Archbishop Dolan not told Fordham would honor pro-abortion mayor

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Archbishop Timothy Dolan

New York City, N.Y., May 21, 2009 / 03:02 am (CNA).- Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan has said that Fordham University did not inform him that pro-abortion rights Mayor Michael Bloomberg would speak at the Catholic school’s commencement and receive an honorary degree.

Fordham University President Fr. Joseph McShane, SJ, in his address to Fordham graduates, singled out Mayor Bloomberg and television commentator Tom Brokaw for “special mention,” acknowledging the mayor first.

“Last week I heard the Mayor speak at a Jesuit fund-raising event in Manhattan,” Fr. McShane said. “In the course of his typically gracious remarks, he noted wistfully that he had not had the benefit of a Jesuit education. Mr. Bloomberg, this is your lucky day: you are now a Fordham graduate and thus a member of the Jesuit family!”

Pro-abortion rights Sen. Charles Schumer also spoke at Fordham Law’s graduation on Sunday, also unbeknownst to the archbishop, the New York Post reports. Archbishop Dolan had criticized the University of Notre Dame for inviting President Barack Obama to be commencement speaker and to receive an honorary degree.

According to the New York Post, the archbishop’s spokesman Joseph Zwilling wrote in an e-mail that Archbishop Dolan was unaware that Mayor Bloomberg was speaking or getting a degree at Fordham.

Zwilling also did not know about Sen. Schumer.

Last fall, the now-retired Edward Cardinal Egan had criticized Fordham for giving the pro-abortion rights Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer an ethics award.

Fordham said its hosting of speakers from “across the political spectrum” points to “a vibrant culture of engagement with the real world, rather than an insufficiency of Catholic teaching.”

“The quality of a Catholic education at the university can't be measured by trying to parse the positions of speakers or honorees in relation to church teachings,” Fordham added.

Comments: 30

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe 07/22/2009 12:08 PM EST

Just a thought---Fordham gives a 'quality' education---thats not the point. Christ dined and taught sinners He did not confer honors on them. This is a distinction better seen by the 'child' rather than the 'openminded'. Jesus knows all and is the judge, thankfully.

Published by: Devil's Advocate
The Bronx, NY 07/02/2009 12:57 PM EST

Perhaps Fordham should have denied Bloomberg a degree because he is jewish... and therefore doesn't believe in the divinity of Christ? That is, to my mind, a far more essential Catholic belief than political positions on abortion.

The dialogue here is a farce. Firstly, Fordham is a Jesuit University and therefore does not answer to the Archdiocese of New York, nor the Bishop. Secondly, any Bishop so meddling in higher education ought to be ashamed of his parochialism and unchristian behavior. Not dialoguing with people who hold different positions, opinions and beliefs than we hold is to incite hatred, discrimination and factionalism. Christ broke bread with tax collectors and sinners of every cast ... AND he told his followers to honor Caesar in his way.

I think the Catholic Church and Community needs to reflect deeply on the truth and ends of our mission and role in the world. The Universities and Colleges of the Catholic tradition are the greatest cultural asset of the Church ... the hierarchy should follow their lead.

Published by: D Paul
st. louis/mo/usa 06/18/2009 05:41 PM EST

I visited Fordham in late March (like Ft. Apache the Bronx). Several years ago, I visited the campus and was taking pictures. I was accused by three security officers of desicrating the cemetary by taking nude pictures of myself alone somehow and trying to sell them to Playboy Magazine. I was then accused a being a front for a terrorist group and taking pictures to map out targets on campus. I am a Navy veteran and a Vince Lombardi fan. I was on campus to take in the historical perspective. The entire experience was extremely bizarre to say the least. I later attended a basketball game between Fordham and Boston University. Security on campus is mostly manned by African Muslims. This makes the entire episode more like the "inmates are running the assylum". I was taken aback by the entire episode. I have consistently visited the athletic area and have noted various plaques to strong minded individuals who served and died for their country.

Published by: openmind
New York 06/03/2009 01:39 PM EST

As a proud alumna of Fordham University, I applaud Fr. McShane for showing that universities (Catholic or not) are spaces for intellectual, religious and social discourse and discovery. The Jesuit ideal of becoming a man or woman for others makes no mention of doing so for Catholics only. I cherished the dogma-free zone of a Jesuit education and am certain my Jewish, Protestant and Buddhist classmates did as well.

Published by: Frank Chow
Vancouver, BC, Canada 05/23/2009 09:14 PM EST

Fordham University's mission statement states: "The University encourages the growth of a life of faith consonant with moral and intellectual development." I'm afraid that this honorary degree, like previous honors conferred by Fordham on pro-abortion public figures, will do just the opposite.

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 05/22/2009 03:12 PM EST

Can someone analyze what Fordham's response means in the CNA piece? (There is no name or department given to identify the sender.)

The CNA posts this response:

QUOTE:
Fordham said its hosting of speakers from "across the political spectrum" points to "a vibrant culture of engagement with the real world, rather than an insufficiency of Catholic teaching."

