In All Things
Three Cheers for Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame made twin announcements that President Barack Obama would be giving the commencement speech and Ambassador MaryAnn Glendon would be receiving the university’s Laetare Medal this past weekend. The first news about Obama came on Friday, and blogger extraordinaire Rocco Palmo broke the story about Glendon Saturday evening. Whoever devised this timing in the Notre Dame press office deserves a raise! Maybe even a bonus!
The right wing of the Catholic Church was, as we noted on Saturday, up in arms within a twinkling of the eye over any honor being given to the President. Mr. Hudson is in high dudgeon at his blog, even issuing a veiled threat to Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop John D’Arcy: "Bishop D’Arcy, who has challenged Notre Dame before, must invoke the guidelines of ‘Catholics in Political Life’ or risk some of the other bishops doing it for him." (Must? Call me conservative but I do not think laymen should issue "musts" to prelates.) The Cardinal Newman Society has started a petition drive to protest the decision. Archbishop Charles Chaput, who has no ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the matter, urged a letter writing campaign to the university’s president. (Someone at the Catholic News Agency, a conservative propaganda outfit that pretends to be an unbiased purveyor of news, has contacted me to say that the Archbishop’s office is denying he said any such thing. The link above indicates someone thinks they heard otherwise. In the event, Archbishop Chaput has my email and if he objects to the characterization on the blog referenced above, I will be happy to change it.)
Now, of course, the stage at Notre Dame will be shared by someone whom the right has seen as a champion, Ambassador MaryAnn Glendon. There is no denying her credentials either as a conservative or as a pro-life advocate. I will bet dollars to doughnuts the next few weeks will make clear, however, that some on the right will begin attacking Dr. Glendon. Of course, Dr. Glendon, like the University of Notre Dame, is a source of pride for all Catholics, not just for conservatives. I view the world through very different lenses from Dr. Glendon, but I would be blind not to admire her accomplishments, her intellectual force, and her love for the Church. Whatever disagreements I have with her are disagreements within the family. (Of course, the right wing doesn’t view Notre Dame with the same "All in the Family" spirit.) And, in any event, here is a chance to fight another battle in the culture wars so who cares if Dr. Glendon must be thrown overboard?
This latest contretemps is disturbing not only because some of us are more than tired with the right wing insisting that only they can lay claim to the mantle of Catholicism, that those of us who see the demands of the world, or the challenge of the Gospels, differently are bad Catholics. Last week, before the latest mess, I ran into a priest whom I have known for more than twenty years but whom I had not seen recently. He did not discuss President Obama, he ranted. He did not offer a conversation or even an argument, he threw out slogans, and vulgar slogans at that, despite the fact that he is one of the least vulgar men I have ever known.
What is it about President Obama that makes the right wing so crazy, so uncharitable, so frothing-at-the-mouth unreasonable? I asked another priest who ventured racism was part of the answer. I am not so sure. I suspect that many people, with profound sentiments about abortion, had convinced themselves that our nation was close to seeing Roe v. Wade overturned and that Obama’s victory makes that less likely. But, overturning Roe would not have a large effect on the abortion rate as most states would codify the decision in their statutes. Besides that, what did the pro-life movement really gain from eight years of the George W. Bush’s presidency? Mr. Hudson may have had access to the White House, but what did the movement gain from the association? A phone call at t he Right-to-Life March? The Mexico City Policy, which is not nothing but it is not exactly a casus belli? I suspect the problem is that many on the far right listen to each other only, they have convinced themselves that FOCA will pass and Obama will be the "most pro-abortion" president in history, their understandable and laudable disgust at the entire nation’s tolerance of abortion has been channeled to focus on this man and like water entering a narrow channel, that disgust moves quickly and destructively. They are sincere, but sincere in the sense that they are the first to believe their own propaganda.
