Bishop to Boycott Obama Commencement Speech
South Bend is heating up over the controversy surrounding Obama and the local bishop...Read the post2009 College Grads: We're the Lucky Ones
Why there is hope for the graduating Class of 2009, and how they can find work in a recession...Read the postBeer in Vending Machines -- What Drinking Age?
U.S. policies on drinking age seem restrictive when examining the rest of the world...Read the postHow The Press Can Remain Relevant
Is it any surprise that Obama has employed a strategy to cordon journalists that is similar to previous administrations?...Read the postBe Afraid, Cheney Warns. Be Very Afraid.
Just when you thought the Bush-era warnings of Armageddon around the corner were over, Cheney strikes again...Read the postObama: You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry...
Obama threw down his stick, spat on the floor and growled in the face of cameras -- metaphorically... Read the postObama to GOP: 'I Won, I'm The President'
"You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," Obama told GOP leaders...Read the postPalin Seeks $11M Book Deal, but Can She Read?
One can only imagine what Republican rising star Sarah Palin could possibly write about in her memoirs...Read the post
politicsculture
Bishop to Boycott Obama Commencement Speech at Notre Dame
Kaitlynn RielyPosted: Mar 25th 2009 12:30AM
Filed under: Politics, Small Campus, Big Story, Culture, Religion, News, Local, Media, Notre Dame
Bishop John M. D'Arcy, who presides over Indiana's Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, which includes Notre Dame, announced Tuesday he will not be attending Notre Dame's May 17 Commencement, since President Barack Obama will be speaking.
"Can I have the Bishop's ticket?" my friend posted on the Web site Twitter.com.
D'Arcy has clashed with Notre Dame in the past, most significantly when University President Fr. John Jenkins issued a statement in 2006 allowing The Vagina Monologues to be performed on campus. Now it's Obama's pro-choice stances and decisions, rather than vaginas, that have gotten D'Arcy's Irish up.
Notre Dame and the White House announced Friday that Obama would be speaking at Notre Dame's May 17 Commencement ceremony, with Jenkins following up Monday clarifying that asking Obama to speak, and awarding him with an honorary doctor of laws degree, does not signify support of his policies. Most students, from my observations on campus, seem to be supportive of and excited about hearing Obama speak. But a vocal student minority, as well as alumni and unaffiliated pro-life groups, have protested the decision vehemently.
In his statement Tuesday, D'Arcy said Jenkins informed him of Obama's acceptance shortly before the announcement was made. D'Arcy said it was the first time he'd been told about the invitation. This May is the 25th Notre Dame graduation since D'Arcy became bishop, and for the first time, he said, he will not attend.
"After much prayer, I have decided not to attend the graduation," he said. "I wish no disrespect to our president, I pray for him and wish him well. I have always revered the Office of the Presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith 'in season and out of season,' and he teaches not only by his words -- but by his actions."
He added: "My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life."
I understand that D'Arcy has major disagreements with Obama over abortion and stem cell issues. But isn't he giving up a unique opportunity to pull the president aside for a moment and voice his concerns? It may not make a difference in Obama's stances, but when else will D'Arcy have the ear of the president?
I'm unimpressed with D'Arcy's leadership. The pro-life movement's sign-carrying, march-making approach hasn't worked so far, and I doubt the Bishop's boycott will make any difference in abortion policy in the United States. It just distances the Catholic Church from the decision-making process.
Too bad. I wish D'Arcy had been a bit braver and seen the opportunity, rather than ask whether Notre Dame has "chosen prestige over truth."
D'Arcy's ticket won't go to waste. Notre Dame seniors, who are only guaranteed 3 tickets each for graduation, have been posting on Facebook asking those who don't want Obama to speak at Notre Dame to give away their tickets.
Security itself on graduation day promises to be intense. But already, with two months to go, life in the Notre Dame bubble is becoming surreal. Leaving the gym this afternoon, I stopped by a television because a woman from a local television station was delivering a report from my campus.
When I got back to my room, a friend told me Notre Dame was on CNN.
Does this controversy have the momentum to last two months? Pro-life groups will certainly try their best. Everyone here has a viewpoint on the Obama drama.
My favorite opinion of the day came in a letter to the editor published in Notre Dame's student newspaper, The Observer. The author of the letter is a student at Saint Mary's, the all-women college across the street from Notre Dame, who asked whether the Notre Dame "administration considered the impact such an important political figurehead will have on the travel plans of the other schools graduating that weekend."
I imagine potential traffic congestion is the last thing Jenkins is thinking about this week.
Categories
Most Popular Stories »
- U.S. retailers are on sale
- The Rivalry: 145 games strong
- Slideshow: Lehigh-Laf week
- HAWKS SKIN LEOPARDS
- Macys thanksgiving day history
Recent Comments »
Page 5/6
Post Your Comments Below
Previous 20 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments
GreatR
1:09PM 1:09PM Mar 27th 2009
The Church is either against the murder of children or it isn't. Church institutions should not be honoring any person who espouces support for the routine killng of millions of children each year. It isn't important that its the president (sic)involved. No Catholic should be attending anything that can be construed as supporting this murderer.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
KUNZSP
1:44PM 1:44PM Mar 27th 2009
With few exceptions, the Hoosiers are a
peculiar people. I grew up in Indiana
so I oughta know. However, this is a new
low for them with their in-your-face
disrespect for President Obama and the
office of the presidency. I am
contemptuous of their narrow minds.
