Diocese of Springfield - Cape Girardeau at 601 S. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806 US - Recent News Events Cause Stir May 1, 2009
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Recent News Events Cause Stir May 1, 2009 |
Tarnish on the Golden Dome
In my first year as bishop no issue has generated more mail expressing dismay and sadness as the recent decision by the leadership of the University of Notre Dame to honor Pres. Barak Obama at this year’s commencement. Regardless of whether it is deserved or not, Notre Dame holds a special place in the hearts of a vast number of Catholics who see it as a proud symbol of the Catholic Church’s place in American life. No doubt, much of this is connected to the football tradition, immortalized by Knute Rockne, George Gipp, etc. It is also due to the fact that this Catholic university is named for our Lady, and has indeed contributed in a rich way to the Catholic Church in America and to American life in general.
Given this goodwill and wholesome pride, it is no wonder so many were stung by the decision of such a prominent Catholic institution to bestow this honor on Pres. Obama. In his first 100 days, the president has taken steps on multiple fronts to undermine the protection of innocent human life which had been established in law or policy (see my March 13, 2009 The Mirror column, “President Continues Disappointing Trend”).
Given Pres. Obama’s determination to dismantle prior policy that put limits on the destruction of innocent human life, and his administration’s proposal to remove legal protections that would safeguard the conscientious objections of institutions and individuals to these procedures, it is saddening and bewildering that Notre Dame would act in this manner. This honor will cause confusion and scandal among many.
While we must pray for our president, respect his office, and acknowledge and support the good things he does to lead our nation, it is also our duty to make known our opposition to those actions and decisions that stand in direct opposition to the moral law and the foundational principals of America. Such is the case when innocent human life is attacked and left open to the exploitation of the powerful. This is a position which is totally incompatible with Catholic faith and life. A person who holds such a position should not be honored in any way by a Catholic institution.
I lend my support to Bp. John M. D’Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana, and his decision to not attend this year’s commencement at Notre Dame. I also join those calling for Notre Dame to reconsider this decision. Even at this late date, such a reversal would be a credit to Notre Dame’s leadership, and would restore the near-universal goodwill that Notre Dame is now almost assured of losing.
Miss USA
Another event in the news this past week also caused a stir; and for good reason. At this year’s Miss USA pageant, one of the candidates, Miss California, was asked by one of the judges about her stance on “gay marriage.” She began her answer to the question by expressing respect for the opinion of others, and added that she personally believed in the traditional meaning of marriage: that it is a union between one man and one woman.
Miss California came in second. It will probably never be known whether her answer cost her the pageant title. What caused much of the post-pageant controversy was the statement of the judge, a gay activist, who had asked her the question. He admitted that he penalized her, and then proceeded to further insult her in ugly terms. It was reported that other judges also penalized her for her answer.
The incident is revealing on several fronts. First, it shows just how much American culture, in such a short time, has drifted away from the moorings that have given the nation strength and stability. Could we have dreamed only a decade ago that someone would be labeled a bigot for embracing traditional marriage in America?
While a majority of American citizens still believe in traditional marriage, as evidenced in recent ballot initiatives, there is an organized and significant effort to change the definition of marriage in law. This has been aided on several fronts: by activist judges, a significant number of celebrity activists, the secular media, and many who shape the culture and teach in colleges and universities. Marriage is rooted in the natural law; that is, it is not subject to being “redefined.” By its nature it is the union of one man and one woman.
Second, it shows the fierce intolerance of many of those who advocate for redefining marriage to include same-sex unions. What many do not realize is that changing laws to recognize such unions will place against or outside the law those institutions and churches which cannot do so, making them vunerable to possible penalties and prosecution. This has already occurred in Canada. Catholic clergy there have been cited simply for proclaiming and upholding the Church’s teaching on such matters. All the more reason for Catholics to allow their voices to be heard in the public square, and to do all we can to promote and cherish marriage and family, beginning with our own.