Does Notre Dame teach irony?
posted at 1:36 pm on September 17, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Fr. John Jenkins, current president of Notre Dame University, has sent a letter to Notre Dame alumni informing them that he plans to participate in the March for Life in Washington DC. The march will protest the Roe v Wade decision on its 36th anniversary, making a statement for the pro-life cause. Those who oppose abortion should applaud this activism by Fr. Jenkins and pray for the success of the March for Life to change hearts so that life is protected rather than discarded.
However, his message could be made a little more powerful by the addition of 88 pro-life activists to the march — people instead busy preparing for trials because Fr. Jenkins refuses to drop charges against them for protesting the appearance of President Barack Obama at Notre Dame’s commencement in May. Among those charged is Norma McCorvey, the original Roe, who has long ago switched positions and demonstrates against abortion. Free the ND 88 asks for assistance in asking Fr. Jenkins to show consistency:
Notre Dame President John I. Jenkins announced today that he intends to join the “March for Life” this coming January as part of his commitment made last May, according to Jenkins, to bear witness to the sanctity of life. The March for Life is held each year in Washington, DC to mark the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
Apparently the irony was lost on Jenkins that while he will be preparing to protest against Roe v. Wade, the actual Roe, Norma McCorvey, will be preparing for her criminal trial for protesting at Notre Dame after she was arrested under orders from Father Jenkins who has, so far, refused to drop the charges brought against McCorvey and the rest of the “ND 88″, the dozens of pro-life protestors arrested last spring for “crimes” such as saying the rosary and wearing pro-life t-shirts. …
Jenkins expressed his hope that “we can overcome divisions to foster constructive dialogue and work together for a cause that is at the heart of Notre Dame’s mission” something which many in the Pro-Life community believe to be impossible so long as the “ND 88″ are facing possible prison sentences for peacefully expressing the same point of view Father Jenkins is now prepared to support at the March for Life.
The actual “crime” was trespassing, but the point is that the protesters are ostensibly on the same side as Jenkins. Jenkins himself will participate in a massive protest against abortion. Will he do so while prosecuting the woman at the center of the court case that has lent years to the pro-life cause to undo the damage of Roe, merely for the offense of having embarrassed Jenkins during Obama’s appearance? Does Notre Dame, a Catholic institution, really want to press criminal charges against fellow pro-lifers who did nothing on their campus except hold signs and pray the Rosary?
Jenkins should drop the charges and end what seems to be a personal grudge against these activists. Until he does, he risks being a modern-day Pharisee, hiding behind trespassing statutes to gain retribution against those who publicly disagreed with Jenkins about his invitation to Obama. We’ll pray that Jenkins makes the right decision.
Blowback
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As far as he is concerned your prayers are answered, he is making the right decision.
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 1:40 PM
PR stunt to get more alumni donations.
I agree that if pro-life was truly an important cause to him he’d drop charges.
darwin on September 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM
i pray that Jenkins and those like him grow a big fat pair of nuts! what a complete and utter disgrace! YOU’RE CATHOLIC, START F-CKING ACTING LIKE IT AND STAND UP TO THE BELIEFS OF THE CHURCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!
Ghoul aid on September 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Another rank hypocrite. I’m shocked.
TheBigOldDog on September 17, 2009 at 1:42 PM
stand up for the beliefs is what i meant to say
Ghoul aid on September 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Hey Fr. Jenkins…. WWJD?
WyoMike on September 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Why should ND drop the charges against the ND 88, including Sapwolf. They had plenty of public places to demonstrate, but went on ND grounds in an attempt to get media attention.
Violating the law has consequences.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Whether or not they teach irony, Jenkins practices hypocrisy by proclaiming himself and Notre Dame pro-life after inviting the filthy liar a platform to preach the pro-murder ideology that is perfectly summed up in Obama’s work on laws that are especially inhumane to unborn life.
Fr. Jenkins doesn’t even deserve to be a priest.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Weather-vane principles.
Father opprotunity.
portlandon on September 17, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Charlie Gibson and I: “What?”
faraway on September 17, 2009 at 1:47 PM
BOMBSHELL: AP NewsBreak: Nuke agency says Iran can make bomb
faraway on September 17, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Ditch Catholicism.
TTheoLogan on September 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Fr. Jenkins disgraced the Catholic church he belongs too. What a hypocrite to have the audacity to go to a Pro-life march, while prosecuting pro-lifers and inviting pro-infanticide politician to speak.
The Catholic Church needs a complete wash of these wimpy, unsympathetic, and non-practicing Catholic priests.
Say one thing in church, and then do another.
Disgrace.
cubachi on September 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Ed, a point of correction: it wasn’t the ND law-school commencement that Obama attended. It was at the overall university graduation that he received an honorary law degree.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Mr. Jenkins – no need to give this clown any other title
corona on September 17, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Un-friggin-believable
miConsevative on September 17, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Hypocritical religious leaders?
Nahhhhhhhhh… never happen.
SilverStar830 on September 17, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Never trust a Jesuit.
