In Awe of Genocide

That's Hillary Clinton for you. She seems to have a thing for lunatics who favor eugenics-driven ethnic cleansing. Specifically, she's a Margaret Sanger fan.

In a speech to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Awards Gala, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that she admires "Margaret Sanger enormously, her courage, her tenacity, her vision." Secretary Clinton said she is "really in awe of" Sanger for Sanger's early work in Brooklyn, New York, "taking on archetypes, taking on attitudes and accusations flowing from all directions."

They took a whole baseball team away from Marge Schott for saying less offensive stuff than this.

She told the abortion movement representatives assembled there, "The 20th century reproductive rights movement, really embodied in the life and leadership of Margaret Sanger, was one of the most transformational in the entire history of the human race."

Yeah. Just like the Holocaust was a transformational movement for Judaism.

The sexual revolution brought about in part by Sanger's promotion of contraception and abortion, Mrs. Clinton said, has "ushered in demographic and social changes that have brought us closer to gender equality than at any time."

Translation: If someone wants to exterminate an entire race, it's ok as long as we get some movement on that glass ceiling thing.

Despite this, she said that the work of Planned Parenthood and the movement inspired by Sanger "is not done." Linking birth control and women's "empowerment," she said, "women and girls are still the majority of the world's poor, unschooled, unhealthy, and underfed."

The similarities to the Ragsdale comments are astounding. All that was left was for Hillary to invoke God's blessing on these monstrosities.

"This is and has been for many years a matter of personal and professional importance to me, and I want to assure you that reproductive rights and the umbrella issue of women's rights and empowerment will be a key to the foreign policy of this administration."

Translation: The President is going to do everything he can to destroy children all over the planet.

LifeSite has the whole story. There's other stuff there, but you get the picture, I think.

Too bad Hillary didn't bother to drop some praise for this Sanger gem:

"We should hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social service backgrounds and with engaging personalities ... We don't want the word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population."

That Marge. What a "vision."

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.

Now Batting on the ND/ Obama Issue: Jersey Archbishop John Myers

NJ.com has a bit on Archbishop Myers of Newark's views of the Obama invite.

It pained me to hear that one of the symbols of Catholic education in our nation, Notre Dame University, had extended an invitation to President Obama to speak at its commencement," Myers said in a statement.

"When we extend such honors to people who do not share our respect and reverence for life in all stages, and give them a prominent stage in our parishes, schools and other institutions, we unfortunately create the perception that we endorse their public positions on these issues. We cannot justify such actions, and the Bishops have stated so clearly and strongly," he said.

This second paragraph is significant. I've seen a lot of what-not about how the majority of Catholics voted for Obama, despite the comments made by so many bishops in the lead-up to the election. Such news pieces, including this invitation, have been spun by some to say that the abortion issue for Catholics is no longer germane. The latest Gallup numbers didn't help. This is why the invitation and honor are a scandal, in the Catholic sense of the term.

A Stunning Display of Episcopal Unity

I have been stunned by the reaction to the invitation of the infanticidal President Obama to be honored at the Notre Dame graduation. Bishop after bishop has spoken out against it. It is right that they do so, since, after all, they are bishops. A bishop is an episcopos, literally an overseer, making sure that the gospel is proclaimed in fidelity to the truth. Thus it is entirely appropriate that they do this.

Nevertheless, it is surprising. What has happened? I think that what has happened is that they have been shocked to discover how disregarded they are. No one likes to be ignored or thought useless, but that is how most Catholics have thought of them. In 2004, they issued a document on Catholics in political life which was really rather weak, giving plenty of cover to those who wanted to continue to vote for pro-choice candidates. If they could find enough proportionate reasons--probably by misunderstanding the nature of proportionate reasons--they could pat themselves on the back as being broad-minded, non-single-issue voters, and not worry. That has been the effect of the document. Nevertheless, there was one strong part: Catholic institutions were not to honor pro-choice politicans.

A sop. A morsel. The merest hint of a concession to the sensibilities of those of us who believe that human life ought to be protected. A person's a person, no matter how small, after all. The bishops gave us a little--at least we wouldn't be heartbroken again, seeing Catholic institutions honoring those who oppose us. But, lo and behold, the University of Notre Dame, the pre-eminent Catholic institution in the land (just ask, they'll tell you so), says "nuts to you, bishops!"

