tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post6451281076365079253..comments2024-03-27T13:12:39.343-04:00Comments on A Concord Pastor Comments: Notre Dame, our mother... Barack Obama, our president...Concord Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-75883513927779665802009-04-05T04:47:00.000-04:002009-04-05T04:47:00.000-04:00To me, the issue is not what Barack Obama says to ...To me, the issue is not what Barack Obama says to Notre Dame - it is what Notre Dame says to Barack Obama.<BR/>Whether the President adresses the issue of abortion is not important (and I would be shocked if he didn't - I think he believes he can change people's minds about any issue). What is important is that the representatives of the nation's most well known Catholic institution make it clear that the Catholic Church does not share his views on abortion.<BR/>Notre Dame needs to embrace this visit as an opportunity to change President Obama's heart and mind about abortion and other life issues, and not the other way around. Failure to address the President's record on life issues should not be viewed as politeness or respect - it will be seen as weakness.<BR/>I hope the President will also "support and encourages the diversity of opinions," as one response put it - and I hope many of the speakers are strong enough to express those beliefs to him.RVLambonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-7396158171421927262009-03-24T17:44:00.000-04:002009-03-24T17:44:00.000-04:00I wonder if Regis Philbin will weigh in on this. ...I wonder if Regis Philbin will weigh in on this. He is a major ND alum and booster.<BR/><BR/>I CANNOT envision that President Obama would say one word about abortion or stem cell research at ND graduation exercises. He has been a constitutional law professor. Perhaps he might touch on that experience in his talk, as well as the direction and progress he is making in his presidency on many fronts.<BR/><BR/>I think ND's choice of commencement speaker is terrific. Barack Obama has inspired so many young people and I would think in his speech he will continue to inspire young people to volunteer, to be involved, to work for the common good of our country. The Wall Street fiasco of greed, etc., certainly makes for an excellent backdrop of how not to go forward as ND students leave their hallowed halls.<BR/><BR/>RSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-23847815063405484192009-03-24T09:06:00.000-04:002009-03-24T09:06:00.000-04:00Notre Dame and the Holy Cross Fathers support and ...Notre Dame and the Holy Cross Fathers support and encourage the diversity of opinions, both cultural and religious. Stonehill College, ND's smaller sister school here in Massachusetts(where our daughter is a senior) promotes the same. Critical thinking is encouraged. It is believed that through learning to think critically in all aspects of life, one becomes a person of integrity. Professors are diverse in thought and belief. Catholic ideals and teachings are always upheld and discussed. Why wouldn't this apply to a commencement speaker as well? I'm pretty sure President Obama won't be promoting abortion rights at this ceremony. The award he receives is an honorary doctor of law degree. He has done much good in other areas promoted by the Church and should be respected for that. No one is perfect. Wasn't President Bush, who supports a death penalty, a commencement speaker one year at ND? <BR/>That being said, I'm of the belief that commencement speakers should not be famous or controversial. There are many people in academia who would have wiser and more valuable information to share with parting students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-70193131227003474652009-03-23T22:39:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:39:00.000-04:00I have to agree with Maeve on this one. He is the...I have to agree with Maeve on this one. He is the President and being asked to speak as such. I can not imagine him even mentioning the abortion issue during his speech. I may not agree with him on the abortion issue but I admire (and voted for) the candidate who could hopefully end the war, help the poor, and certainly improve the economy. I understand your points, Concord Pastor, but I went to Notre Dame as well and I am not the least bit offended at his being offered to speak at Commencement!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-83943849675740919812009-03-23T22:19:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:19:00.000-04:00Austin,Once again, your comments are so well-craft...Austin,<BR/><BR/>Once again, your comments are so well-crafted and reasoned. You echo many of my own sentiments regarding this situation. I can only speculate about the reasons why this invitation was extended.<BR/><BR/>I do feel sorry for this year's graduates who will have to wrestle with this decision which so powerfully affects their graduation day. Hopefully, peaceful heads will prevail, but I fear the discussions may at times become pretty ugly.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for a great post!<BR/><BR/>GeneFr. Gene Vavrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17083002845638941172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-68821279530449581212009-03-23T22:10:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:10:00.000-04:00A friend in administration at ND emailed to tell m...A friend in administration at ND emailed to tell me:<BR/><BR/>"The Laetare Medalist indeed DOES have a speaking role—he/she has always been asked to give reflections that usually are of gratitude but other times are on a topic: David Brubeck played <I>Travelin Blues</I> for the graduates, Martin Sheen gave a rousing speech..."Concord Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-21876056907692081432009-03-23T21:26:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:26:00.000-04:00Bravo, well said! As an ND grad, who later taught...Bravo, well said! As an ND grad, who later taught there, I applaud your love of the university -- a love that requires one to be honest. Obama speaking at ND is one thing, Obama receiving <I>honors</I> from ND is another.<BR/><BR/>Fr. Jenkins so wants to prove that he and ND are relevant in the modern world that he will allow the Monologues and a pro-abortion president to use ND for their own purposes. It is sad that he feels this need, for in reality, the modern world desperately needs what Notre Dame really stands for -- an Ultimate Truth, one revealed by Jesus thanks to the Fiat of His Mother, Our Lady.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-55330983339665471142009-03-23T19:52:00.000-04:002009-03-23T19:52:00.000-04:00I do not think Notre Dame is trying to reel Barack...I do not think Notre Dame is trying to reel Barack Obama in. I also do wonder who among us has a consistent life ethic.Did Ronald Reagan? Am I correct that when he was governor of California he signed a very liberal abortion law? Later he seems to have changed his viewws for political expediency.Also, how did he feel about war? George Bush may or may not be anti-abortion, sometimes one cannot be quite sure, but he sent us precipitously into war. I believe that Barack Obama does not hold the same religious views that I do, but I feel he may see the stem cell issue as pro-saving-life (yes, I know about wrong means ot a good end) - or, in any case, would not try to make me feel as he does, whatever that may be. Of course I wish there would never be a decision for abortion, but I know that, not just the President, but other people of good will do not see abortion as I do. I really don't see Barack Obama as a shadow on the Golden Dome (the Alma Mater of an uncle and three of my cousins).Maevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13112494355571093416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-27814322452086552432009-03-23T19:05:00.000-04:002009-03-23T19:05:00.000-04:00Concord Pastor, I appreciate your wise and reasone...Concord Pastor, I appreciate your wise and reasoned comments on this matter. I am struck by your capacity for understanding along with your framing this as you have - with such a clear focus on the urgency of respect for life.<BR/><BR/>Sadly much of the commentary on this matter has been that of vilification and derision, which is very hard for me to deal with.<BR/><BR/>I do pray that President Obama opens his heart and his mind to another way of seeing things. That is a journey I had to make myself, one that took awhile, but has been made by the grace of God.<BR/><BR/>So who knows how God will use this for good. <BR/><BR/>And I am also reminded that Jesus invited all sorts of unsavory types to dine with him. How else could they be transformed? And with that, the world transformed with them.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of which, I love the way your own story turns on this time at Notre Dame and just how and why it is so special for you.<BR/><BR/>Thank you and Peace,<BR/>FranSt Edwards Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00585815864104929974noreply@blogger.com