This crowd of conservatives does not own the Catholic Church. They certainly do not own Notre Dame. They are about to find out that they do not own Dr. Glendon either. The rest of us Catholics, however, must not let the public square think that they do. Our voices must be raised to say that we are thrilled such a distinguished Catholic university is considered such a part of the life of the nation that our President will be coming to address its graduates. We are thrilled that he will be sharing the stage with one of our Church’s and nation’s finest scholars and diplomats. And, we should be thrilled that the right wing commentariat has again adopted its smug "I thank Thee, Lord, that I am not like other men" stance. The Master condemned many things when he trod the earth, but none more than the smug judgmentalism of the Pharisees. Alas, like the poor, the Pharisees will be with us always. You will be able to find them on Graduation Day protesting outside the gates at Notre Dame.
Comments (93) |
6143 Views
Add Comments (registration required)
Comments
First of all, engage arguments instead of tossing around ad hominems.
Secondly, tell us why Obama is such a great choice. He's the president...and? What has he achieved? What in his administration so far is reflective of the Catholic, gospel-centered worldview that Notre Dame is supposed to be about? Even leaving abortion out of the picture...what is he doing that you are so excited about and that should make a Domer proud that he's giving the address and receiving the honorary degree?
Make an argument.
Why is there so often a dichotomy between ''Catholic'' and ''Christian?'' How can we hear the gospel every Sunday and not understand it? How can we as a Church who claims to know the Father act exactly like the Scribes and Pharisees? Even they knew who was doing the will of the Father.
"He ranted. He did not offer a conversation or even an argument, he threw out slogans, and vulgar slogans at that, despite the fact that he is one of the least vulgar men I have ever known.
What is it about President Obama that makes the right wing so crazy, so uncharitable, so frothing-at-the-mouth unreasonable?"
Perhaps the "left wing" which is so deaf, so imperceptive of the results of Mr. Obama's policies.
I really do believe Notre Dame should lose its status as a Catholic University unless it chooses to follow Catholic Church teachings. Enough! Enough of following the Land O Lakes Statement of which Notre Dame was part of drafting. It certainly is one of the reasons our Catholics today do not know their faith.
Abortions per year in the US: 1.0 to 1.4 million
Smoking related deaths per year in the US: 0.4 million
Now scientist like to put value on life based on productivity. The productivity losses annually for abortion are many factors greater than for smoking.
It would be nice if people would not throw around statistics without at least doing some fact-checking.
Talk about using slogans and political rhetoric. Can you say anything more typical than accusing those you disagree with of being pharisees. Your own column would be judged wrong by such a standard.
Before writing again:
1. Review paragraphs 2270-2275 of the Catechism.
2. Paragraph 118 of the ''Compendium of Social Doctrine of the Church'' and
3. Paragraph 22 of ''Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."
Obama needs to be un - invited.
Vivat Jesus,
Dave
You offer some of the most fallacious, equivocal reasoning I have ever seen in order to justify the legality of abortion. Smoking is hardly similar to abortion in its ontology, and is nowhere near equal in its moral import. If you truly think that you have made a sound argument here then it seems that any claim will do if it allows you wag your condescending finger at those embarrassing "pro-life partisans". I also find your sense of irony lacking when you straight-facedly bewail the supposed damage to the equal protection clause in the event of Roe's being overturned. I can think of one class of people denied equal protection under the law as it currently stands now.
To respond to another poster. Abortion is not like smoking. smoking is a poor personal choice which can lead to your own illness and death. Abortion is the murder of another human being who had no choice and who is innocent. You might as well compare working to slavery. Work is a choice, slavery is an indignity.
America Magazine, SHAME ON YOU! You can be sure I will not be renewing my subscription or supporting you in any way.
As for Pharisees, I think you will find "them" not only outside the gate but also inside among the students graduating. The Cardinal Newman Society is a silly and annoying organization, I agree, but their petition as of Monday at 8 o'clock had 40,722 signatures (and that is since Friday afternoon). It is not just the fringe that has a big problem with this. I would like to think of myself as a very moderate Catholic but I think ND has made a HUGE mistake.
