The Notre Dame Response: Don't Show Up!

[True-believer]

The Notre Dame Response: Don't Show Up!

This Sunday I will have the privilege of being with many of the pro-life students of Notre Dame University. Seniors who have decided not to take part in their graduation have invited me to lead them in prayer, in an alternate ceremony on another part of the campus, at the very hour that pro-abortion President Obama will speak and be honored by the University.

In standing with these students, I am standing with the true spirit of Notre Dame: a pro-life spirit, in harmony with human reason and Catholic Faith. The scandal that has been generated does not represent what Notre Dame is all about; it represents a radical betrayal of what Notre Dame is all about. I am encouraged by the pro-life activities of so many student groups on this campus – activities that are carried out all year round.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics, hundreds of priests, and dozens of bishops have called upon Notre Dame to end this scandal by withdrawing its invitation to President Obama. The result of that demand is not in our control. But one final response to this scandal is fully in the control of each graduating senior: don’t show up. Don't participate in an event which will only serve to obscure rather than highlight the Church's pro-life teaching and the true spirit of Notre Dame. Instead, come to the Class of 2009 Vigil for Life. The seniors who do this are manifesting the real meaning of commencement: they are carrying out the witness to truth and service that their hard-earned degrees have prepared them to give in the world.

We shouldn't at all be surprised that many others will fail to understand not only the courageous actions of these students, but also the concern voiced by so many across our nation. After all, the fact that many don't have a problem with Barack Obama sitting in a place of honor at a Catholic Commencement is simply a corollary of the underlying problem that so many don't have a problem with Barack Obama sitting in the White House. Our concern is not just that he is at odds with Catholic teaching. Our concern is that he is at odds with American teaching, and the very meaning of public service – which requires being able to tell the difference between serving the public and killing the public. He should neither be at Notre Dame nor in the White House.

Nearly a thousand priests and deacons have joined their voices to a statement that Priests for Life has written, and we invite more to sign up at www.priestsforlife.org/statement/notredame.aspx. Meanwhile, we invite all the faithful to join the Notre Dame students in a Rosary Campaign for reparation for this scandal, and for the conversion of the President and all who support legal child-killing. Please let us and the students know how many rosaries you pledge to pray this week; go to www.PrayerCampaign.org.

And finally – let every commencement ceremony include a prayer for those who would have graduated had they not been killed by abortion. It's the least we can do!

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

See Fr. Frank’s YouTube posting today about this situation at his YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/FrFrankPavone.

Priests for Life, PO Box 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Email: mail@priestsforlife.org, Phone: 718-980-4400; Fax: 718-980-6515; www.PriestsForLife.org

[Outta Here]

I wonder how many of those persons protesting by not attending their own graduation have received financial aid from the government. From the university's website, it would appear as if many of their students receive federally funded financial aid.

Washington University requires that each student be in attendance at his/her graduation in order to receive the diploma. What a waste of federal funds if these students are not eligible to graduate because they chose not to walk.

[BobRyan]

The Notre Dame Response: Don't Show Up!

This Sunday I will have the privilege of being with many of the pro-life students of Notre Dame University. Seniors who have decided not to take part in their graduation have invited me to lead them in prayer, in an alternate ceremony on another part of the campus, at the very hour that pro-abortion President Obama will speak and be honored by the University.

In standing with these students, I am standing with the true spirit of Notre Dame: a pro-life spirit, in harmony with human reason and Catholic Faith. The scandal that has been generated does not represent what Notre Dame is all about; it represents a radical betrayal of what Notre Dame is all about. I am encouraged by the pro-life activities of so many student groups on this campus – activities that are carried out all year round.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics, hundreds of priests, and dozens of bishops have called upon Notre Dame to end this scandal by withdrawing its invitation to President Obama. The result of that demand is not in our control.

Still you gotta wonder how it is that almost all Catholics voted for Obama. It seems that they don't value "the pro-life" moral conviction as high as they value popularism and left-leaning social agendas.

So "yes" I applaud that tiny minority of Catholics that care enough about moral values and convictions to actually vote that way. I just marvel at how little the majority seem to care about the key moral convictions that supposedly "define them" (at least if the Pope is any clue).

