rabid Holocaust denier -- a man who closes his eyes to the death of millions -- is given the grace of "vigorous and heartfelt discussion, even debate, [that] needs to be placed in the arms of charity for effectiveness."

While the President of the United States is to be denied even a fraction of the same charity?

So we place President Obama's visit to Notre Dame in juxtaposition with a person who has given explicit comfort to the murderers of millions by essentially denying that there was murder at all. A "Bishop" is not just given the opportunity to speak, but actually welcomed back into the leadership fold of the Church?

Published by: James
Portland, OR, US 03/28/2009 08:11 PM EST

The Cardinal really needs to grow up and start living in the 21st Century. For crying out loud this dated 2nd Century mentality needs to dry up and go away.

Pathetic for a grown man!

Published by: don raihala
superior, wi USA 03/28/2009 08:07 PM EST

It is time for the Roman Catholic Church to shut off the money spicket to Universities like this. This defiant act truely shows the intent of those in charge there. Maybe Obama can provide some reasoning for the Catholic Church to accept unconditional abortion or else take away its tax exempt status. Maybe Notre Dame could offer Obama some honorary communion as a sign of compliance to his executive orders. It is time Cardinal George of Chicago to put on his ass kicking boots and go to town. God Bless all you Cardinals and Bishops that have spoken out against this Obamanation.

Published by: Anna Crist
Burnsville, N.C. 03/28/2009 08:05 PM EST

I am astounded at all the Christians who are condemning people. We are all Americans living in a DEMOCRACY which is what I feel President Obama is trying to get across. It is up to our God about choices people make as He will be our judge and not the lawmakers or bishops. If we are going to fight abortion then we should also fight divorce as we look at how many children are killed, abused, burned, you name it, all because of divorced parents. I would rather not be born than be born into a situation as so many of our children are now needing to bare.

Published by: Kyle Threlkeld
Dallas/Texas/United States 03/28/2009 08:04 PM EST

The worth of the human person from conception to death is inestimable---priceless indeed. Even if our President says otherwise, for he thus contradicts God Himself. Not a good place to be.

Published by: Bob
York PA USA 03/28/2009 08:03 PM EST

Those of us who protect the right of women to make their own decisions about their bodies do not promote abortion. We fundamentally disagree with the Catholic Church that the State should be used to promote a religious view that places the sanctity of a women's body, including my mother's, dauhter's and wife's in the hands of the State or male church leaders who have authority only by the choice of other men. Grow up, have some dignity, and allow the man to share his view of the world with our future leaders. If in the end you still disagree, so be it. Your views are not devine, they are of men, like mine.

Published by: cathlicker
festivusia 03/28/2009 08:00 PM EST

Single issue litmus tests are a good way of scaring off even more people from the faith. DiNardo shows us that Texas Catholics can be as judgmental, intolerant and self-righteous as their illiterate Bible-thumping protestant bretheren.

Published by: A Evangelisti
Houston Tx 03/28/2009 07:56 PM EST

Does Notre Dame think they are above the Pope and the American Bishops. This is a disgrace and my good feelings for ND is now diminshed. What a shame to honor someone who wants to kill babies.

Published by: Bob Malbon
Robbinsdale MN 03/28/2009 07:56 PM EST

I agree. I think Russ Limbaugh would be a much better choice.

Published by: J.D. Williams
New York 03/28/2009 07:55 PM EST

The Roman Catholic Church causes itself to be increasingly irrelevant with each passing day.

Published by: Ed
New York 03/28/2009 07:48 PM EST

First of all, President Obama does not "promote" abortion - he just doesn't want to make it illegal. He is on the record as stating that there are better ways to reduce abortion rates than thru the law, such as sex education and access to birth control.
Obviously, Fr.DiNardo's statements that "vigorous and heartfelt discussion, even debate, needs to be placed in the arms of charity for effectiveness" only matter when it's an issue he favors. To think he'd defend a pope (elected interestingly enough on Hitler's birthday), who was a member of the Hitler Youth, inviting back into the arms of the church a priest who has denied the Holocaust, says a lot about his personal character. All I can say is - he belongs in Texas.

