Apr 17, 2009 / 04:35 am
A coalition of alumni and financial supporters of the University of Notre Dame have launched an effort to withhold donations until university president Rev. John Jenkins, CSC, is replaced. The coalition claimed Fr. Jenkins’ decision to honor President Barack Obama and “other regrettable decisions over the years” showed his judgment to be questionable.
The coalition has launched a website, www.replacejenkins.com, to urge supporters to withhold contributions to the Notre Dame General Fund until President Jenkins is replaced with someone who is “committed to the authentic identity of Notre Dame, grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church.”
Joe DiFranco, ND Class of 1957 and coalition representative, explained the effort in a statement:
“Although we love Notre Dame, our conscience requires that we withhold all financial support from our University until such time as Father Jenkins is replaced as Notre Dame’s President with someone who will be more loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church. His decision to honor President Obama, together with other regrettable decisions over the years, calls into question Father Jenkins’ judgment and leadership.”
He described the intiative as “the voice of thousands of Notre Dame supporters who are outraged by the decision to honor President Obama, and have no other recourse other than to stop donating.”