It is better they stay on their side
of the river and I say on mine--Kentucky
Phyllis Kunz
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
dandee
2:02PM 2:02PM Mar 27th 2009
KUNZSP::
WHO or what brought up INDIANA? People there are no different from the rest of the United States. As far as you staying on your side of the river, I Must agree with you. Things would be much better.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
dandee
2:03PM 2:03PM Mar 27th 2009
Why are my comments NOT POSTED? Please reply, IF there is really someone there to reply.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Michelle
1:26AM 1:26AM Mar 29th 2009
Thank God for Bishops like D'Arcy. President Obama voted AGAINST the Born Alive Act which would protect babies who were born alive after botched abortions. During the hearings for this act, a witness (nurse) to the deaths of many of the babies stated that while whe was testifying, Obama showed absolutely no concern for their fate. He was uniterested. He himself states the he voted against the act only because he believed it might restrict some abortions including partial birth abortions performed in the last trimester. In addition, Obama said his FIRST priority as President of the US would be to pass the Freedom of Choice Act which would even force Catholic and other Christian hospitals to perform abortions and force individual to perform abortions even if they believe it is committing murder therefore forcing them to sin against GOD. Any Catholic on this post who claims to be pro-choice or supportive of the President speaking at Notre Dame is ignorant of the teachings of their church and should read the Catechism of the Catholic Church which states that abortion is "intrinsically evil" and cannot be justified.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
ME
2:40PM 2:40PM Mar 27th 2009
SO NOTRE DAME "WELCOMES!" THE BABY "KILLERS" SUCH AS,
"666 OMBAMA" AND HIS SATANIC DESCIPLE, "THE NEW WOMAN" WITH THE MORALES OF SNAKES.THAT WROTE THIS ARTICAL.
"GOD FORBID" SHE GETS KNOCKED UP BY ONE OF HER "ONE"
NIGHT STANDS,AND HAS TO "KILL" THE KID. SO IF SHE EVER
FINDS A FOOL THAT "WOULD" MARRY HER,HE WOULD "NOT"
KNOW HOW SHE SPREAD HER VAGINA AROUND.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
beauin
3:18PM 3:18PM Mar 27th 2009
it's all good, there will be a large protest to greet our prez, we'll see how his image is after that. The Pope will turn on him as well as most Italians.....but BHO doesn't wnat to offend anyone....lol
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Big Fran
5:51PM 5:51PM Mar 27th 2009
The One, True Catholic Church says abortion is wrong and, therefore, if you support and honor one who not only believes in, but supports this belief, you too are wrong and have no place in the Church.
It's simple, if you don't like the rules Fr. Jenkins go find another church to play God in, and take your populist excuse for a Catholic institution with you.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
mahalapril
4:49PM 4:49PM Mar 27th 2009
People this is a democracy. You should respect other people's beliefs. I am atheist but I won't force it on anyone.This is now what is bringing down America to third world country status. Forcing people to have one belief. Look at the homosexuals. I tolerated their civil unions but they are becoming aggressive ,arrogant,and violent on imposing gays and lesbian marriage on the the majority who rejected it.They know it will destroy and confuse the future of our children and grandchildren but they are doing it anyway for their own financial self-interests and lusts and is not even being about love. We should remember when AIDS came from Africa how their sexual practices facilitated transmission of AIDS.The only reason they are becoming monogamous is because they would be annihilated by AIDS if they continue to have multiple sexual partners.. Now they are trying to sanitize it when it was all about lusts from the very beginning . Imagine Homo Barney Franks as a young congresswoman going to bathhouses at night to have multiple sexual gay partners. Franks has the nerves to call Supreme Court Justice Scalia a homophobe.These immoral Homos who are also corrupt are like parasites . They can't survive by themselves and have to be living with the heterosexuals and now is asking for money for their lusts.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
jparchery02
6:01PM 6:01PM Mar 27th 2009
lord knows the Bishop wont miss much ...every time obama opens his mouth our tax money flies out and if he aint spending our money he's spewing some lie or reneging on a campaign promise he made
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
SassyFrassy
6:42PM 6:42PM Mar 27th 2009
WELL, ya know Bea, it doesn't be ego, we really do have better things to do that post. however, we just thought you 'might" want to know?? btw, if 99% percent of America doesn't read these posts well, it's why Dems got elected and brought on 911 and meltdown and wanted to sell USA OUT in 2000 to be lunch for terrorist rememba seattle??? meanwhile you folks are still sitting around wondering whaaat all the fuss is about???
and hey guess whaat no conspiracy theories from me they are all verified facts from
wall street journal-the YEMAN indicent at time of occurrence but hey? guess everyone was too busy to notice
sept 30 1999 ISUUE of NY TIMES where clinton explained it was CLINTON AND ACORN that brought meltdown.
but hey, i guess the 99 percent didn't want to read that either because if they had DEMS would have NEVER MADE IT INTO OFFICE.