Published by: jmn
usa 03/28/2009 07:46 PM EST

I can only imagine Jesus writing the pro-death sins of the state of Texas. Where was Cardinal Daniel DiNardo when prisoners were murdered?

Published by: JPP
Portland/Oregon/USA 03/28/2009 07:44 PM EST

Sure it's great to have the President speak at your commencement, and I'm sure he'll talk of the major issues confronting the US and the world today. I believe it's better to listen to those who have different opinions then to attempt to silence them.

Published by: David
louisiana 03/28/2009 07:35 PM EST

I completely agree with Cardinal DiNardo, on this issue. To allow Obama to speak at the commencement is tantamount to Notre Dame being hypocrite.

Published by: David Lucas
Tacoma, WA 03/28/2009 07:29 PM EST

And yet George Bush executed more Texas inmates than all his predecessors combined and the good Cardinal DiNardo couldn't finf his voice to protest? Every life is sacred, some are just more sacred than others. The hypocrisy is shameful. When the religious right puts as much energy into ending the death penalty and empting our system of foster children then let them talk about abortion with a straight face.

Published by: Yimin
Pittsburgh, Pa 03/28/2009 07:21 PM EST

Thank you Cardinal DiNardo for your courageous words. Leave it to a Pittsburgher to tell it like it is!!

Published by: Mario
WA 03/28/2009 07:21 PM EST

I completely agree that Obama should not speak. That speech is supposed to be made by a man who the students may look up to, and having the speech given in a Catholic university by a man who supports abortion in every way possible, which is against Catholicism, is wrong.

Published by: Rod Bruce
Greenup, KY 03/28/2009 07:12 PM EST

President Obama has taken on the mantle of George Wallace and I can hear the president echo:

Abortion Today!
Abortion Tomorrow! Abortion Always!

Published by: Bob Betterton
Pittsford, NY 03/28/2009 07:12 PM EST

The Cardinal should take a vow of silence and stop embarrassing himself and all church-going, practicing, thinking Catholics like me. Like most of the hierarchy, he just doesn't get it and his opinion is irrelevant.

Published by: UncommonKnowledge
denver, co, usa 03/28/2009 07:11 PM EST

It is appalling to me that Catholic church condones war yet opposes abortion. Bullets stop a beating heart too ! The church also argues against credibility of science, yet cites scientific facts to support its abortion position.

Published by: sam
chicago, IL, US 03/28/2009 07:07 PM EST

Dear Cardinal DiNardo:

You criticize the president for his stand on abortion, which is a crime against the unborn, but you remain silent and actively hide from public scrutiny hundreds of child molesters who've ruined the lives of perhaps thousands of children. Why are you so active in protecting the unborn but not in defending the already born? Where were you when the church was relocating known pedophiles to unsuspecting communities? Why have you been so reluctant to cooperate with police departments nationwide to help them investigate those cases? Stop the hypocrisy and double morals, then I will listen to what you have to say.

Published by: Truth
Beverly Hills, CA USA 03/28/2009 07:06 PM EST

DiNardo... Another Catholic hypocrite. How can the church that defends and hides child molesters object to our President speaking truthfully and intelligently to our young people and next generation... Does that make any sense to anyone out there?

Published by: Patricia
Sonoma, CA USA 03/28/2009 07:05 PM EST

I AM SO HAPPY TO READ THAT SOME OF THE CATHOLIC LEADERS REMEMBER WHAT LEADERSHIP AND CONSISTANT MORAL STANDARDS ARE .

Published by: Tim Haugen
Trinidad CO USA 03/28/2009 07:00 PM EST

Between the bloviating bishops and cardinals regarding the Notre Dame invite and the pope's demonstrably ignorant comments regarding the efficacy of condoms against AIDS, all I can say is, "thank God I'm not catholic!" If I were, I'd quit.