Part of the problem is that Notre Dame is not hosting President Obama as a speaker to be engaged in dialog, instead it is HONORING him with a degree in law of all things. When Columbia invited Ahmadinejad of Iran to speak, they did not honor him with a degree in Judaic studies and make him commencement speaker, but instead engaged him in a different forum and critiqued his harmful world view (President Obama's understanding of human rights is just as inadequate).
That is the stand Notre Dame should have taken, which would have changed the focus from personalities to ideas. Unfortunately they did not, it is too late now, and I think ND will come to regret making the offer and President Obama will come to regret accepting.
Jack, neither son did the will of the father. The first son only tried to impose his own will on the parents. He refused to: notify the parents of underaged mothers, allow the mothers to have ultrasounds, allow son #2 to educate the mothers about the procedure and notify police when the underaged mothers were impregnated by adult predators. Son #1 also wanted to spend other people's money on his social agenda much like Judas wanted to sell another person's perfume and give money to the poor.
Son number two failed to: challenge ''pro-choice'' politicians forcefully by running against them in elections, vote pro-life in every election and pray the rosary every day.
Men who presume to know more about scripture than the Church that gave them scripture are the ones who have created any dichotomy between Catholic and Christian.
His policies run counter to Catholic teachings, and he's openly mocked religious people. So rail against what you call ''the Right Wing'' while embracing, cherishing, and celebrating someone that stands against the policies of the Church.
Fete the False Prophet.
As a domer who also imbibed the Jesuit ratio studiorum I must say that your commentary is scraping bottom with such intemperate terms as ranted, right wing, crowd of conservatives, Pharisees, etc.. This is hardly inclusive language of the kind that broadens the appeal of your argument on such a delicate Catholic issue as the protection of human life. I find myself conflicted with Notre Dame's choice of President Obama, whose stance on the unborn offends everything that the great university stands for. Moreover, against such a dominating figure as the President, do you really think that Dr. Mary Ann Glendon will balance the agenda that much? The good news is that thanks to the university's invitation and to your vitriolic commentary the pro-life movement has been given a shot in the arm. For that we thank you.
They helped minimize and totally side-line the influence of the Catholic Church in Europe and now they are working on the U.S.
So, let's just focus on the word, ''Catholic''. Can we do that?
Can we also agree to stop saying that anyone who is pro-life is part of a vast, cruel, ultra right wing conspiracy.
It seems Mr. Winters has quite a bone to pick with the ''right'' and has chosen to place anyone who considers themselves as ardently pro-life in that box. Seems a trifle judgmental and a bit conspiratorial.
So let me say this as a Catholic. My faith tells me abortion is the destruction of human life. My faith tells me abortion wipes away one of God's own.
With this knowledge...what would you have me do? Sit quietly? Say nothing? Avert my eyes? Put my head in the sand? What would you have me do? I'm asking?
I must say what I think. What would you possibly think of me if I didn't?
Those who think President Obama shouldn't speak at Notre Dame are merely doing the same. It's not a ''right wing'' thing. It's a pro-life thing. Dare I say, it's a Catholic pro-life thing. Or...would that be too judgmental?
So let's take everyone out of their little boxes and stop labeling.
Cool?
BTW, I would think that a publication that calls itself "America" would present arguments that are consistent with the clear teaching of the "American" Bishops.
Also, for those who oppose the President's invitation to speak at Notre Dame, a question. If we want to persuade pro-abortion folks that they are wrong, don't we have to talk to them (which involves listening as well). Since the president is not a Catholic, we cannot just invoke the Magisterium. Could not Notre Dame and pro life advocates work to make sure the President gets to hear our arguments on his visit, and not merely our condemnations. If we do not have the power or the votes, don't we need to persuade, not merely damn?
Right wing, left wing, blah, blah, blah. This is NOT about politics! I have absolutely no problem respecting President Obama as the leader of our country. He's not one party's president, he is OUR president. If he was invited to my alma mater to speak, I would have no problem with that. It is a public university and in no way called to uphold the values and teachings of the Church. But that is a far cry from honoring him at Notre Dame-- a university named in honor of Our Lady. I wonder how she would feel about the school honoring someone who so clearly defies everything she was about...