However, the part about the Socialists saying that about the American Public being someone whose not to smart so DEMS want to take away their freedoms because they don't think 99 % of people will make a move to protect themselves even in the face of blantant assault.
that, was straight from WASH DC VIP mouths. So, hey just so you know perhaps if people took the time to read. btw the stem cell projects?? directly from townhall a few days ago. So, there ya go no one must have read. So, i hope you do get past the length part to the realization
a. that while you're slamming me to claim my comments too long and egotistical and unfounded conspiracy theories. well, they are not unfounded and guess what--that SOCIALIST healthcare just robbed you of the RIGHT
1.to medicine if your x percent sick.
2.in addition to WASH DC SLUGS thinking PUBLIC was too stupid to notice they want to COERCE YOU THE PUBLIC into voting for sharia law/soc/com/glob/fac/mar.
oh, and before you even think about claiming REPS are off the deep end because OBAMA said that fairness doctrine is out.
10 min after press put out the statment that fairness doctrine is out--We found out obama left it wide open for his SLUGS DEMS party to revive it anytime he thinks YOU OR I aren't looking how??? By mislabeling it another name and thru attempting to use the FCC to claim that muslims need administrations or boards to moniter speech so as no one 'offends' muslims.
so, there ya have it just the facts hope it helps!
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
deniseatt
11:46PM 11:46PM Mar 29th 2009
Obama has always been upfront about his views on this issue. In fact, it is one of the reasons he was elected. Notre Dame INVITED him to speak. Therefore, if the good Catholics of the world have a problem with this, they should take it up with Notre Dame. So boycott away, Bishop Whatever. Who really cares?
I would also note that many of the posters on here seem to have foregone a college education, at Notre Dame or anywhere else, based on the spelling and grammar in some of the posts. The products of Catholic schools, perhaps? It is hard to read such uneducated drivel and take it seriously.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
stranger
7:44PM 7:44PM Mar 27th 2009
typical christian attitude - refuse to listen to an opposing point of view while at the same time trying to force their opinion on everyone. just small minded, rude, obnoxious, imature fools.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Sheryl
12:26AM 12:26AM Mar 28th 2009
A Bishop w/ a Conscious? Who would have thought. While he is boycotting someone who has a 'different view' can he talk to the Bishop who stated that abortion is worse than rape after he excommunicated the 9 yr old (yes NINE) who became impregnanted with twins after her 27 (YES TWENTY-SEVEN) yr old stepfather raped her. Her doctors performed a termination due to the fact that a NINE YR OLD's pelvis could not sustain the weight of twins.... in other words they saved her life.
But the Good Bishop... says otherwise, while not even acknowledging the fact that a 27yr old man is having sex with a child...opps, my bad... that seems to be the norm nowadays.
So... the girl is out.. her doctors are out... the man... probably said three hail mary's and set free to rape again.
Now... your question about small mindedness was?
Rating :
Report!
Judy
10:42PM 10:42PM Mar 28th 2009
You knee jerk liberals always use the example for abortion being a 9yr old rape victim. I work with 20 yr olds who use abortion as a means of birth control to get rid of inconvenient babies. They have been inculturated to have NO mother instincts to protect their young. It is disgusting.
Rating :
Report!
ru
7:58PM 7:58PM Mar 27th 2009
typical christian attitude - refuse to listen to an opposing point of
view while at the same time trying to force their opinion on everyone.
just small minded, rude, obnoxious, imature fools.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
JUDY
10:36PM 10:36PM Mar 28th 2009
Just more of the same B. S. Save the criminals from death row and kill the inconvenient babies. This is the belief of our President and millions of other self deceived idiots. They have in common a lack of virtue and values in their lives. Obama lied to get into office and the liberal media protected those lies. There is a theme here isn't there?
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Sheryl
11:50AM 11:50AM Mar 31st 2009
What does a nine yr old rape victim have to do with 20 yr old catholic girls who can't keep their legs closed and run to the clinic for abortions?
Don't compare apples to oranges, the two are totally different.
Rating :
Report!
william
8:36PM 8:36PM Apr 9th 2009
I've always said that when the "pro-life" movement becomes truly pro-life and not just pro "american born human" life I will gladly join.
The Church is not losing influence because of Obama, the Church is losing influence because of itself. It has done nothing to speak out against war the last 8 year which causes massive loss of innocent "life," while playing media games about abortion.
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Lin Cruiz
1:20AM 1:20AM Apr 6th 2009
WHO in the school asked Obama to speak anyhow??????? ...at a Catholic University that preaches against abortion and supports pro life,.....someone goofed!!!!!!
Rating :
Reply to this commentReport!
Previous 20 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments