I don't usually talk about politics on this site. That's partly because I've been in a state of politics-burnout for the last 4 or 5 years and partly because religious politics are so over-covered in other people's blogs.

Sometimes though, religion and politics cross paths in a way that catches my mind for a little bit.

There's an important and compelling story in the news right now regarding the premier Catholic university in America, Notre Dame. The University has invited President Barack Obama to deliver this year's commencement speech; Notre Dame will also confer upon him an honorary Doctorate. This is a pretty typical occurrence in colleges, of course. The president always gets to deliver a graduation address or two; it's quite an honor for a college to be visited by the President of the United States.

The problem is that President Obama's well-known pro-abortion stance is speaking at the premier Catholic university in America-- and the Catholic Church is unequivocally and undeniably pro-life.

It's a big deal.

Catholics must be undeniably pro-life. I don't want to over-simplify this, but it's not really a matter of debate. Oh, sure, some people will debate this or try to turn it into a complicated theological discussion of when does God impart a soul to a human--but seriously. It's not an open question. Rome has spoken, the cause is finished. Further, when matters of morality intersect with political decisions, Catholics need to vote according to Catholic senses of morality. This is not the same as the Church endorsing any particular candidate--please do not be confused about that. But moral religions instruct their followers to uphold a moral code; affecting behavior is intrinsic to religion. And while the Republican Party seems to be the official party of Christian voters, it hasn't always been that way. In fact, Catholics have a tendency to vote Democrat in presidential elections. Still, the Church does not endorse candidates, she promotes issues for voting with consciences--and if certain candidates fall on the wrong side of that issue, the Church needs to speak up about the subject. During the 2008 Presidential, hometown Bishop Robert Finn (of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph) even went as far as saying that people who voted for Barack Obama jeopardized their eternal salvation. The matter was not his Democraticness, it was his affinity for abortion that was the issue at hand. If both candidates were pro-life, or if both candidates were not pro-life, the Church wouldn't have much to say on the subject. Further, it is my opinion that, considering that the Democratic Party often speaks in the rhetoric of human rights, if the Democratic Party were to front a pro-life candidate, that candidate would be extremely appealing to the Catholic hierarchy.

But that's not our status quo.

Instead, we've got the most pro-babykilling President since Roe v Wade. And since the The Catholic Church is a Pro-Life Church, it is absolutely incongruent that the premier Catholic College in America is inviting President Obama to give their graduation address. It's not a matter of Separation of Church and State. A commencement speech is a representation of what a school hopes for their students--and there's a lot to like about the President... if you can take abortion out of the picture. Unfortunately, you cannot.

But the Catholic university's administration doesn't seem to be interested in upholding this piece of Catholic teaching. Furthermore, they don't seem to be very interested in listening to what their student's say about the subject either. In fact, a number of student groups are protesting the President's appearance on campus, including:
Notre Dame Right to Life
The Irish Rover Student Newspaper
Notre Dame College Republicans
The University of Notre Dame Anscombe Society
Notre Dame Identity Project
Militia of the Immaculata
Children of Mary
Orestes Brownson Council
Notre Dame Law School Right to Life
Notre Dame Law St Thomas More Society
In their combined response, they say

In defense of the unborn, we wish to express our deepest opposition to Reverend John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.'s invitation of President Barack Obama to be the University of Notre Dame's principal commencement speaker and the recipient of an honorary degree. Our objection is not a matter of political partisanship, but of President Obama's hostility to the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages. His recent dedication of federal funds to overseas abortions and to embryonic stem cell research will directly result in the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings. We cannot sit by idly while the University honors someone who believes that an entire class of human beings is undeserving of the most basic of all legal rights, the right to live.

The University's decision runs counter to the policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops against honoring pro-choice politicians. In their June 2004 statement Catholics in Political Life, the bishops said, "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." Fr. Jenkins defends his invitation by saying that it does not honor or suggest support for the President's views on abortion, but rather support for his leadership. But our "fundamental moral principles" must be respected at all times. And the principle that requires us to refrain from the direct killing of the innocent has a special status even among the most fundamental principles. President Obama's actions have consistently shown contempt for this principle, and he has sought political gain by making light of its clear political implications.

Their opinion is clear.

Who else's opinion is clear? His Excellency, Bishop John D'Arcy, the ordinary of Fort Wayne-South Bend where Notre Dame is located, whose statement says:

"the measure of any Catholic institution is not only what it stands for, but also what it will not stand for."

Indeed. Bishop D'Arcy will be skipping the event; the local bishop would usually be one of the highest dignitaries at Notre Dame's commencement.

What is the point of a Catholic school if they're not there to promote Catholic living? Catholic teaching? Catholic morality? There are many fine public and secular private institutions in the United States--why go through the bother of having a Catholic school if they're going to give their pulpit to a man who so adamantly against this item of Catholic principles? It's not like abortion is some piddley little issue. It's one of the central issues in Catholic living. You know, the living part.

What can you do? Sign the petition to the Notre Dame University President at http://www.notredamescandal.com/ and let Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C. know that you're disappointed that Notre Dame is abandoning their Catholicism for the prestige of hosting President Obama. Just whom are they really serving?

But petitions aside, if you're the kind of person to add a personal touch, you might drop the university President a letter.

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.
President, University of Notre Dame
400 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556

There will also be a number of on-campus protests that weekend.

What do you expect out of your Catholic schools? Authentic Catholic teaching? Upholding real Catholic principles? People living in accordance with the Catholic Faith?

http://www.notredamescandal.com/

Our Lady, Notre Dame, pray for us!