Last Friday, May 8, I and others concerned with Notre Dame’s scandalous invitation and extension of an honorary degree to Barack Obama were engaged in peaceful, prayerful witness to truth on the Notre Dame Campus. We walked onto the campus praying the rosary and pushing strollers that illustrated the Church’s teaching with respect to the objective evil of abortion. At the behest of Father John Jenkins, the President of the University, we were detained by the UND police and turned over to the civil authorities. At the time of our arrest we were not defying civil law, but obeying the laws of God and the directives of the Church and its leadership. We sought to counteract the scandalous impression given by University authorities that it is compatible with Christian faith and Catholic teaching to honor and hold up as an example of good conduct someone who has made himself the focus of abortion evil in the world today.
Yesterday I sent a letter to David Tyson, the Provincial Superior of the Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross urgently requesting a hearing at which I and the others injured by Father Jenkins’ abuse of his authority can present our grievances and seek relief. Unlike Father Jenkins, we are acting with respect for Christ’s instruction that people of faith should work out their differences within the communion of the faithful before calling upon civil authorities who may or may not act with respect for the laws of God and the teachings of the Church. This is why I sought to meet with Father Jenkins before I joined in the spiritual rescue efforts occasioned by the University’s scandalous behavior. He did not respond to my request. In this he displayed the same obdurate indifference to spiritual considerations that has exemplified his conduct throughout this scandalous affair. He has encouraged a bunker mentality within the University of Notre Dame community, by treating other members of the Body of Christ, even those in communion with the Holy See, as if we are “outsiders”.
This mentality contradicts the “emphasis on Community in Catholicism” cited in the University’s mission statement but utterly ignored in the actions ordered by Father Jenkins and his colleagues. Archbishop Burke of the Vatican and the American bishops who have asked that the invitation and honorary degree be withdrawn; the hundreds of thousands who have signed the petition with the same plea; the millions of Catholics and prolife Christians they represent: though part of the Church communion, the body of Christ or the community of the faithful, all are apparently to be treated as criminals if they dare to set foot on the Notre Dame campus to question the University administration’s will and judgment.
Where is the humility that should characterize Christian leadership? Where is the love toward other believers that should give glory to God? Instead of ordering arrests and persecution, a true Catholic and Christian heart should seek to converse in order to instruct (if there is misunderstanding) or to learn. Instead Father Jenkins has reacted with a harshness that bespeaks fearful guilt, using force to dispose of opposition. If, despite the opinion of the Vatican, the bishops and so many of the laity, he and his colleagues are right to honor evil, why are they afraid to deal openly and respectfully with both the Church authorities and fellow believers who disagree?
They react with forceful abuses of their authority because they cannot properly defend their action in terms of the laws of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church. They therefore substitute force for persuasion. In this too they honor evil, by imitating its methods.
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If Sharia Law is allowed to supercede the First Amendment Constitutional Right of Free Speech where a gathering of Muslims occupies public land, why then is Canon Law not applicable on private property owned by an institution which identifies itelf as Catholic?
Christian Evangelization of Muslims at Festival in Dearborn, MI
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090617/METRO/906170360/1409/METRO/Christian-group-sues-Dearborn-over-Arab-festival-access
How…revealing.
Yet again we see the innate class consciousness that has been the core of the “Democrat” movement since the days of slavery.
Republicans value and understand the design of a nation dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal, and that everyone derives basic rights from that equality. Democrats not only disdain such a principle, they don’t even have the ability to comprehend it. The idea of class structure is so firmly embedded into their psyche that it is impossible for them to think of anything except in terms of social standing.
“I’m better than you.”Screwtape himself would laugh.
Thank you, Justin, for your good Christian response. BTW since my investments are largely in municipal bonds, I have very little concern about taxes. I probably pay less tax than you do. I’m sure it rankles you to discover that there are rich people who don’t drink the Republican Kool Aid, just as it amazes me to discover that there are members of the lower classes who think that proclaiming Republicanism is going to impress their betters. Poor deluded fools.
Zapem: Somehow you’ve gotten the idea that I’m an atheist because I disagree with conservatives’ opinions. I find that truly amazing. Do you really imagine that God speaks to humanity through politicians? As for education, I’m sorry to say I was never able to progress beyond obtaining a law degree from NYU in 1962. What are YOUR credentials?
RevisionistWriter:
You sir, are a troll of the lowest order. As such I will no longer be feeding you, as your last comment cemented the sheer inanity of your general responses. And besides, I wouldn’t dream of arguing with such an elogent, sophisticated retired (Hows that capital Gains scheduled increase working out for ya under Osama BTW?)gift to humanity like yourself. Thank you, oh thank you for showing me the error of my Mcdonalds ways. I would have been lost without your infinite wisdom oh great one.
……..Do everyone a favor and go /wrists you pompous, arrogant, good for nothing bombastic tool.
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