Father Norman Weslin leads Notre Dame protest
A Catholic priest was arrested and carted off the Notre Dame campus for standing up for the lives of the unborn, and against the betrayal of our Catholic pro-life principles by the administration of the university yesterday (5/15/09).
Father Norman Weslin is a senior citizen and a former army colonel who was arrested along with 20 other so-called radical and undignified pro-life protesters. Ironically, Sunday the one who advances an agenda that is the antithesis of our pro-life Catholic faith will give the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate of laws on this same campus.
Many at Notre Dame feel that it is hypocritical and contradictory to what the mission of the church and the university is supposed to be to not have the chief executive of our country speak. They say that there is a long history of inviting our new presidents to commencement ceremonies. Some Catholics believe that in the past, both President Jimmy Carter and President Bill Clinton spoke at Notre Dame commencements, receiving honorary degrees. So what's the problem? It's a false argument based on fabrication. Evidence of this typical liberal spinning is conveniently laid out in black and white here: http://www.catholicsfornotredame.org/
Let's examine the absurd introduction together:
On May 17, President Obama will speak at the University of Notre Dame's commencement, a Presidential tradition since the 1950s. In fact, every American President since Dwight D. Eisenhower has spoken at Notre Dame. It's a time to celebrate America's future in a non-partisan way.
On June 5, 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower delivered the University’s first presidential Commencement speech. http://tinyurl.com/NDcommencement-list
"Charlotte Allen, author of “The Human Christ: The Search for the Historical Jesus,” argues that despite the ND’s “tradition” of inviting U.S. presidents, Bill Clinton was never invited. Any one Clinton’s anti-life actions which ought to have properly disqualified him from setting foot on Notre Dame’s South Bend campus “were spread out over the eight years of his presidency. By contrast, Obama has scarcely been president for eight weeks, and already he’s forced U.S. taxpayers to subsidize overseas abortion clinics; announced he’ll rescind a Bush-administration rule allowing health-care workers to refuse to provide services (such as abortion) they deem morally repugnant; and opened the sluice-gates for federal funding of embryo-destructive stem-cell research, all the way up to cloning.”
“If Bill Clinton wasn’t invited to be commencement speaker, why on earth has Obama been issued the implicit endorsement of his views — plus a bully pulpit — by the nation’s premiere Catholic university?,” she concludes." Full article here: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15452
Time to celebrate America in a secular way is more accurate. Non-partisan would necessarily include conservative Catholics, who cannot now participate in the celebration due to reason and conscience. Bishop D'Arcy will boycott the Commencement proceedings, Mary Ann Glendon has declined to receive her much deserved Laetare Metal and submitted a letter of explanation available here: http://tinyurl.com/Glendondeclinesmedal
But recently, political activists, operatives, and pundits from the far right have tried to turn this celebration into a political firestorm. Unfortunately, they have been joined to varying degrees by a vocal minority of Catholic bishops. They are calling on Notre Dame to "uninvite" President Obama, and failing that, they've pledged to turn a solemn and joyful commencement ceremony into a political and media circus.
The Commencement ceremonies have indeed been turned into a political firestorm, and a scandal, and a political and media and religious circus--because the Rev. John Jenkins and the Notre Dame administration invited someone who has an historical anti-life record and agenda not for appropriate educational dialogue, but with the intention of awarding him with an honor and to give the 2009 commencement speech.
Some 70 Bishops have gone on the record in opposition to the decision to have the president give the address and recieve the honor, but these are in no way to be seen as a minority, ultra-conservative voice. How many Bishops are on record for agreeing with the decision? At last count--zero.
Note, too, that it was only last weekend that Archbishop Raymond Burke, Prefect of the Vatican’s highest court, the Apostolic Signatura, called on Catholics to “give an uncompromising witness” to the dignity of life and sharply criticized the University of Notre Dame for its planned honor for the far left, anti-life speaker. http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/may/09050804.html Therefore, citing the number of our Catholic leadership on record for opposition to the decision is disingenuous.
Furthermore, the USCCB statement in 2004 is very clear: The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those 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. http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml Our Bishops, in this document, have already spoken to such a serious matter.
While it is true that this is a Catholic policy regarding Catholic politicians, Father Jenkins himself stated that-up until now-Notre Dame has always followed the policy. This year an exception was made, as he admits that he took the liberty to interpret the document as he saw fit for justification of his harmful, defiant actions. http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/apr/09040808.html
What our beloved Pope John Paul II stated leaves no room for doubt that the liberally-educated Notre Dame students are in error, unable to see the truth, and are repeating the typical secular pattern of deception and misrepresentation in their defense of holding liberal views. The administration obviously has not made use of critical thinking skills, since they believe that our president has truly worked for the common good simply by being a community organizer in Chicago, and through being elected black in America. Racial healing is good and important but must have preceeded the elected one or we would not presently have a black president. Helping the needy and the marginalized is likewise admirable, but for Catholics this is not enough. Who is more defenseless and voiceless and in need of advocacy than our preborn children? Abortion and all anti-life policies are poitically polarizing, and they are contrary to the most fundamental teachings and mission of our Church. It is the duty of a Catholic university to put primary the sanctity of life, followed by other social issues as Pope John Paul II stated.
