Archbishop Beltran: 'Notre Dame has certainly turned against the Catholic Church'

That's pretty strong wording, I think.

Archbishop Beltran is the shepherd of Oklahoma City. CNA has reproduced the text of his letter to Fr. Jenkins:

I am appalled, disappointed and scandalized! Notre Dame University has certainly turned against the Catholic Church. I believe you have a moral responsibility to withdraw the invitation to President Barack Obama to be your commencement speaker in May. I also ask that you refrain from giving him any award whatsoever.

President Obama has publicly and ruthlessly affronted the Catholic Church of America during the short time of his presidency. His single-handed actions have totally reversed decades of successes of the Church in the prolife cause. Needless to say, he deserves no honor or recognition from Notre Dame or any other Catholic institution.

All this is precisely what needs to be said. However, even more important is what follows:

Please have the courage to take this extraordinary stand in view of the extraordinary scandal you have generated. May Our Lord and Savior and Giver of Life bless you during this penitential season of Lent.

Whatever you do, don't forget this last point. We should all be praying for Fr. Jenkins and for Pres. Obama throughout this entire situation. Don't let emotion of rhetoric get in the way of that.