No one likes to be superfluous. I think the reaction from so many bishops is driven by this realization, that if they don't respond strongly this time, there won't be a next time. No one will ever even ask what they think, and the Catholic Church in America will become just another social club, sort of a low-church Anglicanism with worse hymns.

Bishop Nickless from Sioux City, IA on ND/Obama

CatholicOnline brings us yet another shepherd expressing his dissatisfaction over the Obama invitation. Bishop Nickless had this as part of a larger article, but it's pretty direct and makes it clear that he's not real happy:

I know many of you join me in surprise and anger that the University of Notre Dame - which for many is “the” example of a Catholic University - through its president, Father John Jenkins, has invited the most pro-abortion president of the United States not only to give the commencement address this year, but also to receive an Honorary Law Degree. . .

This is truly a sad day for the famous university dedicated to our Blessed Mother. . .

Catholic institutions of higher learning must always be places where the Catholic values we hold so dearly will always be supported and promoted - not where the culture of death is allowed to be honored or valued. Let us pray for those who work so hard to keep our Catholic institutions truly Catholic in all they do to promote the gospel of life.

And this is where I've found my thoughts drifting more and more amongst all this. What exactly are the Catholic values left at ND? There is a strong emphasis on service, sure. What distinguishes that emphasis from the sort of humanism mentioned by Bishop Doran? I'm not sure I know anymore, as there seems to be little or no mention of the Faith or the obligations that go along with it.

Now It's Bishop Rhoades from Harrisburg

I got this from the blog Stopping 2 Ask 4 Directions. Bishop Rhoades's objections have been confirmed by LifeSite and the Cardinal Newman Society. I couldn't find the actual text of His Excellency's letter, but you can get the general idea:

President Obama’s policies, and those of his administration, on abortion and embryonic stem cell research violate the moral law and Church teachings on the sanctity of human life and dignity of the person.

The response also mentions that Bishop Rhoades agrees with Bishop D'Arcy and the 2004 statement from the USCCB.

It is disheartening and distressing when an institution that is regarded as Catholic, such as Notre Dame, fails to follow the guidelines set forth by the Bishops of the Catholic Church, especially in these vital moral matters. It is not political nor partisan to stand for the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person. President Obama clearly does not stand for or advance the cause of the defenseless unborn and their mothers and families. This is the tragic reality we must come to terms with as Catholics living in an increasingly secular environment.

Note the bolded part there. I am pretty amazed at how many folks have tried to make this into a Republican/Democrat issue. Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me that such comparisons would only be legit if it was also at least tacitly admitted that a single party had so tightly identified itself with the culture of death as to make it an inseparable part of that group's identity. Otherwise, there shouldn't be anything wrong with acknowledging Pres. Obama for what he is.

I'm just sayin'.

By the way, for those who want a more robust view of Bishop Rhoades's views, check out this article he wrote on "Disturbing Advances for the Culture of Death."

I Was Waiting For This: Bishop Martino on ND/Obama

Everybody here knows that we love the Shepherd of Scranton. I figured we'd be hearing from him on this, and lo, he did not disappoint. Bishop Martino and Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty have a letter to Fr. Jenkins posted on the diocesan web site:

The numerous, repeated and extensive anti-life positions taken by President Obama merit his recognition as an unequalled, prominent proponent of the culture of death in our nation.

Good point. Why aren't we recognizing him for what he really is?

Given her Catholic identity, the University of Notre Dame’s receiving the President as the 2009 commencement speaker and her bestowing on him an honorary doctorate are truly shameful, a scandal to the Church and a major blow to hundreds of thousands who have sacrificed to bring forth a culture of life in our midst.

Amen!

Through its President, His Eminence Cardinal George, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops acted swiftly and consistently to engage President Obama on human life issues. Your reported comment that “I think if he is going to reconsider his views, I think Notre Dame is the best possible place to begin that process” demeans, we believe, the intelligent urgency exercised by the nation’s bishops in this matter.

Of course it's demeaning, especially as there will be no such engagement. If there was going to be some kind of process to encourage his "reconsideration," he wouldn't be getting an honorary degree soaked in hypocrisy.

Moreover, your argument that honoring President Obama by granting a degree to him “is not intended to condone or endorse his position on specific issues regarding life” is no more than a blatant rejection of United States Bishops’ assessment of what Catholic institutions do when they so act. Their 2004 statement is absolutely clear.

And yet, there are people still arguing this.

What comes next has not been mentioned by any other bishops and was quite unexpected for me.

“Bishops have a particular responsibility to promote Catholic universities, and especially to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity, including the protection of their Catholic identity in relation to civil authorities.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae, no. 28) We are convinced that Notre Dame will one day very much regret rebuffing not only her own Bishop D’Arcy but also the USCCB’s efforts to fulfill their responsibilities in her regard.

Just a reminder to Jenkins that a higher authority promulgated rules on what a Catholic university should be way before the USCCB did. And for anyone who is wondering what this is about, I invite you to read the full document cited by Bishop Martino and acknowledge the fact that ND has been in open defiance of the Holy See on the issue of what a Catholic uniersity should be for almost 20 years.

The letter concludes:

Praying this conviction will prove untrue and that Notre Dame will immediately and resoundingly proclaim her Catholic identity in word and act . . .

So pray we all, Your Excellencies. So pray we all.

"Abortion is a Blessing"

Just when I try to give the Episcopalians a pat on the back, something like this comes along.

The Stand Firm site for Traditional Anglicans brings us the story of Katherine Ragsdale, an Episcopalian minister recently appointed as the president and dean of the Episcopal Divinity School.

For the folks who try to demean the term "pro-abortion" by saying there is no such thing, perhaps you should take a look at Ms. Ragsdale's words:

How will we know when our work is done? I suspect we’ll know it when we see it. But let me give you some sure indicators that it isn’t done yet:

- When doctors and pharmacists try to opt out of providing medical care, claiming it’s an act of conscience, our work is not done.

Let me say a bit more about that, because the religious community has long been an advocate of taking principled stands of conscience – even when such stands require civil disobedience. We’ve supported conscientious objectors, the Underground Railroad, freedom riders, sanctuary seekers, and anti-apartheid protestors. We support people who put their freedom and safety at risk for principles they believe in.

But let’s be clear, there’s a world of difference between those who engage in such civil disobedience, and pay the price, and doctors and pharmacists who insist that the rest of the world reorder itself to protect their consciences – that others pay the price for their principles.

Frightening, is it not? Basically, Ragsdale says that if you think that abortion is morally wrong, you shouldn't go into the field of women's health. Why not? Because women's health means being able to have abortions. And you should be forced to provide them. Abortion is an unlimited right that trumps any of your own petty concerns. You know, like babies dying or worrying about your soul burning in hell.

It gets even more nightmarish, though:

Finally, the last sign I want to identify relates to my fellow clergy. Too often even those who support us can be heard talking about abortion as a tragedy.

Then follows, of course, the rationalization of rape-necessary abortions. Then babies with birth defects. Then abortions "needed" because the woman lacks "social supports." These deaths are all blessings. Then, the coup de grace:

And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight -- only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.

In other words, abortions just for the hell of it/because I said so.

These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

And for all those who are assisting in abortions, whether doctor, nurse, receptionist, etc.

You’re engaged in holy work.

She actually said that. Ponder for a moment what sort of person it would take to make this statement. Then pray for that person's soul.

Bishop Robert Lynch of Tampa Blogs Re: ND/Obama

I wish my bishop had a blog.

Anyways, here's His Excellency's comments on the commencement invite:

Finally, Notre Dame University has created quite a stir by announcing that at the Spring Commencement ceremony they have invited President Barack Obama to give the graduation address and receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Grrr. It's the University of Notre Dame.

It is a very prestigious platform to offer a President who is leading the battle for an expansion of abortion rights which may ultimately end up being unparalleled in recent history. Early “markers” are not encouraging in this regard but hope needs to spring eternal . . .

I wholeheartedly agree.

