On Notre Dame's Choice Of A Commencement Speaker
Bishop Robert J. Baker, S.T.D.
Nationwide astounded and upset Catholics have
reacted critically to the news that Notre Dame
University will host and honor President Barack
Obama at its May Commencement. I also feel the
need to express my deep disappointment over such
an invitation, extended by one of our nation's
Catholic Universities.
That a Catholic school should publicly
recognize a man who unashamedly promotes values
clearly opposed to the Church's teaching on the
Gospel of Life is a travesty to the legacy of
Catholic education. In his address at Catholic
University almost one year ago, Pope Benedict
XVI pointed out that the identity of Catholic
universities cannot be "equated simply with
orthodoxy of course content. It demands and
inspires much more: namely that each and every
aspect of your learning communities reverberates
within the ecclesial life of faith." To educate
students in fundamental moral principles cannot
be reconciled with subsequent bestowal of
tribute to a public official who supports and
promotes the values contrary to those
principles.
I support Bishop Thomas Olmsted's public stance on this matter, in
calling this situation "a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the
United States."
Finally, I endorse the response suggested by Professor Charles E. Rice,
and I continue to encourage all in the Birmingham Diocese to vigorously
react to this situation through prayer. Especially on May 17, the day of the
Commencement, those who can go to the Grotto on the University grounds,
should, as Professor Rice suggested, assemble and pray there. Those who live
far away should also join in prayer. We should not make public
demonstrations on that day that would be counterproductive, but we will
firmly refuse to compromise our Catholic and pro-life identity.
I encourage Catholics in the Diocese of Birmingham to continue praying
the prayer I composed for our president and public officials, even after
Lent. There is great need for prayer, not only for those in public office,
but also for the entire Catholic community. We have elected many men and
women who are opposed to the culture of life. We Catholics need also a
deeper conversion in our own lives before a change in our country will take
place.
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