Published by: Ben Wilson
Spring, Texas, USA 03/28/2009 06:50 PM EST

We have a fine law in this country. It's that the Government will not establish a national church. It has been held that the Government may not intrude in the church and very specifically that churches may not play with politics. Perhaps Cardinal DiNardo needs to understand that it wouldn't be a "good" thing if his church was taxed out of existance?

Published by: joe
st.marys,kansas,USA 03/28/2009 06:50 PM EST

this is good that catholic leaders say what ALL Catholics should know.

Published by: Don Hangartner
Van Wert, Ohio 03/28/2009 06:49 PM EST

"Promote" is his term, not that of the President. With all the "dumb" things the Catholic church has done over past centuries, they should not be throwing stones.

Published by: Jack Morrison
Costa Mesa,CA, USA 03/28/2009 06:49 PM EST

It's too bad that these people of the cloth are so narrow minded that they don't see our President as a whole person. Even if I disagreed with President Obama, Iwould certainly recognise his positive aspects.

Published by: tommie
boston/ma/usa 03/28/2009 06:45 PM EST

i'm a catholic and have conservative elements to my identity...but to say that obama is "promoting" abortion is just off the mark. it's a delicate, nuanced issue (hence the creation of the whole 'trimester' system for example) and to use plainly wrong/misleading/inflammatory language just isn't helpful. i was raised in part by my jesuit uncle who taught me that beliefs must be interrogated intellectually and expressed with clarity. this guy is simply further killing off the quickly dying remnants of the idea of the catholic as thinker and instead grouping the catholic with simple fundamentalist blowhards by example. sigh.

Published by: Helen Carvell
Austin TX 03/28/2009 06:35 PM EST

The obstinancy of the bishops to see only the issue of abortion and not the issues of social justice is mind boggling. Due to their support for G. Bush in 2000 and 2004, many human beings died, some from lack of medical care, others from war and malnutrition and still they beat their abortion drum. As a life long Catholic with 17 years of Catholic education, I decry their tunnel vision and blindness to reality. Provide decent health care and women will not be seeking abortions. The law does not determine practice. Abortions were illegal in 1964-6 and just as often performed in hospitals for the rich and in back rooms for the poor. As a nurse woking in NY then I know that for a fact. Prevention is the only cure.
I currently do not support the Church financially and will not until there is a Reformation. It is past due. Bishops, an ananchronism in their own time.

Published by: Michael &Debbie Porretta
Niantic CT 03/28/2009 06:24 PM EST

it is a total sin to let this man speak at Notre Dame this most holy place of learning for the Catholic world we ask youdo not let this man speak there we where thinking of sending are son there but he will not if (OBAMA) speaks there my mother and father would br rolling in there graves if they heard this both of a very highly Catholic backround like my wife and I am

Published by: Boris Majenski
dallas texas usa 03/28/2009 06:17 PM EST

The Catholic church promotes pedophilia and AIDs. Who needs them?

Published by: Robin Soper
Fraser, Colorad 03/28/2009 06:17 PM EST

Disappointed in this response from the Bishops, I am sorry to say my respect for the church is diminished. President Obama is determined to minimize the number of abortions while it is clear the Catholic Bishops are totally out of touch with reality. Hopefully, the church will continue its decline or reform.

Published by: Steve Brockman
St.Louis, Mo. USA 03/28/2009 06:10 PM EST

I am a born again Christian and I support the action of the
Bishops. Giving a forum to President Obama at Notre Dame is unwise. He will most likely use discretion, but can you imagine if he uses the opportunity to promote Planned Parenthood during the commencement!!

Published by: Gary
South Pasadena CA USA 03/28/2009 06:09 PM EST

Why go to Afghanistan to fight the Taliban, we seem to have one right here?

