South Bend, Ind., Apr 1, 2009 / 16:02 pm
Still more U.S. bishops have written regarding the University of Notre Dame’s invitation to President Obama to deliver the spring commencement speech and receive an honorary degree. The Archbishop of Newark has encouraged the school to underscore its commitment to the Gospel and the reverence for life, while an Oklahoma bishop called the invitation a “scandal” and asked it be withdrawn.
Archbishop of Newark John J. Myers, writing in a Wednesday statement, said he was “pained” to learn of the invitation.
Acknowledging that not all people believe what the Church teaches, he said the extension of honors to those who “do not share our respect and reverence for life in all stages” creates the perception that the honor is an endorsement.
“We cannot justify such actions, and the Bishops have stated so clearly and strongly,” he wrote.