"The quality of a Catholic education at the university can't be measured by trying to parse the positions of speakers or honorees in relation to church teachings,"

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 05/22/2009 03:06 PM EST

It is no longer considered unusual for colleges and universities to invite and honor (without permission) virulent anti-life men and women, whether they identify themselves as Catholic or Other. Small colleges do not make the headlines. Notre Dame has never been placed in the same category with Jesuit institutions. Notre Dame has proudly proclaimed its authentic Catholic identity. Jesuit institutions, on the other hand, do not. For many faculty and students, Jesuit identity is prior to Catholic identity. The one need not include the other.
The principles of Ex corde ecclesiae have been shelved. Boards of Trustees at these universities with their ad hoc members bear a large part of the blame.

Published by: Luciano Miceli
Brookfield 05/22/2009 01:11 AM EST

We should all pray in earnest for our Bishops that they may receive the strength to deal with all the undermining of the faith visited on us by the so called elite intellectual who play fast and loose with our faith lives. These people need real tough love and be put in their place. For the sake of the flock a courageous Bishop must come down hard on a university under his jurisdiction like putting their status as a Catholic university at stake for he as a Bishop has a duty as our spiritual father to protect the little ones from such scandal. Our prayers should be long term and may need to include fasting for when he acts to set things straight the powers that be will try to break him just like when Pope Paul VI came out with Humane Vite the assault on him was swift, mean spirited and vitriolic. I remember it very well. Our prayers should start now and not after the fact.

Published by: Niles
San Francisco, CA 05/22/2009 12:39 AM EST

We need more courageous Catholic academic leaders such as Fr Jenkins of Notre Dame,
Fr McShane of Fordham & Pat
McGuire of Trinity in WA DC.
US bishops did not display ever a hint
of leadership re: the lingering
clergy sex-abuse scandal,
so clearly the vast majority
of Catholics (unless they are
of the "vigilante" sort as described by Pres McGuire of Trinity) can't take the seriously as to whom should or
should not speak at a Catholic Univ, or which politician may or may not rec'v Holy Communion.
+Saint Rita, pray for us.

Published by: Anita
Florida,USA 05/21/2009 08:36 PM EST

Fordham president had no right to not inform the rchbishop of what he was doing. He knows that it is against the Catholic to honor anyone who is pro-abortion.

Published by: Frankly Speaking
Phoenix 05/21/2009 04:25 PM EST

Again, it's the Jesuits. No where even near "almost Catholic".

Published by: Dr. Guy DiSpigno
Chicago, Illinois 05/21/2009 03:04 PM EST

Why is it that we do not hear of "Catholic" Universities inviting Catholic leaders like Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts or Govenor Bobby Jindal to give a commencement addresses or receive an honorary degree? It seems many Catholic University Presidents are more in line with the DOCTRINE of the DNC than Holy See.

Published by: Dr. C. L.
Fresno, CA, USA 05/21/2009 02:49 PM EST

Where are the Bishops???

I cannot believe this!

Published by: Roy S. Tenn
Miami, Florida 05/21/2009 02:20 PM EST

The president of Fordham Universiry is no better than the president of Notre Dame University in honoring these liberal pro-choice polititions.

Any wonder the Jesuits are no longer considered loyal disciples of Christ and have lost their credibility.

Published by: Robert Matzinger
Taylor/Michigan/USA 05/21/2009 01:59 PM EST

Fordham can dance around it all they choose: they simply have decided it is perfectly appropriate to honor and award abortionists! Notre Dame did the same! Apparently major Cathoil universities have decided that it is perfectly acceptable and somehow today in line with Catholic beliefs to reward those who honor the killing of the unborn! How did we Catholics get to the point where we "chose" this to take place? What has hapened to us and our belief in the Church and our churches most fundamnetl belief in the sanctity of life? Our Holy Mother is surely weeping over our demise!

Published by: Stephen G. Davis Sr.
Severna Park, MD. USA 05/21/2009 01:33 PM EST

I find it impossible that the Jesuits cannot take the time to do a little homework and find a person who respesents the Truth and honor him/her. They should find a good practicing Roman Catholic who can address their graduating classes. With over 1Billion Roman catholics in teh World they should be able to do this for teh next 1oo years. Maybe if they would hold true to the Churches teachings and influence their graduates and teh World we would have more people who would be worth inviting to speak about God's truth.

Remember, when you all were Confirmed in the Holy Spirit you were called to defend the faith!

Steve

Published by: Ann Marie
Bedford, NH 05/21/2009 01:01 PM EST

As a Catholic mom of 3, I will not send my children to any Catholic college/school that defies Church teachings. So I'll mark Fordham off of my list. I have 2 in High school right now.
Inviting pro-abortion speakers is like inviting a pro-KKK speaker. Would they do that? Of course not, they'd realize just how wrong it would be.