Rocks on September 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Question asked and answered. It’s not as if this crime even rises to the level of injecting the truth of “you lie” into a debate on healthcare.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 1:53 PM
ND can’t lose enough football games this year or ever…
Tough to know whats in the man’s heart, but it sure looks like a publicity stunt to raise $$$.
joepub on September 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
So you are for closing down ACORN? The executives of ACORN in running an organization that is violating the law has consequences.
BTW, it will be thrown out, since the ND “grounds” are open to the public all the time, they needed to post that it was closed that day.
On any given day, there are hundreds of tourists walking the beautiful campus, uninvited…violating the law.
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
What…no forgiveness for trespassing..even for those who chose life??
I don’t get it. Someone connect the dots for me.
Itchee Dryback on September 17, 2009 at 1:55 PM
WWJD?
WyoMike on September 17, 2009 at 1:43 PM
In the wake of the ND invite to the baby killer supporter Obama, and the Bishops honoring of the life of the murderer aka Teddy Kennedy–the holy spirit, I believe, has moved me to cut my donations to the Church by half.
“Let’s Roll”
On Watch on September 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM
They decided that rather than just protest, they would break the law. They should face the consequences. They will be forgiven later… right?
lexhamfox on September 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Name another Jesuit…how about Gov. Moonbeam, Jerry Brown…
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Good grief,you could have been killed by that point going over your head!
katy the mean old lady on September 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Thanks for the clarification. Why didn’t you e-mail it directly to him?
More important, what relevance does your clarification have to the point of the post?
BuckeyeSam on September 17, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Why? We Catholics are at the forefront of the pro-life battle.
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Highhopes, they had plenty of places outside of campus to hold their demonstrations. There were authorized demonstrations or gatherings on campus; they chose to create a media circus to draw attention to their views instead of handling things in a different way.
Sorry, but as a ND alum (who is pro-choice and not Catholic), dropping the charges would be wrong. And it would be wrong of the ND 88 to accept the dropping of the charges. Did Martin Luther King ask cities to drop charges against him?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
If you are trying to interject some type of theology you get an F in theology. Never spend much time in church, huh?
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
I hope you’re not a RC… using the F-word may have just bought you the loss of a “state of grace” and a ticket to fire if you don’t get absolution.
Just a reminder from your friendly RCC. :)
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
For example, tax cheats become high-level bureaucrats for Obama.
He wouldn’t ditch it. He would be in the cathedrals every day, correcting error; Notre Dame’s correcting would require a scourge of reeds.
TMK on September 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
This is positively Obama-esque.
Here’s a prayer suggestion:
Forgive us our
trespassestrespassers, as we forgive those who trespass against us:)Buy Danish on September 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
So you are for closing down ACORN? The executives of ACORN in running an organization that is violating the law has consequences.
–ACORN hasn’t been convicted yet, have they? The ND 88 were convicted (or decided to not contest the charges, so were convicted).
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:01 PM
So you’re saying that putting MLK in jail was the right thing to do?
CDeb on September 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM
IM told time and again that conservatives are law and order types, who will hold onto drug laws and the like simply because drugs are illegal and therefor bad. Why then, am I reading a conservative trying to tell me that it doesnt matter that tresspassing is illegal, so long as you’re pro life?
ernesto on September 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Good grief,you could have been killed by that point going over your head!
–Katy, I’m still missing your point. Can you explain?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Who the hell said the fr. was a conservative? ernesto? lol
daesleeper on September 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
If it’s a PR move, it’s a poorly planned one…as it just points out…once again…the leadership of Notre Dame’s hypocrisy.
DCJeff on September 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I’m against drugs for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is widely-evident brain damage.
Your strawman dies here.
TMK on September 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Deb, I’m saying that MLK had the courage to stand for his views and take the legal consequences.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:03 PM
The point. You misses it.
CDeb on September 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM
In gratitude for Notre Dame providing a platform to President Obama whose views are wholly opposed to the Church the school is supposed to represent, they receive this.
T.D.D. on September 17, 2009 at 2:04 PM
I don’t know for sure, since I haven’t been there yet, but I think there may be special places in Hell reserved for…
Child abusers and…
Religious hypocrites.
TXUS on September 17, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Hmmmm…. really don’t know… is there a Catholic equivalent to:
“as we forgive those, who trespass against us”….
Romeo13 on September 17, 2009 at 2:05 PM
“We’ll pray”? Does that include Allah?!
Akzed on September 17, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Uh, because ND is a Catholic University, and the protesters are merely stating what the Church itself advocates?
With respect to violating the law and consequences, consider the Underground Railroad. What if Harriet Tubman went around siccing the authorities on conductors because they were violating the Fugitive Slave Act? We’d have a slightly different opinion of them today.
Ditto for Fr. Jenkins. He may be your hero, but he ain’t ours. If he gave the word, ND would drop the charges in a second. So, in terms of Catholic theology, he is performing a Sin of Omission. He is supporting Caesar against God.
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM
And you would not have viewed the imposers of said consequences as hypocrites had they tried to cast themselves as friends of the civil rights movement?