Published by: Peter Neva
Tucson, AZ, USA 03/28/2009 06:09 PM EST

President Bush killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis in an evil war of aggression and hundreds of Texans through the death penalty. Yet the news was all about denying John Kerry communion. Now criticism of Obama's abortion views comes to the forefront, yet I don't recall much criticism of the detainee torture policies of the Federal Government. Do I smell political bias? I REFUSED confirmation as a teenager due to the church's growing immorality (through choosing sides) and its greater concern for worldly power and influence than spiritual matters. If the church were to take God's side instead of the Republican side, perhaps the decline in number of parishoners would halt.

Published by: Larry-T
Montgomery Village, MD 03/28/2009 06:08 PM EST

So a Texas cardinal takes an opportunity to oppose Obama. This is news?

The Church is so out ot touch with reality it's not even funny, just pathetic.

Published by: JustinMcC
Carlsbad/CA/USA 03/28/2009 06:07 PM EST

Additionally...I guess supporting an administration that has effectively waged a war of near genocide on the Iraqi culture, with untold numbers of casualties to advance the economic/geopolitical ambitions of a greedy former administration...is the Catholic way, yes? Abortion/premarital sex aren't the only teachings of Christ. Clergy like DiNardo lose the forest for the trees. The Catholic Church needs to distance themselves from right wing politics, not embrace them.

Published by: Arthur Flores
Las Cruces, NM USA 03/28/2009 06:05 PM EST

I find the words of these priests entirely offensive. The Catholic Church has lived with lies all these centuries. I bet they would like to burn the dissidents at the stake like they did in olden times.

Published by: Anne
FL. USA 03/28/2009 06:05 PM EST

There is absolutely nothing wrong with President Obama giving the commencement speech at Notre Dame or any other college/university. President Obama is a Christian, but not a Catholic.

He is not pro-abortion, no one is PRO-abortion.

He is, however, the President and as such is President of the whole country.

Abortion should not be a political nor governmental issue, if only because major religions have different historical teachings on it - and the U.S was founded on religious freedom.

To chastise a man simply because he does not practice the same religious faith as you not only shows a lack of knowledge about the premises on which this country was founded, it is completely, unequivocally un-Christian.

I am a Catholic and believe that life begins at birth. I am also an American. And as a Christian I respect those who hold different religeous beliefs, just as I expect them to respect mine.

Published by: John Wooding
Las Vegas NV USA 03/28/2009 06:05 PM EST

It is long past time for Catholics to move beyond "one issue" decision-making. The University of Notre Dame, from which our children graduated, recognizes that its role is to be a forum of ideas, whether those ideas conform to our tradition or not.
Congratulations to Notre Dame for continuing the great political conversations of our day by honoring President Obama, a man who has shattered the "racial ceiling" by attaining our country's highest office.

Published by: Angelo D. Izzo
San Mateo, CA. USA 03/28/2009 06:04 PM EST

I'm sure the good Cardinal DiNardo would not have objected to have former President Bush to speak at Notre Dame even though he was and is directly responsible for the death of 1,000s of Iraqi citizens, Americans and allied forces in Iraq. Catholics, particularly the clergy need to get to the 21st Century with their religion or lose it! What hypocrites in the Roman Catholic Church! Come on, get out of the darkness and go to the light!

Published by: Stephen Armiger
Dillon/Montana/USA 03/28/2009 06:03 PM EST

The Catholic Church protects pedofiles, condemns condom use to prevent the spread of disease and excommunicates a doctors who perform an abortion on a nine year old impregnated by her stepfather. The body of christ is riddled with the cancer of pedophilia, the virus of ignorance and the bacillis of rigidity. Truly rigor mortis has set in.

Published by: JustinMcC
Carlsbad/CA/USA 03/28/2009 05:59 PM EST

I come from an extended Roman Catholic family from the Boston area. I am a confirmed Catholic as are the rest of my family. My parents went to Catholic schools with the nuns, etc. I have Masters degrees from DePaul and Loyola in Chicago. My father has his doctorate from ND.

