Despite Criticism, Notre Dame Firm on Obama As Commencement Speaker
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Think Green 50¢ March 29, 2009 Recycle this paper Volume 83, No. 13 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TODAY’S CATHOLIC At that first Despite criticism, Notre Dame firm Eucharist The gift of Jesus on Obama as commencement speaker Pages 12-13 BY CHAZ MUTH WASHINGTON (CNS) — University of Notre Dame Obama at Notre Dame officials were standing firm on their choice of President Barack Obama as commencement speaker at commencement the institution’s May 17 graduation, in spite of a large number of Catholics calling on them to rescind the Bishop D’Arcy’s statement invitation. The Indiana university, run by the Congregation of Page 3 Holy Cross, and the White House announced March 20 that Obama would be Notre Dame’s 2009 com- mencement speaker and confirmed he will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree at the graduation. Cardinal’s warning “The invitation to President Obama to be our com- mencement speaker should not be taken as condoning Protect conscience rights or endorsing his positions on specific issues regarding the protection of human life, includ- Page 5 ing abortion and embryonic stem-cell See Bishop research,” said Holy Cross Father D’Arcy’s John I. Jenkins, president of the Statement. University of Notre Dame. PAGE 3 “Yet, we see his visit as a basis for In vitro fertilization further positive engagement,” he said in a March 23 and the church statement. The announcement on Obama was promptly fol- Crossfire of parental desires lowed by a flurry of criticism from Catholics, who said the president’s support of legal abortion and embryon- Page 14 ic stem-cell research makes him an inappropriate choice to be the commencement speaker at a Catholic university. The Cardinal Newman Society — a Manassas, Va.- based Catholic college watchdog group — announced Pope Benedict XVI March 23 it had collected more than 54,000 signatures in Africa so far in an online petition that calls for Notre Dame to rescind its invitation to Obama to be this year’s com- Analysis of pope’s trip TODAY’S CATHOLIC FILE PHOTO mencement speaker. A statue of Our Lady sits atop the golden dome at the University of Notre Dame. The uni- “We fully expected some criticism and have Page 20 received it, though nothing more than we anticipated,” versity announced President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address May 17. The announcement has drawn criticism from across the nation. OBAMA, PAGE 3 Prayer service offers healing TELLING OUR FAITH STORY I love the Catholic faith to all victims of abuse because it holds people bind up the wounds caused by every breach together. I love to go to BY KAY COZAD of trust, to foster healing, to promote rec- onciliation and to reach out with loving Mass to celebrate the dying FORT WAYNE — One year ago, Pope concern to those so seriously wronged.” and rising of Christ. Also, Benedict XVI visited the United States and The pope added that the church, having mentioned on several occasions the deep suffered and responded with prevention the music we sing helps me personal shame that he felt about the sexu- and healing, must place this effort in a al abuse inflicted on children and young wider context. to rejoice and praise God people. “It falls to you, as pastors modeled upon better. What I love the most is how every- Pope Benedict, instructing the U.S. bish- Christ, the good shepherd, to proclaim this ops at the Basilica of the Immaculate message loud and clear, and thus to address one prays and helps each other. Conception in Washington, D.C., noted, the sin of abuse within a wider context of Gabrielle Acree “Rightly, you attach priority to showing sexual mores,” the pope said. “Moreover, compassion and care to the victims. It is Seventh grade your God-given responsibility as pastors to ABUSE, PAGE 3 St. Charles Borromeo School 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC MARCH 29, 2009 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Catholic education is important Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy in today’s culture Carew and the Office of Catechesis for A call from Decatur EDITOR: Tim Johnson recruiting and screening teachers, and see- NEWS EDITOR and STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad ing that they receive this wonderful prepa- Father Dave Voors, the exemplary pastor ration. I visited two classrooms in each of St. Mary of the Assumption, Decatur, our southernmost parish in the eastern Editorial Department school, celebrated Mass, met with faculty and students and with the teachers in the region of our diocese, with the exception, PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan NEWS