[W]hile Notre Dame may have acted way too early and too generously, I am more alarmed that the rhetoric being employed is so uncivil and venomous that it weakens the case we place before our fellow citizens, alienates young college-age students who believe the older generation is behaving like an angry child and they do not wish to be any part of that, and ill-serves the cause of life.

I wish His Excellency would have given some elaboration on what he considers the "uncivil" and "venomous" rhetoric involved here. The strongest denuncations I've seen are coming from his brother bishops. The laity seem to have been more shocked and saddened than anything else. The bishops are ticked off.

As to the young college crowd, they might think exactly as Bishop Lynch suggests. My response to that is that this is probably the first time in their lives that they can remember such a strong stand being taken for the teachings of the Church. It's a jolt for them and one that's much-needed given the Gallup numbers previously discussed. This is serious stuff and young Catholics need to realize the Faith isn't some sort of cultural social club.

Bishop Lynch closes on a pretty depressing note re: Bishop D'Arcy:

I am especially sad for Bishop John D’Arcy, bishop of the diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in which Notre Dame is located. For almost two decades he has supported the University and loved the University, even when he felt it necessary to correct the University privately which I can assure you he did. Now in the waning days of his tenure as bishop there, he is told of the invitation shortly before its public announcement and in words clearly laced with pain has had to announce that he will choose not attend the final commencement of his time as bishop. What sadness for this good man as well.

I'm glad Bishop Lynch brought this up. Does it strike anyone else that the ND administration knew how D'Arcy would react and basically sprang this on him sort of last minute? It certainly comes off that way.

An Outbreak of Sanity Amongst the Episcopalians

Taking a break from the madness at ND, I am pleased to find an emanation of common sense from West Coast Episcopalians. From a CNN story no less.

Episcopal minister defrocked after becoming a Muslim

I heard about this lady a while back, before I started the blog. Basically, she was an Episcopalian minister who decided three years ago that she was also Muslim.

Yeah, I know. Up is Down. War is Peace. Ignorance is Strength. Freedom is Slavery.


Redding said her conversion to Islam was sparked by an interfaith gathering she attended three years ago. During the meeting, an imam demonstrated Muslim chants and meditation to the group. Redding said the beauty of the moment and the imam's humbleness before God stuck with her.

"It was much more this overwhelming conviction that I needed to surrender to God and this was the form that my surrender needed to take," she recalled. "It wasn't just an episode but .... was a step that I wasn't going to step back from."

Ten days later Redding was saying the shahada -- the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Mohammad as his prophet.

So she converted to Islam, right?

But Redding said she felt her new Muslim faith did not pose a contradiction to her staying a Christian and minister.

"Both religions say there's only one God," Redding said, "and that God is the same God. It's very clear we are talking about the same God! So I haven't shifted my allegiance."

So we're talking about Jesus, then? He is God and all.

You've got to love the imam's rationale on all this:

The imam at the Islamic Center in Seattle, Washington, where Redding prays said she brings the best of both traditions to her beliefs.

"Coming from an example of wanting to be Christ-like and coming from the perspective of wanting to follow the best example -- the example of our prophet Mohammed -- it all makes sense then," Benjamin Shabazz said.

So Mohammed is the epitome of being Christ-like. You would have thought that Christ would have been the best example of this, but hey, I'm just a dumb Christian.

The Episcopal Church also rejected Redding's religious choice.

"The church interprets my being a Muslim as 'abandoning the church,' " she said. "And that [there] comes an understanding that you have to be one or the other, and most people would say that. It simply hasn't been my experience that I have to make a choice between the two."

The Diocese of Rhode Island, where Redding was ordained, told her to leave either her new Muslim faith or the ministry. A diocese statement said Bishop Geralyn Wolf found Redding to be "a woman of utmost integrity. However, the Bishop believes that a priest of the Church cannot be both a Christian and a Muslim."

I'm not sure what sort of integrity this woman allegedly has. She's claiming to be both Christian and Muslim. Common sense takes this and has no choice but to recognize her as a hypocrite. I hope that this sort of nonsense isn't the beginning of a trend. Recall that we recently had Gene Robinson spouting off about the need to embrace logical contradictions. Redding's use of reason seems to use the same principles.

