Notre Dame donor protest announces $14 million withheld

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Meeting with a group of disadvantaged young people of the rehabilitation community of the University of Notre Dame in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Sydney
Vespers Address to Priests, Seminarians, and Deacons at Notre Dame
Address of the Holy Father on the Blessing of the Cornerstone of Madaba University of the Latin Patriarchate
Eucharist is an Invitation from Jesus

South Bend, Ind., May 14, 2009 / 01:19 am (CNA).- Organizers of a group asking alumni and donors to withhold donations to the University of Notre Dame following its controversial commencement invitation to President Barack Obama claim to have confirmed nearly $14 million in donations have been withheld by those concerned about the university’s Catholic identity.

The group, ReplaceJenkins.com, said it had received over 1,400 pledges from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations.

ReplaceJenkins.com was launched by alumni and financial supporters of the university who said they would withhold their contributions until Rev. Jenkins is replaced by someone who "is committed to the authentic identity of Notre Dame, grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church."

Group spokesman David DiFranco, a 1995 graduate of Notre Dame, said the donors were "at least loosely aware" of what he called the university’s "trend away from its Catholic identity."

"But the invitation of President Obama to speak and to receive an honorary degree, combined with the weak responses presented by Father Jenkins as a defense to those who have criticized the decision, is what drives most alumni to our site," he said.

Fr. Jenkins’ action brought national attention to a problem "decades in the making," DiFranco said.

"A shrinking percentage of Catholic faculty and the efforts of secular-minded board members has long been eroding the Catholic heritage and foundation that makes Notre Dame great. President Obama’s invitation represents the culminating scandal in this trend."

DiFranco said nearly all alumni who had contacted ReplaceJenkins.com had already decided to cease supporting the school.

"Our website merely tallies the sum of their collective decision," he said.

Comments: 24

Subscriber comments:

Published by: sailor
pittsburgh pa. 07/06/2009 10:52 AM EST

I heard from a gentleman who's son is a doctor who donates alot of money to the university told them he will no longer be donating due to obama speaking. He also said that obama did cover up the religious statues !!! sound like anti-christ to me.

Published by: Alice
PA 05/21/2009 06:31 AM EST

NDU should be put under interdiction (meaning NO ONE associated with NDU is allowed to receive the sacraments or be buried in a Catholic cemetery) until the degree is rescinded and Father Jenkins is removed. The peer pressure this would cause might just do the job.

Published by: Rose
Salt Lake City, UT 05/19/2009 03:13 PM EST

Mike in Dayton - I wish I were a contributor because I would truly RELISH withholding any more money. There are plenty of good, orthodox organizations that would welcome your dollars! God Bless!

Published by: William
Bloomfield, Mo 05/17/2009 08:10 PM EST

Just another attack by athiestic and communist idiology against what is right. Children are a gift of God and humanity defiles that gift by allowing abortion. Any faith-based college should be ashamed by allowing such a pro-abortion president to speak.

Published by: a. in philly
phila., PA, USA 05/17/2009 05:30 PM EST

How sad that catholic neocons have hijacked this commencement. The timing of this controversy, the fact that GOP presidents have been similarly honored without so much as a shudder(subjecting kids to cluster bombs is part of God's plan, I guess) suggest that this dust-up is purely political. The GOP lost, people, deal with it.

Published by: don danielson
walla walla, wa,usa 05/17/2009 11:09 AM EST

Abortion is the issue that will define us as a society in history. Noone will remember Obama, but we will be judged not only by God, but by future societies for this grave and heinous sin. For a major Catholic University to not be able to comprehend this fact is unbelievable.

Published by: Ann
Marietta, GA 05/17/2009 10:04 AM EST

Is Obama worth 14 million? Thank you alumni for standing up for what you believe.

Published by: BrianC
West Allis, WI 05/17/2009 07:43 AM EST

This makes me wish I were an ND alumni. It would be fun to be a big time donor and call up Father and say guess what that multi million dollar donation I was gone to give I gave to someone else sorry

Published by: aman
IL 05/17/2009 07:38 AM EST

I'm support this protest. This prez is not deserved by Catholic in any way. He is not just kill babies but also slap teh catholic in the face in George Town University by cover all Jesus sign.