[Jeannieb43]

Oh, such an attitude is so very juvenile!

An adult manner of looking at things would be to realize that God created each of us with free will--to make our own choices, whether or not to choose the way God would have us choose.

If we can't emulate our Creator by allowing others to make their own choices, how in heaven's name can we be calling ourselves Christians??

Do the [juvenile-minded] graduates of Notre Dame believe that every person must think and feel the same way they do?? That they must become CLONES?

[Woody]

There are really a lot of people who are very much upset with Obama ... perhaps the greatest of any recent president. A lot of SDAs have grave concerns.

[Ellen]

Allowing abortion doesn't suggest that you should have an abortion or promote it. Just like same sex marriage and capital punishment. Taking it out of the criminal code doesn't mean it is recommended or promoted.

There are conservative Democrats just as there are liberal democrats by the way.

[phkrause]

Exactly, being pro-choice does not mean that you are pro abortion. Didn't God give us choice. We are create with the ability for "choice".

pk

[Planey]

There are really a lot of people who are very much upset with Obama ... perhaps the greatest of any recent president. A lot of SDAs have grave concerns.

And you know this because...?

Unless you have seen the results of some survey which has not been widely publicised, I would have to believe you are speaking from some sort of anecdotal evidence. Which is often extremely untrustworthy as the sample space is so small.

You would need to be sure that you are observing a true majority ("a lot of SDAs") and not a small but very vocal minority.

Graeme

PS Remember it is a very human trait to see what we wish to see, even subconsciously.

[Kountzer]

SDAs are not monolithic. There was a time I was naive enough to think that, then I discovered sda oriented msg boards.

I would like to do some personal study on how, when, why the RCC is so heavily involved in the pro life movement. Many credible historians say this same institution has killed hundreds of millions of people, martyrs. It is hard for me to juxtapose the two profiles.

[lazarus]

There are really a lot of people who are very much upset with Obama ... perhaps the greatest of any recent president. A lot of SDAs have grave concerns.

A lot? how many Redwood? 3.5, 25, 50, 1000, come on dude. How do you know that? You're just making stuff up.

Sorry Playney, just realized that you addressed this point already

[Woody]

Hey Laz ... perhaps you are unaware but I watch FOX.

[Amelia]

Red, find some statistics from Fox to back up your statement and post them please.

[phkrause]

They had two people who disagree with Obama but are happy that he will be coming to talk at there university. One girl is actually going to be with a group and protest. Other than that to each there own.

pk

[minky]

Hey I get it, I am not for abortion, the problem with some of these pro-life folks they act like terrorist, they stake out at abortion clinics and terriorize the workers and patients. Thats why I like this country its democratic. Pro-choice in every situation. Next thing we'll hear is get rid of those sabbath keepers.

[olger]

Originally Posted By: True-believer

The Notre Dame Response: Don't Show Up!

This Sunday I will have the privilege of being with many of the pro-life students of Notre Dame University. Seniors who have decided not to take part in their graduation have invited me to lead them in prayer, in an alternate ceremony on another part of the campus, at the very hour that pro-abortion President Obama will speak and be honored by the University.

In standing with these students, I am standing with the true spirit of Notre Dame: a pro-life spirit, in harmony with human reason and Catholic Faith. The scandal that has been generated does not represent what Notre Dame is all about; it represents a radical betrayal of what Notre Dame is all about. I am encouraged by the pro-life activities of so many student groups on this campus – activities that are carried out all year round.

Hundreds of thousands of Catholics, hundreds of priests, and dozens of bishops have called upon Notre Dame to end this scandal by withdrawing its invitation to President Obama. The result of that demand is not in our control.

Still you gotta wonder how it is that almost all Catholics voted for Obama. It seems that they don't value "the pro-life" moral conviction as high as they value popularism and left-leaning social agendas.

So "yes" I applaud that tiny minority of Catholics that care enough about moral values and convictions to actually vote that way. I just marvel at how little the majority seem to care about the key moral convictions that supposedly "define them" (at least if the Pope is any clue).

X2