San Antonio, Texas, Apr 8, 2009 / 15:52 pm
The highest ranking Hispanic bishop in the U.S., Archbisop Jose H. Gomez, has released a letter saying Notre Dame’s invitation to President Obama is in “direct opposition” to the U.S. Bishops. The Archbishop of San Antonio’s letter, addressed to Fort Wayne- South Bend Bishop John M. D’Arcy, expresses solidarity with him and states that the Catholic Church must not send an “ambiguous message to our leaders or our people.”
In his letter, also signed by his Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Oscar Cantu, Archbishop Gomez writes to Bishop D’Arcy, saying that “we are saddened by the circumstances that made you decide not to attend this year’s commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame, and are writing in total support of your action and its motives.”
“The unfortunate message sent to the nation by the university’s invitation to President Barack Obama to speak at their graduation ceremony is compounded by their decision to provide him an honorary law degree,” the bishops also note.
“We understand and agree with the need to hold the office of President of the United States in high regard and with due respect. However, this action is in direct opposition to the statement published by the U.S. Bishops, ‘Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium.’”