The official text is quoted from here: http://www.stopobamanotredame.com/
Official Text of Obama's Honorary Doctorate
"At the 164th Commencement The May Exercises
The University of Notre Dame Confers the degree of
Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on the 44th president of the United States, whose historic election opened a new era of hope in a country long divided by its history of slavery and racism. A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of Chicago, he now organizes a larger community, bringing to the world stage a renewed American dedication to diplomacy and dialogue with all nations and religions committed to human rights and the global common good. Through his willingness to engage with those who disagree with him and encourage people of faith to bring their beliefs to the public debate, he is inspiring this nation to heal its divisions of religion, culture, race and politics in the audacious hope for a brighter tomorrow.
On Barack H. Obama, Washington, District of Columbia"
"Laws which authorize and promote abortion and euthanasia are therefore radically opposed not only to the good of the individual but also to the common good; as such they are completely lacking in authentic juridical validity. Disregard for the right to life, precisely because it leads to the killing of the person whom society exists to serve, is what most directly conflicts with the possibility of achieving the common good." (John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae 72)
Catholic Democrats respectfully disagrees. We believe that we can show America that a few vocal conservatives do not speak for all Catholics on this issue. And we particularly take exception to the angry and divisive tactics they have used to go after the Catholic identity of Notre Dame, President Obama, and all his Catholic supporters, without regard to the hidden costs to our Church and our country.
Catholic Democrats--good thing this is non-partisan, huh? Respectfully disagrees with what, exactly? They take issue with Catholicism, including our faithful Catholic lay persons like myself, our pro-life priests, Bishops, Cardinals, and our Popes. Respectfully? This invitation and honor is a travesty of faith which was thrust upon the Notre Dame Catholic graduates; whereby devout Catholic believers have no course left but to either raise the issue in protest, or be silent and go along for the sake of participating in their well-deserved celebration. Faithful conservative Catholics perhaps do not speak for all Catholics, but we are the ones who do speak for our Catholic faith. We particularly take exception to the disobedience and betrayal and underhanded tactics the administration has used to bring this scandal about. It is the nominal Catholics who do not understand the hidden costs to our Church and to our country. If you wish to be identified as Catholic--be Catholic! Otherwise, you are truly a shamefully misguided and misleading paradox.
Comments
So, let's see the Catholic Church is down on Obama because he supports a woman's right to choose. For years the Catholic Church tacitly supported pedophilia among its clergy. The pope was a member of Nazi Germany's Hitler Youth. He just reinstated a Nazi priest who denies the holocaust. So, how can this Church expect anyone to actually respect any moral stance that they take. Anyone who maintains membership in the Catholic Church must have permanent blinders on.
JimDandy said:" So, let's see the Catholic Church is down on Obama because he supports a woman's right to choose. For years the Catholic Church tacitly supported pedophilia among its clergy. The pope was a member of Nazi Germany's Hitler Youth. He just reinstated a Nazi priest who denies the holocaust. So, how can this Church expect anyone to actually respect any moral stance that they take. Anyone who maintains membership in the Catholic Church must have permanent blinders on."
How ignorant a comment! He is totally clueless about the Catholic Church.
What hypocrisy!!!
Where is the tolerance? I am a cradle Catholic, and I am appalled that Notre Dame, a Catholic university, is so intolerant of the President's position on abortion. All people do not have the same position on all issues.
This is what makes this great country so great: the ability to take any position.
Why not respect the President's position?
D. Gates
Henry, you say that I am totally ignorant about the Catholic Church. Actually I am not. I was raised a Catholic; graduated from a Catholic High School and a Jesuit run Catholic University. I saw the Catholic error up close and personal and am here to tell you that Catholicism is just an institution that needs to fade away.
Henry: You say that I am clueless about the Catholic Church. Actually, no. I was raised a Catholic. I Graduated from a Catholic high school. I also graduated from a Catholic (Jesuit) university with a minor in Theology. I have seen the deep error in Catholicism and I am here to tell you that the best thing would be for the Catholic church to just fade away.
DGATES you can be tolerant all you want, but that does not mean that the one true church should have to sway from their strong firm rock foundation. May I suggest you do as Jesus commanded and come to him as a little child. (Outside of the womb that is, otherwise the Almighty O could have you terminated.) There is true peace in that cradle, assuming one can even make it there.
Great article,Theresa. The inability of secular thinking to even begin to have a sense of empathy towards the beliefs of the Catholic Church is growing in its irrational thinking.
The fact that a Catholic priest and others were arrested for quietly praying at ND today is a travesty upon the name of the university. It is the administrattion that chose the commencement speaker. They are the ones who have brought shame to this school.
Catholics are one of the few groups left that is is politically ok to hate. Their mantra sounds like "Don't confuse me with facts, my mind is made up."
God bless you and your writing. I love your articles.
