Six More Bishops Criticize ND Over Obama Invite

Mass of Reparation to Be Held in Orlando Diocese

Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk of the Cincinnati Archdiocese, Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of the Orlando Diocese, Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese, Bishop Joseph Latino of the Jackson Diocese, Bishop Leonard Blair of the Toledo Diocese, and Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger of the Evansville Diocese have opposed the University of Notre Dame’s decision to honor President Obama at commencement, bringing the total number of bishops rebuking the university to 39.

“It is clear now that Notre Dame’s actions have created a wound in the Catholic community, but fortunately the university still has time to end the scandal,” said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society (CNS), whose petition at NotreDameScandal.com has now passed 323,000 signers.

Bishop Robert W. Finn of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese delivered a keynote speech entitled “Warriors for the Victory of Life” at the Gospel of Life Convention last Saturday, April 18. In his speech Bishop Finn characterized Notre Dame’s decision to honor Obama as wrong, scandalous, discouraging and “confusing to many Catholics.”

During his speech, Bishop Finn said, “I suspect that, since Notre Dame will need a scapegoat for this debacle, and Fr. Jenkins will probably lose his job, at this point perhaps he ought to determine to lose it for doing something right instead of something wrong. He ought to disinvite the President, who I believe would graciously accept the decision. Notre Dame, instead, ought to give the honorary degree to Bishop John D’Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, who has supported and tried to guide the University, despite their too frequent waywardness, faithfully for 25 years.”

You speak the truth and it doesn't get much clearer than this, Bishop Finn! I pray that your words will permeate the minds and souls of Fr. Jenkins and the Notre Dame board members. I pray that they will recognize the voice of God speaking through you.

Bishop Thomas G. Wenski’s Orlando Diocese has announced a Mass of Reparation for “the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world,” specifically for Notre Dame’s decision to honor pro-abortion President Obama at commencement. The Mass is taking place at the Cathedral of St. James on May 3, 2009.
In a column on the Orlando Diocese website, Bishop Wenski writes, “Notre-Dame (at least in its Administration and Board) has forgotten what it means to be Catholic.” Click here to read the entire article.

Sign the Notre Dame Petition here: http://www.notredamescandal.com/


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Comments

  1. Anonymous4/20/09, 3:32 PM

    I acnnot understand how Fr. Jenkins can continue to resist the Bishops of this country. I am sure the alumni of Notre Dame will see to it that Fr. Jenkins will no longer be there after this school year.

    How much will it cost the University in lost donations from alumni and frieds of the University? Reguardless how much Hussein NObama is paying Notre Dame to speak there, the loss of donations over the long run will be much greater.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rosemary 4/20/09, 7:42 PM

    Could it be that Fr. Jenkins is a figurehead and that the Board of directors is really to blame?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jean Heimann4/20/09, 10:39 PM

    Yes, that's a possibility, but if that is indeed the case, then Fr. Jenkins needs to act boldly and speak out truthfully. He needs to make a decision that is in the best interests of the university that is consistent with Catholic teaching; otherwise, they need to change their name and stop calling themselves a "Catholic" college because they will be perpetuating a lie.

    ReplyDelete

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