Mr. Winters, I will not call you or anyone else who supports President Obama's visit to Notre Dame "bad Catholics." I can't throw that stone. But I certainly will think (and pray) twice before asking the teens in our parish to consider Notre Dame if they want to attend a Catholic university. And I will pray for you and the leaders of Notre Dame to more fully embrace the faith which should not bow to the "demands of the world," but rather focus on the demands of the One who is greater than the world. Because that's what should set Catholic schools, publications, and leaders apart.
Before writing again:
1. Review paragraphs 2270-2275 of the Catechism.
2. Paragraph 118 of the ''Compendium of Social Doctrine of the Church'' and
3. Paragraph 22 of ''Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship."
This link will provide the truth about how 'active' the President has been regarding abortion, stem cell research, etc. since he came into office. This may help you to see why 'we are foaming at the mouth'. (Interesting image albeit a tad theatrical).
http://www.lifenews.com/obamaabortionrecord.html
"Of course, Dr. Glendon, like the University of Notre Dame, is a source of pride for all Catholics, not just for conservatives."
I'm neither a political, social nor economic 'conservative'. I'm neither a Democrat nor a Republican [registered Independent.] I'm just Catholic.
I have not viewed Notre Dame University with pride for over 25 years - but rather with shame.
Over the last 25 to 30 years many Notre Dame grads of my personal acquaintance from all over the U.S. have gradually come to the conclusion that on many issues, Notre Dame is Catholic in just about name only.
I've personally heard from over half a dozen of their alums here in my local area state that Notre Dame has now seen the last donation to their Alum and other funds --- till Notre Dame gets in step with at least the most teachings of the Catholic Church. [I personally don't see that happening any time soon.]
And of course I'm not in the least surprised to see an article such as Winter's defending Notre Dame over this issue in America. [I'm Jesuit trained myself. LOL]
As previously stated, I'm just Catholic. I can easily see the objective evil in a Catholic Unversity honoring any man who is openly and avowedly in favor of partial birth abortion. Even a child should be able to see the patent malevolence in Partial Birth abortion.
As Christians - we are supposed to oppose evil - not honor its purveyors. Evidently Winters cannot see what the average child can usually see.
Desmond
It seems that you are personally opposed to the official teachings of our Catholic Church with regards to abortion, contraception, homosexuality and eugenics (which constitute the core beliefs or convictions of President Obama) because that's the only logical reason that you are so excited and joyful about President Obama giving the commencement speech at Notre Dame. It's no wonder, then!
I can't help but be reminded of our Lord's saying about wolves in sheeps' clothing!
May our good God shower you and President Obama with His merciful grace!
Why not just own up to the fact that your magazine doesn't give the least twit about the integrity of Catholic Church teaching as it is stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you are going to be making your living by undermining the Catholic Church's dogmas and teachings, you should not call yourself a Catholic (with a capital C) magazine. Either you are or you're not. To whom are you trying to appeal, or perhaps who are you trying to appease? Too bad--you could use your talents to build up the Church. Instead, I'm afraid your readership is going to take a dive.
You are soo earnest in earning admirers for being relevant...what a contribution to AMERICA.... Sean your diatribe against anyone who disagrees with your opinion is evidence of your lack of objectivity. It sadly reveals a lack of authenticity.. Be humble Sean
Mr. Winters, would you have a problem if, hypothetically, Notre Dame invited our first female U.S. President who claimed to be an avowed racist and was ''pro-choice'' on the slavery quesiton? Would you think it appropriate to call her an inspiring person and include the fact that she is making history as our first female President and bestow on her an honorary degree? If this hypothetical female President promised to do everything in her power to roll back the civil rights of African-Americans and vowed to only appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices who favored the legality of slavery, would you be so quick to defend the presence of such a racist on the Notre Dame Campus, a visit which would honor such a woman? I think not.
Thank you for linking to my post about Archbishop Chaput's visit to Detroit. It led me to google the Catholic News Agency's article in which they state:
****CNA was able to acquire an audio recording of the event in question and found that rather than calling for a letter writing campaign, the archbishop suggested it as a response to the situation.
