By Bishop Michael Sheridan
If we consider the many threats to our faith and the practice of religion that come from outside the Catholic Church (e.g., the increasing civil legislation that seeks to redefine marriage; the proposed rescinding of health care workers’ right of conscience; the mounting efforts to make contraception and abortion on demand ever more available – even to the very young), it is particularly disturbing to witness the scandalous turmoil within the Catholic Church over the invitation from the president of the University of Notre Dame to President Obama to speak at this spring’s commencement and be awarded an honorary degree.
Several months ago Father John Jenkins, CSC, president of Notre Dame, announced that he had invited President Obama – the most radical and ardent pro-abortion president ever elected – not only to speak at the university’s commencement exercises, but also – incredibly – to receive an honorary Doctor of Law degree. The invitation was given and its acceptance announced without any prior consultation with the local bishop, John D’Arcy. Bishop D’Arcy immediately responded by telling Father Jenkins that his invitation flew directly in the face of the 2004 teaching of the American bishops, Catholics in Political Life, which stated that “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor whose who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” Bishop D’Arcy asked Father Jenkins to rescind his invitation. Father Jenkins replied that he would not do so.
The uproar over this whole affair is not unexpected. Many bishops, as well as students and alumni of Notre Dame, and countless Catholics throughout the country have made their outrage known. The sad fact is that it was a majority of people who claim to be Catholics who helped elect President Obama. But this does not excuse Father Jenkins’ disobedience toward his own bishop, as well as the United States bishops as a whole. I do not suggest that Father Jenkins’ invitation was done out of malice, but his continued intransigence is not befitting a Catholic priest.
Last month I wrote to Father Jenkins with my own plea that he cancel the president’s appearance at Notre Dame. I did not make the letter public at that time, but, having received a number of questions from the faithful of our diocese, I have decided to do so now.