of course, of St. Mary of the Presentation, FREELANCE WRITERS: Lauren Caggiano, theology department at Saint Joseph’s High &NOTES School; I also met with young men and Geneva, called and asked me to celebrate a Michelle Castleman, Karen Clifford, women who are considering a vocation. funeral Mass. He said the call came from Elmer J. Danch, Michelle Donaghey, the family of Ralph Biggs who had died Bonnie Elberson, Denise Fedorow, BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY suddenly. Diane Freeby, May Lee Johnson, Sister Ralph was a home builder, and a strong The economic downturn Catholic, and devoted to his parish and to Margie Lavonis, CSC, Joe Kozinski and High schools, theology and parish One of the troubles of the economic the diocese. He served for years on the Deb Wagner downturn is whether or not we will lose advisory board of the Catholic Community missions students in our elementary schools and high Foundation. For a long time, he took care Business Department I have given nights at six parish mis- schools because of tuition. People who do of his wife, Jeanie, who died some years sions. Every one a joy. After celebrating the BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice not have jobs will find it increasingly hard ago. He was well regarded in Decatur as a Mass in honor of St. Patrick at the to pay tuition, so we will do whatever we AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber businessman, and a few days before I had Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at can to help. And a visit to our high schools met his second wife, Christine, at the Rite BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol noon, I went to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton makes us realize how important Catholic [email protected] of Election. It was a joy to meet her, and Parish for the third evening of the mission, education is in today’s culture. see her happiness at so many who are an evening devoted to repentance, reconcil- The fact that the young people are learn- Advertising Sales entering the church from Decatur. Alas, a iation, and the sacrament of penance. ing a sound response to the questions of the few days later her husband of two years Tess Steffen (Fort Wayne area) Twelve of us heard confessions, each for culture, and take those questions seriously, died. Christine asked me to say the Mass, (260) 456-2824 well over an hour. A full church. Father Bill especially questions on ethics and faith, is and it was a privilege to do it. The whole Jeanette Simon (South Bend area) Schooler had done two nights on prayer so important to me as a bishop. This week, town of Decatur was there, the business (574) 234-0687 and faith, and the final night was led by I will make my final pastoral visit to the and legal communities, families, members Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Father Mike Heintz on the holy Eucharist. high schools with my longtime friend, Carl of St. Mary Parish. Despite fatigue, after The next two days gave me special joy. I Loesch, whom we recruited many years two days in our high schools, I could not Published weekly except the fourth made my annual pastoral visits: first to ago at Bishop Dwenger and who remains turn down this request, and it was a privi- Sunday in June, first and third weeks in Bishop Dwenger, and then to Saint Joseph’s an inspirational figure. Carl told me recent- lege to offer the Mass before what seemed July, first week in August and last week High School, South Bend. ly in a note he sent that his work is in like the whole town of Decatur, and to in December by the Diocese of Fort In both places, you find schools that are thanksgiving and appreciation to three peo- share a few words of condolence with Wayne-South Bend, 1103 S. Calhoun St., thoroughly Catholic. Of great encourage- ple who have inspired him in Catholic edu- Christine and her sons. Among my reflec- P.O. Box 390, Fort Wayne, IN 46801. ment was my visit to the theology depart- cation; namely, Sister Jane Carew, John tions were some words about the vocation Periodicals postage paid at Fort Wayne, ment in each school. Gaughan and Fred Tone. Fred is principal IN, and additional mailing office. of the Catholic businessman. I also meet with the students, and here is at Bishop Dwenger High School, and John While driving forth on a lovely day from where you learn so much about Catholic has over 60 years in Catholic education. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Decatur to Fort Wayne, I received word identity. In both of these schools, there are that Father Jenkins, CSC, president of Today’s Catholic, P.O. Box 11169, Fort a number of teachers who, through our pro- Wayne, IN 46856-1169 or e-mail: Notre Dame, wanted to speak with me.