Ten Holy Cross priests write in objection to Notre Dame Obama invite

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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., Apr 9, 2009 / 03:16 am (CNA).- A letter from ten priests of the Congregation of the Holy Cross has been published in the University of Notre Dame’s student newspaper objecting to the university’s invitation of President Barack Obama. Regretting the “fissure” the invitation has caused, the priests warned that the university’s decision may unintentionally distance itself from the Church.

Considering the good of Notre Dame and the good of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the priests said they “cannot remain silent.”

The letter was published in the Notre Dame newspaper The Observer.

Signatories to the letter included Fr. Wilson D. Miscamble, CSC, a Notre Dame history professor and former rector of the Holy Cross Congregation's Moreau Seminary; Fr. Ronald J. Wasowski, C.S.C., a physics professor at the University of Portland, Oregon; Notre Dame vocations mentor Fr. Daniel J. Parrish; and at least two parish pastors.

According to the Cardinal Newman Society, in the past Fr. Miscamble has criticized Notre Dame’s failure to hire sufficient numbers of Catholic professors. He was also critical of university president Fr. John Jenkins’ permission for the performance of the obscene play “The Vagina Monologues.”

“We write as priests of the Congregation of Holy Cross and as proud graduates of the University of Notre Dame to voice our objection to the University's decision to honor President Barack Obama by inviting him to deliver this year's Commencement address and by conferring on him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree,” the priests’ letter begins.

Saying they associate themselves with and encourage the “courageous students and treasured alumni” who oppose the “sad and regrettable decision” to honor the president, the priests said they deeply believe that Notre Dame should lead “by word and deed” in upholding Church teaching that human life must be respected from conception.

They also cited the U.S. bishops’ instructions that Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of “fundamental moral principles.”

Saying they regret the “fissure” opened between Notre Dame and Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend John D’Arcy, they expressed “deep gratitude” towards the bishop for his “leadership and moral clarity” and asked the university to consider the bishop’s advice.

“The University pursues a dangerous course when it allows itself to decide for and by itself what part of being a Catholic institution it will choose to embrace,” the priests wrote. “Although undoubtedly unintended, the University administration's decision portends a distancing of Notre Dame from the Church which is its lifeblood and the source of its identity and real strength. Such a distancing puts at risk the true soul of Notre Dame.”

Regretting their differences with university president Fr. Jenkins, they said the invitation to President Obama has caused “moral confusion” and has given many “reason to believe that the University's stance against the terrible evil of abortion is weak and easily trumped by other considerations.”

The confreres of Fr. Jenkins asked him to revisit his decision, and warned that failing to do so will damage the integrity of the school and detract from its good work.

“We offer these views as we enter Holy Week, recalling the triumph of Christ's holy cross,” their letter concluded. “As ‘men with hope to bring’ we are confident that Notre Dame may yet give true honor to its patroness, and witness to Her Son, through its commitment to the sanctity of life.”

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Christiana
USA 04/13/2009 01:58 PM EST

Bishp D'Arcy has the power to declare that ND is no longer Catholic. Since ND has not been REALLY Catholic for ages, its about time he does this!
Then ND (with a name change I hope) can invite whoever they want and do whatever they want and not scandalize the Church any further.

Published by: bjcass
mooresville,nc 04/13/2009 10:47 AM EST

I`m still puzzled that the leader of the Holy Cross Order does not simply demand that Father Jenkins withdraw the invitation.If Obama appears,he will distract and disrupt the graduation day of all graduates because of the controversy.You can be assured of protests and some graduates declining to attend the ceremony.The Class of 2009 does not deserve to be held hostage to the stubborn stupidity of Father Jenkins and some of the faculty at ND.

Published by: Mark
Edison/NJ/USA 04/11/2009 07:18 PM EST

May the Holy Roman Catholic Church never honor those who promote abortion regardless of their authority OUTSIDE the Church.