The Flagship Catholic University in America

What school has the most claim to that label now?

Archbishop Hughes of New Orleans Weighs In

This one is particularly interesting. ND sent a good bit of aid to New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Even faced with something of an incentive to give Jenkins & Co. a break, Archbishop Hughes has decided to speak out anyway. This is probably the most balanced argument we've heard from anyone thus far. He starts out by acknowledging Pres. Obama's talents and expressing his own desire for this administration's success. However:

But dignity and equality belong also to our unborn brothers and sisters. We cannot compromise our Church's clear and unflagging opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell research by providing honors and a platform for those who deny the humanity and dignity of the most frail creatures in our midst. Nor can we accept the denial of conscience protection in the delivery of health or social services. I respect the office of the President . . . I pray for him. As Catholics we need to enter into civil debate with him on the fundamental issues on which we disagree. . . But we do not supply a platform or grant an honor to someone who not only is so wrong on such a fundamental issue but is aggressively pursuing policies which exclude the human rights of the unborn.

Simply wonderful. He does take a pretty sharp dig towards the end:

The University of Notre Dame used to be the flagship Catholic university in the United States. I regret that we are not experiencing that leadership and integrity.

And such is the reality. Jenkins has forfeited ND's right to such a claim. I don't know to whom this torch has been passed, but I am very sad about it.

Northwestern Indiana Humanist University

That's what Bishop Doran of Rockford, Il suggested as the new name for Notre Dame. This is probably the harshest assessment that we've seen to this point. The Cardinal Newman Society has the full text of His Excellency's letter to Fr. Jenkins:

I would ask that you rescind this unfortunate decision and so avoid dishonoring the practicing Catholics of the United States, including those of this Diocese. Failing that, please have the decency to change the name of the University to something like, “The Fighting Irish College” or “Northwestern Indiana Humanist University.”

That's pretty bad, but +Doran isn't done yet:

Though promotion of the obscene is not foreign to you, I would point out that it is truly obscene for you to take such decisions as you have done in a university named for our Blessed Lady, whom the Second Vatican Council called the Mother of the Church.

Which brings up another point. There's a lot of crap being peddled right now by folks asserting that it's almost an obligation for ND to invite the Obamas of the world to speak. Obviously, ND is supposed to be a school devoted to the Blessed Virgin. Does anybody really think that the Mother of God wants to provide such people wth a forum?

Dr. Francis Beckwith, Visiting Fellow at ND, On the Obama Invite

Dr. Beckwith is a pretty famous convert and former President of the Evangelical Theological Society. I wonder if the ND administration has considered the potential ecumenical backlash from our pro-life Protestant brethren over such a scandalous event. Considering the deaf ear turned to the bishops thus far, I'm guessing no.

Here's the nutshell version of Dr. Beckwith's views as provided by First Things:

Why then would the University of Notre Dame bestow an honorary doctorate of laws on someone who for his entire public life has enthusiastically fought for a segment of the human population, the unborn, to remain permanently outside the protections of the law? Not only that, he has also demanded that our legal regime require that his fellow citizens, including Catholics, underwrite the destruction of these prenatal human beings. And not only that, he is right now preparing to remove by executive order protections that were put in place so that pro-life physicians, nurses, medical students, and others in the health care field may not be forced to participate in abortions or be discriminated against for refusing to do so or even harboring such beliefs.

This is an excellent question. The answer is quite clear:

Unless the university does not believe that the Church’s understanding of the moral law is true and knowable, it can no more in good conscience award an honorary doctorate of laws to a lawyer who rejects the humanity of the proper subjects of law than it could in good conscience award an honorary doctorate in science to a geocentric astronomer who rejects the deliverances of the discipline he claims to practice.

I'm uncertain of what other logical rationale could serve as the foundation for such an honor.

Anybody? Anybody?

Bueller?

Bishop Slattery of Tulsa, Come on Down!

You're the next Successor of the Apostles to condemn the Obama commencement invitation!

