EDITORIAL
Seeking conversion
April 13, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
Sadly, the biggest news item this Lent was not about Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.
Instead, it was about the invitation extended to President Barack Obama to give the commencement address May 17 at the University of Notre Dame. He’ll also receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Catholic university.
In choosing to honor President Obama, who is clearly at odds with Catholic teaching on abortion and embryonic stem cell research, university decision makers have succeeded not only in driving a wedge between Catholics on the ferociously debated life issue, but the school so well known for its football program and its “Touchdown Jesus” has also managed, through the ensuing controversy, to force many of us to lose sight of the end zone — which, in this case, is Christ’s redeeming salvation for all of humanity.
Holy Cross Father John I. Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, said in a statement last month that the invitation does not mean that the Catholic university supports President Obama’s positions. Likewise, some who argue that this issue is more of a molehill than it is a mountain point to past U.S. presidents — those also at odds with Catholic teaching on issues such as capital punishment, health care and war, for example — but received the same honors, minus this level of uproar.
The difference as we see it, however, has more to do with President Obama’s clear disregard for the “non-negotiable issues,” those matters for which have no equals. Protection of life in all its stages, from the moment of conception until death, as stated by Pope Benedict XVI, is one of these non-negotiable issues.
As we’ve seen in these first 100 days of his administration, President Obama has made no bones in pushing an agenda that flies in the face of the years of progress made in the pro-life movement. He has cleared the way for federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. He has reversed the so-called Mexico City Policy that required non-governmental organizations that receive federal funding to refrain from promoting or performing abortions. He has voiced his support for the Freedom of Choice Act, which would potentially reverse every state law limiting or regulating abortion. Oh, and he recently indicated that he is looking to reverse conscience protection regulation for health care workers, which affects doctors who refuse to perform abortions, for example, based on religious beliefs or moral convictions.
It is for these reasons there is such an outpouring of emotion and debate. Honoring our president at our most prestigious Catholic university sends the wrong message, and blurs what it means to be Catholic today. We are compelled to add our voice to those who respectfully and prayerfully seek a conversion of heart at Notre Dame — including the 29 bishops, 10 Holy Cross priests and the hundreds of thousands who have publicly voiced their disagreement with the beloved flagship Catholic university — with the hope that Fr. Jenkins will rescind his invitation to President Obama.
On one hand, we’re sorrowful that this controversy has erupted during Lent as we led up to the pinnacle of our liturgical year. On the other hand, were we not called to suffer, sacrifice and pray during these 40 days of Lent, just as Christ did?