Responding to a question about how “faithful Catholics should respond to [general] situations like [Notre Dame’s invitation to Obama], Chaput suggested, “Protest, write letters, express your concern, do it charitably.” He further reminded the audience that “Jesus said we need to be like sheep among wolves” and to “act like Christians when we disagree: to be bold, courageous, and clear, but charitable.”****
I have updated my post to reflect what CNA has offered since the info which reached me, came by word of mouth and could certainly have gotten skewed. I'll stand by CNA's account which is based on audio from the event. Perhaps you would consider updating your post.
Our nation, with Obama at the helm is condoning mass murder of babies inside their own mother's wombs, research on embryos, funding throughout the world for abortion. We need to see abortion for what it is...the killing of an innocent life...a sin. Thankfully, Jesus is there to forgive and save, but our laws need to reflect the laws of God. They need to inform our society...esp its youth of what is right and wrong. Our president needs to stand by the Laws of God- they are our guide to a nation of happiness and success. Our Catholic Universities need to stand by the Laws of God and have the courage to see the Truth. Death hurts - abortion kills...and the consequences don't change just because our laws permit it. God's Law does not permit this and that is the Law we have to reckon with deep in our hearts. We need to hear those Laws of love which includes a respect for all life from conception to grave. Please, all of you, see, see, see what you can't. Ask for the Truth from God. Pray, He will show you by giving you a heart full of love for both mother and child and both can live within that love!! Fight for presidents that will fight for BOTH a total pro-life movement and help for the people along their path in life. It can be done!!
As someone who believes completely what the Catholic Church teaches (and is therefore opposed to a Catholic institution's honouring of a politician espousing legislation opposed to this teaching) yet is largely supportive of social democratic policies I am first and foremost somewhat annoyed by your constant referring to people like me as ''the right''.
Secondly, I am profoundly mystified by the fact that you accuse this ''right'' of judgmentalism. It is surely not judgmental to say that Pres. Obama's attitudes regarding life and the family are in conflict with Christian belief and is not something of which we can approve. That is simply a fact. He has increased federal funding for abortion and has stated that he would not want his daughters ''punished with a baby''.
In fact, you are open to the accusation of judgmentalism yourself when you state that the ''right'' is ''crazy'', ''uncharitable'', and ''frothing-at-the-mouth unreasonable'' regarding Pres. Obama.
As to the contributions made on this blog, "America" clearly states the following: "The opinions expressed here are those of our contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of America magazine." Some may nevertheless argue that "America" is tarred by association with Mr. Winters, or by other contributors who do not meet one's definition of "Catholic." I disagree.
The magazine has provided a forum for discussion that can sometimes be vigorous, as this thread can attest to, but there have been many responses above that have provided cogent and rational counterpoints to those made by Mr. Winters, all made without the need to make blanket assertions about an individual's--or a magazine's--Catholicity. Folks, it's a blog, and heated, free-wheeling discussion often takes place in blogs. That's both good and bad. But the discussion is often educational, as many of the responsive posts here have been.
It would not sadden me a bit if BO declined the invite. He would however be mistaken that the Catholic Church "teaches that it is better that a woman die from the complications of pregnancy than that she be allowed to prevent the implantation of an fertilized egg". Where did you get this?
Are you Jesuit trained?
giving glory to God and enjoying everlasting happiness.There is as the Holy Father Benedict 16th said intinsic evil that is knowable and that abortion and other life destuctive acts
rise above all other considerations including other social
issues. No sane individual would invite Pot Pot,Hitler, Stalin
or other mass murderer to the honorarium table and the last I heard the killing of babies born alive or in the womb is murder.
You realize Jesus was a radical, a real right wing radical
that believed the Truth was worth giving one's life for and I believe if He was present at the abomination of honoring a mass murderer he would take out the whips as He did in the Temple and overturn the podium and the tables and whip those that would scandalize the innocent and His Church.
May God Bless You and hold you in the Palm of His Hand.