From the Tulsa World:

Bishop Edward J. Slattery of the Diocese of Tulsa has joined a national Catholic outcry over Notre Dame University’s decision to invite President Obama to speak at the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In a Tuesday letter, Slattery pleaded with the Notre Dame president, the Rev. John Jenkins, to withdraw the invitation and to cancel plans to honor Obama with an honorary doctoral degree.

“As you know,” Slattery wrote, “President Obama is aggressively promoting abortion on demand not only here in the United States but all over the world.”

He said that U.S. bishops in 2004 issued a statement that the Catholic community and Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.”

Geez. The hits just keep on coming. And a whole lot faster at that. Keep it going, Your Excellencies! Keep it going!

It Turns Out the Laity Are an Embarassment, Too

The latest Gallup numbers on the beliefs of American Catholics on abortion, stem cell research, and other issues are sickening.

The accompanying chart shows the percentage of Catholics and non-Catholics who find each of nine moral issues morally acceptable. Catholics are at least slightly more liberal than non-Catholics on the issues of gambling (an issue to which the Catholic church is not totally opposed), sex between an unmarried man and woman, homosexual relations, and having a baby out of wedlock. Catholics are essentially tied with non-Catholics on the moral acceptability of abortion, divorce, and stem-cell research using human embryos. Only on the death penalty are Catholics slightly less likely than non-Catholics to find the issue morally acceptable.

As much as I've enjoyed the recent commentary from our shepherds on this Obama thing, I hope very much that they will turn their collective resources to reforming and purging the laity next. Something tells me, though, that the laity swinging the numbers to the side of The Adversary here are not prone to listening.

The ND Pain Train Continues: Archbishop Nienstedt Protests

CatholicOnline has His Excellency's letter to Fr. Jenkins:

I write to protest this egregious decision on your part. President Obama has been a pro-abortion legislator. He has indicated, especially since he took office, his deliberate disregard of the unborn by lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research, by promoting the FOCA agenda and by his open support for gay rights throughout this country.

It is a travesty that the University of Notre Dame, considered by many to be a Catholic University, should give its public support to such an anti-Catholic politician.

I hope that you are able to reconsider this decision. If not, please do not expect me to support your University in the future.

Again, I just want to point out that Jenkins folded on the Vagina Monologues issue under much less pressure than what he's seeing now. And it was completely secular pressure at that. Now, he's got bishops coming out of the woodwork on what is basically a no-brainer. Will he listen? How highly does he value the praise of the secular mob?

Archbishop Dolan of NY: ND Made a Big Mistake

If you happen to be getting tired of my bringing this issue up, I'm sorry you feel that way. It's not just a personal thing (though it is to a large degree). This is a measuring stick to see how the Church will react when faced with wildly popular emissaries for the culture of death.

Anyways, Archbishop Dolan has entered the lists here, per CatholicOnline:

"They made a big mistake ... in an issue that is very close to the heart of Catholic world view, namely, the protection of innocent life in the womb, [Obama] has unfortunately taken a position very much at odds with the Church," Archbishop Timothy Dolan told host Charlie Sykes on the "Sunday Insight" program of Milwaukee station TMJ4.

And the chorus grows, as Jenkins's fingers press ever more tightly into his ears.

I Need to Pay More Attention: Cardinal George Slams ND

Right after wondering if Cardinal George will come out on this, I find that he already has. In spades.

It's all on LifeSite:

"So quite apart from the president's own positions, which are well known, the problem is in that you have a Catholic university - the flagship Catholic university - do something that brought extreme embarrassment to many, many people who are Catholic," said the cardinal.

"So whatever else is clear, it is clear that Notre Dame didn't understand what it means to be Catholic when they issued this invitation, and didn't anticipate the kind of uproar that would be consequent to the decision, at least not to the extent that it has happened," said George.

The Cardinal urged concerned Catholics "to do what you are supposed to be doing: to call, to email, to write letters, to express what's in your heart about this: the embarrassment, the difficulties."

His Eminence does a fine job of nut-shelling the opposition's views here, and I applaud his candor in doing so. Of course, the question remains as to whether or not Fr. Jenkins & Co. are paying attention.