Published by: Brian
NY/NY/USA 05/16/2009 04:30 PM EST

Yeah Susan you're right it's not easy disinviting a guest, in fact some may say its down right rude, but when you consider the fact that your invited guest is the guy responsible for authorizing the funding of abortions all around the world, I'd have to say being a little "rude" is A-OK.

Published by: Mike
Brazil 05/16/2009 11:04 AM EST

Perhaps Obama will walk on water - and all will be forgotten.

Published by: Danny
Littleton/Co/USA 05/16/2009 05:09 AM EST

Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple, I wonder if he would drive Obama out of Notre Dame?

Published by: John Crimi
CAlifornia 05/15/2009 05:24 PM EST

This another step toward a secular society and the pity is that a great cathoilic university is joing in - FOR SHAME

Published by: Steve
Miami 05/15/2009 11:34 AM EST

it is a breath of fresh air to see Roman Catholics make a stand.
It is time Roman Catholics show their mettle.

Published by: Mike
Dayton 05/15/2009 07:26 AM EST

Rate: Excellent

I am an alumni going through the heartbreaking decision on whether to continue my annual contribution. When I discussed with my son and noted that this will mean no more football ticket eligibility he said, "There are some things more important than football." Out of the mouths of babes. I wish the university saw things as clearly.

Published by: James Chang
Lahore 05/15/2009 12:05 AM EST

The ND has invited obamy and obaama so that this institution looses it identity.

Published by: Rachel
Calif 05/14/2009 07:48 PM EST

To the ND alumni---Great Job!! Keep it Up and stand up for your beliefs and principles!!

Published by: Chris
Baton Rouge, LA USA 05/14/2009 04:07 PM EST

It's obvious that the invitation to the "Obamessiah" can no longer be rescinded. However, Fr. Jenkins can still realize that he has done great damage to ND and step down. It' is what a real man would do to save what little dignity he has left.

Published by: jimmy
Paulding/Oh/USA 05/14/2009 04:06 PM EST

Fr.J may not know of the abortion promoting PRES. honest mistake sorry don't come to my house. Watch OB last commencement speech and you judge if he does not support non individualism.

Published by: Patrick
Boardman/OH/USA 05/14/2009 03:44 PM EST

Wonderful! If enough of the ND funding is withheld or eliminated, maybe the university could decline to second class status. Let's see, somehow that will do a lot of good for Catholic causes???

Published by: Joni
Chicago, IL USA 05/14/2009 02:29 PM EST

Notre Dame markets itself as "a different kind of law school." At commencement, ND proudly proclaims they do not have statues of policitians in their law school, but choose to display religious figures throughout the school. They encourage graduates to practice their faith by the very way they choose to live their lives...by example. It is heartbreaking to see ND disregard the very lesson they claim to teach students - "lead by example." ND is bestowing an honory degree on our president, who does not honor and respect life. So yes, I think Fr. Jenkins should rescind the invitation and honory degree. And, I think President Obama should respect our faith and step aside.

Published by: Mary
Beaumont, CA USA 05/14/2009 12:43 PM EST

As a Catholic, I am proud of the alumni. It is time for Catholics to stand up for our beliefs even if they are not popular with some of the population.

Published by: Lisa D.
Lincroft/NJ/USA 05/14/2009 12:37 PM EST

I send out a big "THANK YOU" to all the ND alumni, donors, endowers, etc. who are taking a stand and refusing to donate their hard-earned money. I myself received my undergraduate degree from a Catholic university, Villanova, and I donate heavily to my alma mater. If Villanova pulled this stunt, they wouldn't see another cent from me. You have to stick to your morals and religious beliefs and if you start to waiver, you will lose your core. That is what is happening to this once great country.

Published by: susan
pittsburgh, pa, USA 05/14/2009 09:35 AM EST

I just don't see what Fr. J can do - can he say "um, Mr. President, never mind, you're not invited any more?" Not criticizing, just curious.

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