I'd love to let this rest, but it's just impossible. Again, the problem is with the school administration, not President Obama. He came with a rather conciliatory message. And if I heard right, he wants a conscience clause in any health care bill provision to protect those who refuse to do abortions. That's good. However, his argument was based on the primacy of tolerance, that reasonable people can disagree over the abortion issue and that we all want to make abortions fewer. But the nice words belie the facts--he's making them easier to get. Say one thing; do another. I've come to expect that from him. He is no friend to our Catholic faith. Let his actions speak his values. (You can check out the text of his speech here.)
The real travesty was Fr. John Jenkins whose introductory speech sounded suspiciously like those French Revolution/Napoleonic prelates who threw the ancient faith overboard in their haste to make peace with the secular government. He lauded Obama in almost Messianic terms and then added that Catholics are against his position on abortion but other than that he really is the Messiah. One looks for a change in the library mosaic. (Check out his speech here (May 17 entry)). Really, it was quite pathetic as was the wording of the honorary law degree which formalized the worshipful words of the university president. A sad day for a once great university. And Catholics in this nation are now further divided.
Father I so agree as to Father Jenkins comments. I guess I was blessed that the talking heads were talking over the Student speakers. I am afraid what they might be saying. Again though maybe they said something good
Posted by: jh | May 17, 2009 at 06:20 PM
It was a blessing that Fr. Jenkins was, in effect, the face of Catholic America during the broadcast of the ceremony. I, too, would have liked to have heard the students but at least I had the pleasure of hearing another breath of fresh air, Fr. James Martin on CNN.
Posted by: AnPiobaire | May 18, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Most people that call themselves Catholic are ignorant of their faith. I wonder what Jenkins' excuse is? What are his homilies about? You have to feel sorry for the people that listen to him preach.
Posted by: LM | May 19, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Anpiobaire , I don't get your comment , wouldn't it have been more of a blessing if the world saw someone else as the face of Catholic America ? Namely , someone who actually practices the precepts of our faith loyally , that way maybe people wouldn't assume that every Catholic American is weak-backed.
( Actually , when I was typing that I think I began to see your point : is it that , if anybody should be associated with this and therefore take the fall it should be none other than Jenkins ? )
Posted by: Steven Barr | May 20, 2009 at 06:10 PM