On a side note, I'd like to point out something else Cardinal George said:

Cardinal George prefaced his remarks by noting that although he is the president of the USCCB, he does not have jurisdiction or authority over other bishops. His role, he indicated, nonetheless has "some moral authority, without any kind of jurisdiction or any sort of real authority."

I find this a very refreshing contrast to the somewhat prevelant opinion that holds up the national episcopal conferences as some sort of binding arm of the Magisterium. Sounds like Cardinal George has been talking to Bishop Martino.

Bishop Olmsted Is On A Roll

CNA has the story of a mass media campaign designed to bring lapsed Catholics back into the fold. Phoenix, which is Bishop Olmsted's diocese, was the starting point.

An estimated 92,000 inactive Catholics have come back to the Church in the last year thanks in large part to the groundbreaking Catholics Come Home television advertising campaign.

The promotional spots featured people and locations from around the Phoenix Diocese to promote the Church during prime time television. The cornerstone of the campaign, the Catholics Come Home Web site, addresses often misunderstood aspects of the faith.

“For those who had fallen away from the practice of their faith, it let them know that we want them to come home,” Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said.

The commercials, which ran this time last year, detail the good works of the Catholic Church throughout history. They also offer real-life testimonials of local fallen away Catholics explaining what turned them away and what drew them back.

“Phoenix was supposed to be this quiet little test,” said former Phoenician Tom Peterson, president and founder of Catholics Come Home based in Georgia. “Word went worldwide as soon as you launched.”

92,000. That's pretty good numbers. It also bears out the whole "If you preach it, they will come" cliche. There are a lot of folks who left the Church simply because they were driven away by the laxity of the faithful and the lack of sound doctrine taught from the pulpit. Get rid of that stuff, and folks will return.

Take a look at the breakdown.

Six months after the media campaign ended, a comprehensive analysis of its impact revealed a 22 percent increase in Mass attendance at nine sample parishes. Diocesan wide, the average increased Mass attendance — returned Catholics and new converts — was 12 percent. That’s despite a flat population growth in the diocese during that period.

So it's not all bad news. God bless all those who are working on this project.

Here's the web site. Check it out or email it to those you know who have need of a reversion to the Faith.

Bring It On! More Shepherds Sound Off Re: ND/Obama

A couple of more prelates have stated the obvious.

We've got a red hat on-board now. LifeSite has Cardinal DiNardo breaking out his own chastisements for the ND administration.

In his pastor newsletter over the weekend, Cardinal DiNardo said he found the commencement invitation "very disappointing."

He said that having a sitting president at a graduation ceremony is an honor, but he added that Notre Dame has a higher obligation to Catholic teaching.

"Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning," he explained.

About Obama's consistent pro-abortion record, Cardinal DiNardo said, "The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person."

Oh, and he also brought up the 2004 directive from the USCCB prohibiting these sorts of awards. I hope our shepherds continue to bring this up, if for no other reason than the high comedic value of Obama-supporters trying to get around the plain wording of the bishops.

Not only did His Eminence chime in, Bishop Aymond of Austin also had his own take on the issue:

Meanwhile, Texas Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin joined in the criticism and denounced the school for not "living up to its Catholic identity."

"In my opinion it is very clear that in this case the University of Notre Dame does not live up to its Catholic identity in giving this award and their leadership needs our prayerful support," he wrote in his newsletter.

"In the midst of such a sad situation, as Catholics we must continue to be pro-life and to proclaim with even greater strength the values of Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church," he continued.

As the list of condemnations grows, I wonder if Fr. Jenkins will have the fortitude to admit that he got this one wrong. So far, this whole thing has been blasted by the local ordinary and a roll call of pretty well-known guys from across the country, including a Cardinal now. Can't see any hierarchical support coming any time soon, and to be blunt, the opinions of the world's Doug Kmiecs don't mean squat. Jenkins crumbled under much less pressure on a much less significant issue in the past (the Vagina Monologues).

What would it take for him to admit that he was wrong? How many will have to point out his error before he overcomes his pride and repents?

Here's hoping that Cardinals George and Rigali will be delivering their own verbal beatdowns very soon. Is it to much to hope that the Holy Father will bring it up?

Would that be enough to make a difference?

More TBN/Angel/DayStar Weirdness

Now we've got Protestants with sacramentals.

