John M. D'Arcy, bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, and John R. Quinn, retired archbishop of San Francisco, offer commentary on the University of Notre Dame's decision to award President Barack Obama an honorary degree at its spring commencement. Bishop D'Arcy looks at the controvery and its aftermath through the lens of his role as the local ordinary. Archbishop Quinn uses the occasion to reflect on what role the bishops should play on the national political scene.

Read "The Church and the University" by John M. D'Arcy.

Read "The Public Duty of Bishops" by John R. Quinn.

For more on President Obama's appearance at Notre Dame see our archive on the controversy.