Ralph Benware,
ralphbenware@yahoo.com
It certainly pays for them and promotes them.
Sad that any Catholic would write a screed like this, sadder still that there are those that support such rabid attacks on the faith.
Here is where I get the teaching that the Catholic Church would rather women die from a pregnancy than that they prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg. If a woman who has been told that another pregnancy could kill her were to be raped and that rape occurred after the test showed she had ovulated, a Catholic hospital would not dispense Plan B to her despite the danger to her life that might result from a pregnancy.
Maybe this is a distortion, but it is the same kind of distortion to which Obama's beliefs and actions are subjected.
Obama, like most people actually, is not convinced that life begins at conception the way the Catholic Church understands it. On top of that, he is a lawyer, and lawyers often see things in legislation that the rest of us miss. They then cannot in good conscience support that legislation even though the sentiments underlying it are good. When those with good intention see their poor quality legislation opposed, they accuse those who oppose it of being baby killers, etc.
In another example of distortion, Obama's repealing the "Mexico City Policy" is a far cry from imposing a version of China's one-child policy on the developing world, but people who hate him react as if it were. It allows agencies to discuss abortion with women who in many cases would be attempting abortion anyway. It does not mean that the agencies are recommending abortion or that the US wants them to recommend abortion.
Why would the most recognized Catholic University in America invite and bring on campus an individual who, in less than 100 days in the CEO of Amercia office make his position of misunderstanding on human values and dignities a priority ? Wake up Catholic America, wake up Notre Dame!
Tony, I was imprecise, it was a ruling, although rulings are transmitted in majority and concurring opinions. Regardless, there is no Obama policy that has caused these abortions to occur - only an unwillingness to appoint justices who would overturn federal supremacy in equal protection legislation in the name of stopping "judicial activism". Most would call that protecting and defending the Constitution and preventing mob rule at the state level. Before he is done, Obama will likely advance and sign legislation actually recognizing fetal rights at some stage in the pregnancy - a move that the right to life movement has been unwilling or unable to do. He will likely do more to protect the unborn than Bush ever did.
I have found it especially offensive that many people have said that the University of Notre Dame knows nothing about Catholicism anymore. Can you really judge the quality of an entire EDUCATION (both in the classroom and in the experiences) by ONE decision? Do we hold one another (or even the Church--see sex abuse scandal) to the same standard? I personally grew tremendously in both my faith and my understanding of Catholism at Notre Dame (even gasp! my understanding of the dignity of the human person and of all life)...and these lessons came from my experiences of serving others, from my friends, professors, mentors, residence hall staff, and priests.
I honestly don't even want to talk about the commencement address; I see both sides. But I think the greater scandal is the delight people seem to take in ripping one another to shreds. This is not the gentle spirit of "fraternal correction."
I hope we can do better with this "dialogue".
Also, Francis, George W. Bush was the commencement speaker (recieving an honorary degree) during his first year in office (2001). I'm pretty sure ND has invited every president in the last 20 years or so. Not all accept.
Try this parable,
A man had two sons. He said to the first, ''Put an end to child sacrifice.'' The first son said ''No, parents should be free to make their own decisions.'' So he went to the second, as said ''Put an end to child sacrifice.'' The second son said ''Yes, Yes, everyday Yes,'' but for 35 years, despite constant struggle -- and all to often ,human pettiness and sinfulness, accomplished little.
Meanwhile, the first son insisted that child sacrifice, while "tragic," was a fundamental human right, that all existing legal restrictions on child sacrifice should be lifted and the government should pay for child sacrifice at home and abroad. Which son did the will of the Father?
1. To give a speech.
2. To be honored with a degree.
Mr. Obama is a man who in a few short weeks as president is responsible for the murder of countless through his pumping millions of dollars into the worldwide abortion industry.
Three Cheers for Notre Dame - lets honor man and allow him to teach our students about murdering children in the womb.
Notre Dame and abortion a great combination!!!!!
Fact is, what President Obama has done in just the last two months - enlarging food stamp benefits, extending subsidies for children's healthcare, punishing pay discrimination against women (inc. working mothers) - will do more to reduce the abortion rate than anything the supposedly "pro-life" Bush Administration ever did.