On "The Healing Hour," I got to see a guy and his wife peddling some packets of "anointing oil." These packets were said to have the "corporate" power of a whole bunch of prayer letters that the oil pot had been sitting on for a while. Folks could get a packet of the oil, which would then serve as a "point of contact" for the person's faith to help them "release their anointing."

On a different show, Gregory Dickow was modeling a prayer shawl. Same "point of contact" stuff. No anointing or corporate prayers that I heard. Instead, the shawl would help you "place demands on your covenant with God." Even sans prayer shawl, this whole thing struck me as weird just because I don't see myself being in a position to "place demands" on God. In fact, I'm not sure hubris climbs any higher than that.

Then Jentezen Franklin was going around with salt packets for his congregation. The idea was that you mixed the packets of two spouses together as a blessing for the marriage. Or something like that.

Between the insistence of so many on being called bishops, to the return of ministerial vestments, to liturgical worship, I am amazed at how much Catholic stuff is catching on in Protestant circles. Even moreso, I am dumbfounded over the irony that this is the exact the sorts of stuff that you tend to hear "progressive" Catholics griping about and wanting to get rid of. Such people can rightfully be said to be more Protestant than the Protestants themselves.

The world is a very strange place.

Fr. Mitch Pacwa Just Chimed in on the ND/Obama Deal

If you don't know Fr. Pacwa, you should. He's a great example of what all Jesuits should be. Anyways, he has a show on EWTN called Threshold of Hope. In his opening monologue this evening, he addressed the President's commencement invitation.

Fr. Pacwa felt that the invitation and its acceptance were both "dishonorable." He focused a great deal on Obama's hypocrisy in taking ND's honorary degree, likening it to his taking a break from his show to accept an award from Planned Parenthood. I hadn't seen this angle brought up yet (though I'm sure many folks have done so, but the shoe certainly seems to fit.

Not that any of us should be shocked at presidential hypocrisy.

Fired Over Her Beliefs! (gasp!)

Basically, Bishop Morlino of Madison had to take a hardline with parish employee named Ruth Kolpack because of her beliefs. The Wisconsin State Journal article poses the question:

Martyr or heretic?

Let's take a look.

The termination came after Kolpack said she refused the bishop’s request to renounce a 2003 college thesis in which she argued for more gender-inclusive language at Masses and harshly criticized the Catholic hierarchy’s doctrine of only ordaining males.

Heretic.

She did not think her thesis views risky at the time — Morlino had not yet arrived in Madison — although she admits now that her use of the term “religious evil” in reference to male-only ordination was “very strong.”

Heretic.

Kolpack had never had a conversation with Morlino prior to being called to his residence March 12. In a 10-minute meeting, she said he asked her to profess her faith, take a loyalty oath and renounce her thesis. She was willing to do only the first two.

Disobedient heretic.

Next question.

There's a debate here? Of course, the folks who want to challenge His Excellency's action do so based on secularism and emotion at the cost of their rational thought and any claim to logic. The comments under the article make this clear. I guess next the Church will have to keep people on who deny the sacraments (which she's sort of already doing) or the Divinity of Christ.

Let's pray for Bishop Morlino and those who have chosen to impugn his character and that of the Holy Father. Let's also pray for Ms. Kolpack, that she will reject her errors and embrace the Truth of Christ's Church.

Bishop Olmstead Condemns Obama Invite; Seeks Late Nomination to PAE Awesomeness Awards

Bishop Olmsted hasn't gotten a lot of play here, but that's not because we don't like him. He just hasn't had any major pub to discuss.

I don't know if this counts as major pub, but I was happy to see it. He sent a letter to the President of Notre Dame that was downright scathing:

It is a public act of disobedience to the Bishops of the United States. Our USCCB June 2004 Statement "Catholics in Political Life" states: "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions." No one could not know of the public stands and actions of the president on key issues opposed to the most vulnderable human beings.

It's not Bishop Olmsted's jurisdiction, but I think that the fact that a bishop from Phoenix has commented emphasizes the national profile of ND and how such an act is apt to create scandal and/or be manipulated by the media to signal Church support for Obama's policies.