Vatican newspaper finally reports on U.S. bishops’ criticism of Obama, Notre Dame

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President Barack Obama / Archbishop Charles J. Chaput

Vespers Address to Priests, Seminarians, and Deacons at Notre Dame
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
Catholics in Political Life
Respect for Unborn Human Life: The Church’s Constant Teaching - US Bishops

Vatican City, May 22, 2009 / 03:30 pm (CNA).- The Vatican daily newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, which has faced criticism from many pro-life U.S. Catholics for its positive assessment of Barack Obama’s presidency, finally reported today on the objection of U.S. bishops to both Obama’s pro-abortion record as well as to Notre Dame’s decision to invite him to its commencement speech.

In the article titled "U.S. Bishops and ethical questions," L’Osservatore quotes the strongly-worded statement from the Archbishop of Denver, Charles J. Chaput which comments on Father John Jenkins’ commencement speech that justified his decision to invite the President of the U.S. to Notre Dame.

The Vatican newspaper does not mention that Chaput’s words were addressed to Fr. Jenkins, but quotes the Denver Archbishop saying that "the most vital thing faithful Catholics can do now is to insist – by their words, actions and financial support – that institutions claiming to be ‘Catholic’ actually live the faith with courage and consistency."

L’ Osservatore then explains that Archbishop Chaput "criticized the decision of the University of Notre Dame to honor someone who has demonstrated the willingness" to uphold Roe v. Wade.

"Other U.S. bishops recently," the Vatican newspaper continues, "have recalled the non-negotiable terms in which (Catholics) must confront ethical issues such as abortion, embryonic stem cell research and the right to conscientious objection of health workers."

L’Osservatore still seemed to defend Obama by saying that the President promised during the commencement speech at Notre Dame that "such a right must be defended," but concluded with the article quoting the Bishop of Kansas City - St. Joseph, Robert W. Finn, saying that "Obama has closed any door to dialogue, affirming that he will not change his position on abortion."

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: David
Chicago 05/27/2009 12:20 PM EST

Why do you all have such a hard time accepting that the Vatican does not shared your hatred of President Obama?

Published by: Pwatch
Yorktown, VA, USA 05/24/2009 09:45 AM EST

Finding the positive in Obama's Notre Dame words is not hard to do, but seeing what he did not say is even easier, i.e. nary a positive word about curtailing or eliminating abortion. I feel your pain; we need to dialogue, etc. Bah, humbug!
The man's a serial abortion supporter, end of story. Don't let his "words" speak louder than his "actions" .

Published by: Bill Sr.
Jacksonville, Fl. 05/24/2009 07:33 AM EST

If this report is to have any importance to us at all the key words in it are “the President promised”.
First, if you’re not sure which side’s argument in the hassle has the upper hand with the Church’s position and the combatants are Obama and Bishop Chaput, it’s and no brainer.
Other than that we only have to look at the record of what L’Osservatore considers the victim or “defendant” in the case and what he considers a promise.
When he talks to his liberal base a promise is usually a promise. Such as, reversing the Mexico City provision on abortion proliferation, or defending same sex marriage, or closing GITMO, or preventing free secret ballot elections for union affiliations.
However, promises made to the general public or to his opposition are much less binding.
Such as, No earmarks in legislation or free and open debate of legislation, or bill in congress will be posted for five days prior to his signing, or balancing the budget, or 95% taxpayers won’t be seeing new taxes.
Also as a “character” note just remember that this man still denies the record that he three times voted against the born alive infant protection law and he is currently planning (promising) to shut down the school voucher program in Washington D.C. eliminating the very successful progress made to enable at least some poor black public school students to escape those out of control conditions to have the chance for the kind of education to which the Obama children are privileged.

Published by: C.L. O'Rourke, Ed.D.
Fresno, CA, USA 05/23/2009 09:37 PM EST

I am most pleased to read that the editor of the Vaican newspaper has FINALLY begun to see the light of what President Obama is promoting in America- infanticide, partial birth abortion, and the rejection of and outlawing of doctors and nurses in hospitals to follow their consciences and NOT to participae in abortions....

The culture of our President is the culture of death for the unborn.

Thank God for the Bishops of America who have spoken out against abortion and our President's position on abortion- pro death...

Would that all of the American Bishops had spoken out more courageously. There is no compromise between right and wrong...This is not something that wwe can DIALOGUE about....

What Nore Dame allowed is a scandal....

Published by: dAVID LARSEN
scituate Mass. USA 05/23/2009 03:17 PM EST

The Obama administration is dangerous because it is fool hardy,as it attempts and succeeds,in passing complex programs almost overnight,without any discretion. It will also select Pro choice Justices to the Supreme court in time. Abortion and the protection of all democratic party policies is a priority. Every secular appointment by the Obama administration is a confirmation of this viewpoint. His changes are all secular,manipulative and extremely expensive. Change is like nothing that anyone has ever seen before,so for a long time everyone will be scratching their heads until the true reality sets in. So far much of what is taking place is shear devastation. He is sweet talking America so that it is dancing to it's own doom ignorant of decline,as a major power of consideration, in a world that is becoming socialistic,as it is growing to be a more global community.
Our country is becoming more indebted to our former enemy nations as we become more of a consuming nation than a producing one. The one attribute that has been truly lost is an all consuming thanksgiving for all we have and share,as gratitude for the grace,in the appreciation of an all encompassing ,all loving God.