Pamela
@Jimdandy:
"So, let's see Israel is down on Carter because he supports a Palestinian homeland. For years the Jews have tacitly supported pedophilia among its clergy. Israel's ex-foreign minister is descended from terrorists. So, how can Israel expect anyone to actually respect any moral stance that they take. Anyone who maintains membership in Judaism must have permanent blinders on."
Wonderful article! I am so sick of "Cafeteria/Easter/Christmas/Wedding/Funeral/Nominal Catholics' passing themselves off as the voice of our church!!! Our church is NOT a democracy. Stop calling yourselves "Catholic", and that includes universities, when there is very little about you that is Catholic. When was the last time you went to Mass, to Confession, read the Bible or the Catechism, went on retreat, made a Novena, fasted? In other words, lived your faith? The right to life is an absolute and out weighs everything else. You should know that. Abortion is MURDER! Obama says prisoners shouldn't be tortured, but he says it is OK to rip babies apart (and if they survive that, let them lay in the corner until they die.) Catholics CAN NOT have differing opinions on abortion. There is only one absolute truth. Life begins at conception and abortion is murder!! All of Obama's fancy speeches and community organizing can not make up for the experimentation on, and murder of, even one baby. As to the fact that someone is a "cradle Catholic" or went to "Catholic schools" and, therefore, they think they know the Catholic religion. Unfortunately, many Catholic parents and schools, such as ND, do not do a very good job of teaching our faith. Maybe that explains why people who should know better, are honoring a man who blatantly defies a basic tenet of their faith.
Let's start to by thinking about truth, which is not to controversial, I think. When my children were in grade school, the were taught where babies come from. The new that when a baby was when mommy and daddy got pregnant. Science says this is obviously correct. So, when does human life begin?
Uh, let me think? Of course at conception. So why can't president Obama? He says this is above his pay grade. Well…he can hire any great mind he needs who are above his pay grade and answer that question question and have the answer tomorrow. Or, he could ask his youngest daughter. She should know just like and grade school student who is getting sex education before the go to High School. Or, why
is he such a proponent of contraception education programs if he doesn't know when life begins.
You see, we all know when life begins. This leads me to my next question. When are our youngest American citizens entitled to "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"?
Oh, this is a pro choice decision.
Or…is it?
From TRUTH.
Are you guys really just freaking out because he's a Black President? I did my research and it doesn't seem that Bill Clinton got this kind of attention when he gave the commencement speech at Notre Dame...just keep in mind that if those eggs weren't being used for something as productive as life-saving research, they would be destroyed. Which is worse? The research being done could possibly find the cure for cancers of the body, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, etc., all of which are not of God. There is nothing natural about rheumatoid arthritis or lupus; just ask anyone who has either one. It is one thing to withstand attacks on our bodies for the cause of furthering the Gospel, it is another for that choice to be stripped from us through unnatural circumstances. Everyone was careful about how they expressed their disappointment in how Bush turned out as President, but you aren't even giving Obama a chance. This is the worst case of self-righteous indignation I have ever seen.
Thank you for your comments everyone.
Pamela, having such an affirming compliment come from you is truly an honor. I believe you were my very first examiner marked in my favorites. I thank God often that you are the one who represents the Chicago Roman Catholic voice. Some day I'd love to hear both of your testimonies.
Alicia, Alan Keyes is a black Catholic and has now been arrested twice at Notre Dame. I doubt he is freaking out because of anything racial. I believe one day in your research, you will come to see that killing human beings is wrong, even when they are unseen and voiceless in the wombs of their mothers.
It is disgraceful and morally wrong for Catholics to honor a man who has proven through his actions his disrepect for life. But even more immoral is the so called Catholic university who bestows the honor, they are suppose to know better. What is the church going to do about Villa Nova? How can it continue to be called a Caholic University when it is not based on Catholic foundation, which is prolife? What is going to be done??? I am afraid for America, in God we Trust! Our moral structure is falling apart along with the family, destruction of unborn children, have we progressed or are we going back to a society of animalistic pleasures and what's good for me, me, me, with no regard to respecting all life and the environment? In response to Jimdandy I would like to add: we are human and have a sinful nature that is why Christ died on the cross to save our souls and to forgive us. Priests are human and make mistakes just like ministers and lay people. So why target priests???? My main point is if Villa Nova is based on Catholic principles, no disrepect to Mr OBama but he should not have been honored by Villa Nova.
Prolifers are speaking for the babies, the mother cannot kill because the child is inconvenient for her. The child should not suffer because she was not responsible.
Any Christian it doesn't matter if they are Catholic, Orthodox or Potestant. If they support a person that supports Abortion (aiding & abetting)or they directly support it - They are NOT a Christian as they do not follow the teaching of Christ. I don't know what they are but they are not a Christian ! They can call themselves anything they want but they are fooling themselves. God will not be mocked !!!
O'Bama is out to bring down Christianity in this country. HE is not a Christian - he is a Communist. Wake up before it is to late. Look what he did at Georgetown ! He had a Pastor that took the Lords name in vain right inside the church are you kidding. He is out to water down/ bringdown Christianity in this country and the Catholic Church just took the first hit and failed our Lord !
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