I married a Greek Orthodox wife 10 years ago and chose to raise my 3 children Christian Orthodox instead of Catholic because of the right wing element in the Catholic Church and the refusal of clergy to keep politics out of the secular.

People like DiNardo are doing my religion a DISSERVICE by weighing in. It is narrow minded clergy such as himself that will be the downfall of the Catholic church.

Published by: Dolores E Reed
Linden, NJ USA 03/28/2009 05:52 PM EST

Well isn't this just something for Cardinal DiNardo to say. He should be focusing on sexual abuse to children within the Catholic churches.

Published by: Hank
Lindale, TX USA 03/28/2009 05:51 PM EST

These are the same breed of idiots who say condoms will not fight HIV in Africa... Where do they get these people?

Published by: Neil
Miami, FL 03/28/2009 05:47 PM EST

It strikes me as unforgivably arrogant and hypocritical that nothing on par with this current level of episcopal outrage over the Obama invitation ever surfaced after the discovery of that other, ever more heinous, "act of violence against the human person", namely the rape of children under the ministry of priests throughout Boston and the rest of the country.

Published by: pat
orland park,IL 03/28/2009 05:45 PM EST

For people who don't pay one penny in taxes these Cardinals ,Bishops and Priest have an awfal lot to say I think they should keep the moyths shut until they are on the Tax rolls

Published by: Jack
Los Angeles 03/28/2009 05:44 PM EST

The Cardinal doesn't want anyone who doesn't believe in "...the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death..." to speak at Notre Dame? Guess he'd be just as opposed to a President that started a war on lies and deception that needlessly killed over 4,000 US soldiers, too. And - for that matter - all those who support the death penalty. Or any member of a church or faith that ever burned witches or molested children. Guess just about nobody on planet Earth could live up to the Cardinal's high standards, not even him. What a phony.

Published by: Wilfred J. Cayer
Middletown, RI 02842 03/28/2009 05:38 PM EST

President Obama has no place at this Pro-Life college. Or at least they should be.

Published by: Joseph Runde
Hartford, CT, United States 03/28/2009 05:36 PM EST

Cardinal DiNardo needs to learn that there are many issues on which Americans vote and that the church needs to stay out of politics just as we recently told our politicians to stay out of church business.

As a Notre Dame alumnus, I am proud that they have invited President Obama to speak.

Published by: W Opera
dayona beach fl 03/28/2009 05:35 PM EST

Perhaps Sara Palin could sup for the President.

Published by: Kent
Florida 03/28/2009 05:35 PM EST

And I suppose the Cardinal, following his logic, will mouth off about any catholic clergy (Himself included) speaking at secular functions?

The Holy Roman Catholic Church should now be taxed by the IRS as the pseudo-political organization it has become.

Published by: Mary
WA 03/28/2009 05:34 PM EST

He voted 3 times against the Infant Born Alive Protection Act, and Notre Dame, named for the Mother of Jesus, who is our Mother too, is bestowing an honorary degree on President Obama? The University does not anymore deserve to bear that name.

Published by: FraterSODDI
Atlanta GA 03/28/2009 05:33 PM EST

I suspect that the Cardinal would not treat a white President the same way.

Published by: ken huck
snohomish/WA/USA 03/28/2009 05:30 PM EST

Cardinal: where is your outrage over the unjust, immoral war (hit your theology books) that our previous president took our nation into? Speak up, for Christ's sake!

Published by: NANCY EASTO
OAK CREEK WI, USA 03/28/2009 05:26 PM EST

I AM ASHAMED FOR NOTRE DAME. THEIR CHOICE INDICATES A TOTAL LACK OF WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE. GOD HELP THEM.

Published by: Linda Sierra DDS
Houston, Texas 03/28/2009 05:11 PM EST

Thankyou Cardinal DiNardo for being a light shining in the darkness and speaking the truth that all the world may hear! God Bless You!

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