Published by: GFM
St. Louis, MO 05/23/2009 02:34 PM EST

There is something troubling indeed about the willful ignorance or blindness of L'Osservatore Romano. Maybe this blindness has to do with the European love affair with Obama and as opposed to George Bush. Bush reminded them of their responsibilities as upholders of Western civilization. Obama panders to European praise. Like Americans who voted to Obama and felt better about themselves, Europeans now believe America has seen the light and voted for a real European style leader. Moreover, Europeans are not concerned about the values and morality of their leaders.
What is truly disconcerting is the Vatican's own newspaper and its editors not being able to reason based on the Obama's own actions concerning ESC research, a fanatical exportation of abortion ideology, conscience rights of health care workers, and FOCA.

The newspaper also seems to be completely blind about Obama's motives for going to Notre Dame. George Weigel is right in his May 13 column about Obama's reasons: his wish to further the split in the American Catholic Church between those who follow tradition and those who pick and chose. Finally, Obama is a consummate relativist who believes that Church teaching is like public policy, or political machinations changeable according to times and the circumstances.
The only belief Obama will not tweak is his complete dedication to an abortion on demand culture.

Published by: Rob
Greenville SC 05/23/2009 07:16 AM EST

Catholics, like myself, who have tried to share the faith with sometimes obstinate family members have now been scandalized even more, as Protestants wonder what we would be willing to defend. (Ex. Hosptials, Life, Shiavo, etc.) There
is a lot of complicity here, I fear regarding Notre Dame. This one hurts! But then apostasy always does.

Published by: Dan Franco
San Antonio, TX, USA 05/23/2009 07:12 AM EST

Notre Dame is no longer
Catholic, in my book.
It's just another
expensive college in the U.S. mid-west,
sitting on a
cornfield.

Published by: catherine kennedy
melbourne victoria AUSTRALIA 05/23/2009 05:33 AM EST

It is most PROPER that the L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO has commented.
It is truly befitting that the remarks of both his Grace Archbisop Chaput and his Grace Bishop Finn be both highlighted and HEEDED!
Now these two leading pro life Catholic Clergymen have had the courage/nous to say what so many others observed and think too!For that they both deserve much credit!
namely why did Obama get an undeserved award and yes he Obama did speak in such a way as to close off dialogue!
So the pro abortion/ choice position should be intumulated!
The appearence of Obama at Notre Dame only served to INTURBIDATE many !
so it is truly a blessing that the two bishops here spoke with such CLARITY and acuity re the visit of Obama to Notre Dame!
Catholics of fidelity to the pro life position are grateful that these two dont suffer from neither delusions of grandeur nor intellectual Vanity
To see some Catholics at Notre Dame pandering to an ardent pro choice/ abortionist was not an uplifitng sight!
the actions of those that INVITED OBama to Notre Dame should be beheld to account and the instigators/ initiators of the invitaion to Obama should forever be INUMBRATED so this doesnt ever happen again!
Life is NOT just for showpony agents of death nor their accomplices!
life is Not just for the privileged, the planned, the perfect!

Published by: Paul M Hupf
Daly City, CA, USA 05/22/2009 09:36 PM EST

Abortion and embryonic stem cell research are related. There can be no compromise on these issues for anyone who professes the teachings of Jesus Christ. Regardless of the fact that the President may think himself well intentioned, the fact of the matter is that there is no way one can accept or approve the termination of an innocent, voiceless life except under circumstances where there is a Hobson's choice: viz, one life can be saved but both cannot be saved.

Published by: Scott Johson
Vacaville/CA/USA 05/22/2009 09:27 PM EST

I sent a letter to President Obama this week, asking that he become the greatest president in our history by outwardly and aggressively leading the country back to a culture of life by supporting the right to life, first and foremost before the other human rights he is working towards. With his charisma, if he would support life, the country and the world would truly "change". He would not even have to work for it!

Published by: Roger Rybarczyk
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA 05/22/2009 07:44 PM EST

So Notre Dame’s graduates and future students along with the rest of world who is accepting Obama’s charismatic leadership are suppose to agree and award this tragic President’s “…such a right must be defended,”? What right? The right to legally murder unprotected human life in the USA? Let the band play “Hail to the Grief”. Let them play real loud so they don’t have to listen to me puke. I hope the Vatican newspaper can wake up and publish some truly needed talent real soon. We need their Godly help, not their nonsense. Pray for God's help.

Published by: Dr. W. Luckey
Front Royal, VA 05/22/2009 06:36 PM EST

OR's belated article is like closing the barn door after the horse is gone. The word "newspaper" has the word "new" in it.

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 05/22/2009 05:47 PM EST

L'Osservatore needs to decide who it believes is pope, either Benedict XVI or Obama.

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