Published by: Sandra M LeDuc
Hampden, MA USA 05/21/2009 12:38 PM EST

"satan has entered the sanctuary" Pope Pius XI. What are you going to say to God when He asks you why are you killing me again. Fordham, Notre Dame, and any Catholic educational institution that does not stand for the truth is hypocritical. "Forgive them Father for they don't know what they do."

Published by: bjcass
mooresville,nc 05/21/2009 12:34 PM EST

As a graduate of the Fordham class of 1959 [FCO],I will not be celebrating at our 50th Anniversary.I am deeply indebted to the Jesuits of my era who spoke firmly and forcefully to the meaning of being Catholic.It did not include denying reality and holding as role models those in the community who would dismiss and deny the rights and the very life of the most innocent.Fordham is a bastion of secular humanism and it saddens me.The teachings of our Church don`t have to be parsed.They do have to be respected,and above all,they must be lived even when that is inconvenient or makes others uncomfortable. uncomfortable.

Published by: James & Anne Maher
Ireland 05/21/2009 12:05 PM EST

Shame, shame, shame, Fordham!

Do you know that the whole world is watching to see how Christian and Catholic-minded Americans will respond to the liberal, secular, relativistic agenda?

As Archbishop Chaput said "Stand up and be counted!"

Never was it so important that Catholics be united and if leaders, like Fordham, do not set the example.....

Published by: Marie
St. Francisville, LA 05/21/2009 11:06 AM EST

Fordham and Notre Dame are not authentically Catholic institutions. The boards of these so-called "Catholic" universities, don't answer to any Bishop.

Read the astounding statement by Fordham, which proves it's lack of respect for Catholic teaching. Fordham said its hosting of speakers from "across the political spectrum" points to "a vibrant culture of engagement with the real world, rather than an insufficiency of Catholic teaching." What other proof is needed that Fordham is not really Catholic?

Parents, please be aware of the real nature of these institutions before you support your child's attending them. His or her eternal salvation may depend on it.

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 05/21/2009 10:44 AM EST

Fordham would do a better job of Catholic education if only it knew what it was talking about.

Published by: GFM
St. Louis, MO 05/21/2009 08:56 AM EST

I find it hard to believe that Dolan did not know given how such events and speakers are posted on university websites. Who is minding the store in the New York archdiocese. I can't imagine that Archbishop Chaput of Denver would claim such ignorance about who is appearing at Regis.

Published by: James Yates
Chicago, IL 05/21/2009 08:42 AM EST

What, dear friends at Fordham, would you like us to look at to measure the quality of a Catholic education? Unfortunately, I'm afraid the answer would be the number of hours their students spend doing community service hours. So, rather than reducing the quality of a Catholic education to the policies they honor, we'll reduce it to simple activism...

What we say, what we do, who we HONOR, they're all important.

Published by: stella trevino
United States 05/21/2009 08:18 AM EST

When? Oh When? Will we be rid of this cursed spot? If Fr. Jenkins is willing to "dialogue" with Obama and the other side, Why on God's green earth will he not dialogue with the very students under his charge? It is incredible. Will Notre Dame also hide Jesus under the table as Georgetown did? My stomach turns over all this denial all that I was taught Catholic universities stood for.

Published by: annette cwik
the villages, fl USA 05/21/2009 08:17 AM EST

aren't we catholics lucky? now we've got bishop "i didn't know" and "what's google" in charge. also he never heard of the cardinal newman society that keeps track of these things. give me a brake. hello bishop "i,m a jolly good fellow".

Published by: stella trevino
United States 05/21/2009 08:17 AM EST

What? Oh What has hsppended to the Jesuits? I would not put it past rebellious leaders of some to neglect notifying bishops they know will ask them not to honor pro abortion speakers. And when? Oh when, will the bishops have the courage to strip these recalcitrant universitities of their "catholic" designation? Let them go the way of the world. Let them answer to God for the many souls of the young people they are leading astray. Let those who truly want to walk the way of the Cross do so, small in number tho' we may be.

Published by: Dave in Houston
Houston, TX, USA 05/21/2009 07:27 AM EST

Maybe the pro life issue is not really as big or as important as many of us Catholics thought it was. Having the right commencement speaker seems to a much bigger issue.

Published by: Joyce Fountaine
Long Pond TWP, ME, USA 05/21/2009 06:41 AM EST

e, the quality of a Catholic education at the university can be measured by trying to parse the positions of speakers of honorees in relation the church teachings. Look at the Catholic politicians who are openly contradicting the Church teachings. They came from liberal Catholic background and are destroying the Church from within as are our Catholic Schools. There are plenty of important people who are faithful to the teachings that the university should be promoting. They should not be giving a platform to the ones who choose to define their Catholicism according to their way of thinking.

Published by: Old School
Sgeboygan, WI 05/21/2009 06:10 AM EST

Archbishop Dolan should have learned that you can't trust Jesuits during his tenure in Milwaukee with Marquette. He should have sent the Marquette Jesuits packing.

Bishops would be proactive on this issue by now.

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