Published by: Lisa Krempasky
http://lisakrempasky.com/petition-notre-dame-to-re 04/11/2009 08:57 AM EST

Notre Dame needs to stand firm to its Catholic faith and tradition. Do not sacrifice principle and truth for prestige.

Published by: M E
Murphy 04/10/2009 03:57 PM EST

By this report's account, only 1 active member of the ND faculty objected, and he is a constant critic. That leaves, by my count, AT LEAST a DOZEN C.S.C. faculty from N.D. who did NOT sign the letter. Hardly an overwhelming objection by the order.

Published by: Joyce
Florissant 04/10/2009 12:17 PM EST

Thank you to the priest from the Congregation of the Holy Cross and the Bishop of the diocese in which Notre Dame resides. Your courage to be the Shepard of your people by teaching authentic Catholicism is greatly appreciated. Notre Dame should not be allowed to call herself Catholic if she allows Mr. Obama to speak or receive an honorary degree. Graduates who are truly Catholic should not attend if it happens. I know this is a sacrifice, but we are called to sacrifice for our faith.

Published by: dolores liptak, rsm
w.hartford, CT 04/09/2009 01:56 PM EST

This is a highly significant move. These priests represent the community they "own"--in the sense that their predecessors founded it... I thank God they have spoken up. I hope it will change minds and hearts.

Published by: Teresa Reckard
Santa Fe NM USA 04/09/2009 12:58 PM EST

The President was adamant with Pope Benedict 16 about pro life - As a Catholic University he should be
ashamed to even consider speaking or accepting an honor. Either you are true to
our innocent brothers and sisters who are at the hands evil or you are not. President Obama is agreeing to have our babies, lives destroyed with no blink
of an eye. No conscience - no care for these innocence. What are they thinking?
Pray for his conversion,he doesn't even consider or think
about a child at 9 months born alive. Death and blood. Only
evil would agree - shame on him. Blood money, God be with him and convert his bad decisions. What will befall on America for
this decision - our hearts are breaking for these babies - there is no right in this. none at all.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/09/2009 12:33 PM EST

Well Fr. Jenkins will get his wish that this event will forever be remembered and will define ND. I hope the increased fame and fortune is worth losing your Catholic identity.

Published by: Frank Ferguson
Ashburn VA USA 04/09/2009 10:30 AM EST

Fr. Jenkins has received enough counsel on his decision and on previous decisions he has taken that have caused scandal. Notre Dame's Catholicity has been in question for years. It's time to make its true secular identity official and remove its Catholic moniker.

Published by: Brian
Notre Dame, IN 04/09/2009 10:19 AM EST

The correct name is "Congregation of Holy Cross". It is not named for "the Holy Cross", but for the small town where it was founded in France.

Published by: Paul
St. Louis, Mo. 04/09/2009 09:36 AM EST

Bravo good Fathers. Well stated.
May our Lord soften the heart of Fr. Jenkins and open his mind to the TRUTH.

Published by: V. Reynolds
St. Louis, MO 04/09/2009 05:09 AM EST

If Obama had ANY class at all, he would have removed himself from the invitation. Why do Catholic institutions continue to invite pro-abortion peresonalities to begin with?

Published by: MONTY
LAGUNA WOODS CA USA 04/09/2009 04:17 AM EST

IT IS INTERESTING TO READ: ... the priests wrote. “Although undoubtedly unintended, the University administration's decision portends a distancing of Notre Dame from the Church which is its lifeblood and the source of its identity and real strength. Such a distancing puts at risk the true soul of Notre Dame.”
CHRISTIANS believe that Christ blood is the source of our salvation. Not the church/ My Bible says I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me.
Notre Dame is indeed a Catholic University founded on great ideals but it does not speak for all other Christian denominations.My Bible says that moral obligations are based upon Christs words, not mans interpretations. Tradition is wonderful healthly invigorating but not inspired ...
Most Christians believe in the sanctity of life. Many have opposite views on certain doctrinal questions. WHY SHOULD a persons views be silenced if they are in opposition unless they cannot be challenged.

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