I'm proud of Notre Dame.
Do you honestly believe that Jesus wanted us to honor those responsible for the death of innocents?
I don't wish Obama ill. He might be a nice man to have over for dinner, and if I were to meet with him I'm sure (and I hope) that I would treat him very respectfully.
Giving him an honorary Doctorate of Laws, though, is to hail him as a legal leader, and yet, as Catholics, we believe that he is leading us down a path towards increasing systematic murder in the United States. Do we really honor that?
Notre Dame must chose whether it serves God or Mammon.
Let the college invite who they want to speak (nobody's being forced to listen) and save the acute self-righteousness for a battle worth fighting.
Since we are throwing around all the rules here to condemn some as less than faithful Catholics - how about the old "judge not less ye be judged" thingie - ya know - that stuff that Jesus Our Savior said?
While I agree with the Church's teachings on abortion my faith also tells me that there are many evils in this world. To be silent about those other evils - torture, war, capital punishment, turning away from the poor, while addressing only the abortion issue makes no sense to me. I would find the condemnation of Obama more convincing if the same condemnation had been applied to the horror of Pres Bush's policy of torture. The truth here is my friends, George Bush did nothing for us on the abortion issue - but he did support torture of people. This characterization of Obama as the wicked man - while their is silence over the moral failings of the Bush administration is incomprehensible.
their leader's answers to some issues but gave him the benefit of the doubt because of all the 'positives' he brought to the table.
History teaches us that when innocents are being slaughtered,
all doubts should be acted on vigourously and absolutely no benfit should be afforded. And certainly no awards from institutions which supposedly defend fundamental principles of Christianity..... 'thou shalt not kill.....' 'suffer the little children....' 'he who causes an innocent to lose his soul would better not have been born.....'.
Lauding a preacher of 'death to the unborn if that's what you decide' is simply leading innocents astray. This President is being warmly received, honoured, awarded by a so called Catholic Institution. It isn't a discussion forum.
Thou Shalt not Kill ...., right wing fundamentalism? No. The Word of God.
murder is murder - plain and simple - whether it is in a gulag or an abortion clinic.
Seamus
It is not "right" or "left" wing. This is a faith, not a political party. There is only "Catholic" and "Not Catholic". Those who support pro-choice platforms fall into the "not Catholic" category. Simple as that.
The Pharisee comment is narrow-minded and entirely incorrect. Pharisees were judgmental for their own sakes and were obsessed with minute details of the law more than the important aspects of faith. Matters of life or death for the unborn are not as trivial as "thou shalt not enter the church from the left side." These matters cut to the very core of our faith: protect the innocent and love all people, even the unborn.
I guess what it comes down to is Notre Dame can choose whether to be Catholic or to be "part of the life of the nation." Sometimes you can't do both and this makes it clear which side Notre Dame chooses.
Over turned the Mexico City Policy- supplying tax-payer funding for contraception in foreign lands and freeing up money from organizations like Planned Parenthood to propagate abortion.
Promised to sign FOCA or (a piecemeal equivalent thereof) which will remove ALL restrictions the states have placed on abortions including term restrictions. Also implying that infanticide is permissible on infants who survive abortion.
Rescinded the ''Conscience Clause'' that protected health care works and Doctors from participating in any procedure, obviously abortion, which is in violation of their conscience.
Might I remind you that assisted suicide is legal is two states.
Declared on the W.H web page under heading ''LGBT support'' his intention to overturn the ''Defense of Marriage Act'' approved by congress and signed by Pres. Clinton.
Assembled the most pro abortion cabinet of all time. Most of his appointees have direct ties to ''Emily's List'', NARAL, and Planned Parenthood. Sebilias to "Tiller the Killer".
As a Catholic conservative or otherwise, what does the above record, in less than 100 days have to do with Catholicism?
NOTHING!
Add Comments (registration required)
* The opinions expressed here are those of our contributors, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial opinion of America magazine.