CDeb on September 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Darwin helps those who are the fittest. Let us survive, Science be praised.
TMK on September 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I think his collar is too tight.
SouthernGent on September 17, 2009 at 2:07 PM
OOOOH. +1000
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
In gratitude for Notre Dame providing a platform to President Obama whose views are wholly opposed to the Church the school is supposed to represent, they receive this.
–TDD, The problem is that the student loan market has been killed by the credit crunch. It’s my understanding that many students can’t now get student loans. Do you want the government to continue current student loan programs (given the financial problems and lender bankruptcies with the current structure) or try something else?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Can ND afford to selectively press charges against trespassing protesters depending on whether the Catholic church agrees with the protest? That could lead to some political and legal headaches that would get in the way of ND’s educational goals.
RightOFLeft on September 17, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Uh, because ND is a Catholic University, and the protesters are merely stating what the Church itself advocates?
–So where does the Catholic church advocate tresspassing to make a point, uncle?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Mr. Jenkins is a dog turd and a cheap publicity whore. God should scrape him off with a stick.
SKYFOX on September 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM
So Ed’s NOT asking for ND to ignore the law? What am i missing?
ernesto on September 17, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Jenkins is a hypocrite.
His S.J. means “Society of Judas”, rather than “Society of Jesus”.
atheling on September 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
ND is liberal. I’m shocked. No, really I am.
[roll eyes]
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 2:12 PM
Baptise John the Baptist.
lasertex on September 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
If I decide not to press charges against someone, am I “ignoring the law?”
CDeb on September 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Sorry but you are wrong. Catholics saying the rosary at a Catholic Institution shouldn’t be a crime. Yes I know that they had places to protest yada, yada, yada… It doesn’t matter. Here’s the poster boy for the culture of death coming to a school that pretends it upholds the Catholic faith- Jenkins and the rest of the so-called priests should have been out there with the ND88 not kow towing to the filthy liar in the White House.
Here’s hoping that real Catholics will use the march as a “teachable moment” to educate the hypocrite on what it means to believe in the Catholic faith.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Intellectual honesty.
Jenkins’ adherence to trespassing laws is rather laughable when one sees how the Church has undermined our immigration laws by providing sanctuary to illegals.
atheling on September 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Sorry but you are wrong. Catholics saying the rosary at a Catholic Institution shouldn’t be a crime. Yes I know that they had places to protest yada, yada, yada… It doesn’t matter.
–Good. Then you should have no problem with Mormons or mainstream Protestants coming to mass and explaining their religious views during the sermon. Right?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Hey Father, they taught me in Parochial School that St. Peter has this great big book and…
Well you just got an entry you might be concerned about.
Mr. Joe on September 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
OT: DRUDGE reporting IRAN able to make a bomb
cmsinaz on September 17, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Wait, wait, wait….. The protestors stopped the graduation from happening? The interrupted the speach? I missed this!!
CDeb on September 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Uh, actually numerous convinctions have been made in many states and prosecutions and investigations are underway in many states (15 I believe) against ACORN. It’s a fact they systemically perpetrate voter fraud and other sorts of fraud.
gwelf on September 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
a⋅pos⋅ta⋅sy
a total desertion of or departure from one’s religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
Not total yet, but apostasy seems epidemic, even in the GOP.
Daggett on September 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Do you know what the words “wise” and “discretion” mean, by any chance, and why I am asking you?
Are you aware that policepersons aren’t violating the law when they don’t ticket each and every speeder they pull over? Does it stress you out knowing this?
Rushs talent lender on September 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Prayers for Israel.
atheling on September 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Good. Then you should have no problem with Mormons or mainstream Protestants coming to mass and explaining their religious views during the sermon. Right?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Wait, wait, wait….. The protestors stopped the graduation from happening? The interrupted the speach? I missed this!!
–Wouldn’t be stopping the sermon; just giving commentary.
And, yes, there were (I think) two or three people that did interrupt the speech during commencement.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Crap like this makes me ashamed to be an ND alumn. Thanks a bunch Fr. J.
IndyConserv on September 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I wouldn’t compare Fr. Jenkins to Mormons or mainstream Protestants — although how he’s handling things are vaguely similar to the scenario you paint above.
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Hopefully most everyone participating in the march will open a loud and forceful dialogue with the foolish Father and that it will be a true learning moment for Jenkins.
RJL on September 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Ditch Catholicism.
TTheoLogan on September 17, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Wow you were able to bash Catholisism in just 12 posts.
Yer momma must be proud
LincolntheHun on September 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Dear God let’s not get started on the Catholic hypocrisy. Are there ANY Catholic leaders that walk the talk? Pelosi is a Catholic for crying out loud and so was all the pro-abortion Kennedys.
Guardian on September 17, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Oh I hope Jenkins goes.
Because I plan on picketing him and telling everyone at the march who he is and what he’s done. Shame on him. Shame on his superiors. Shame on the bishop.
Finally close ND down. It’s no longer a Catholic University. All you have to do is look at Jimbo3. Sad.
panzerkardinal on September 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Interesting that you equate a worship service to Obama’s speech.
atheling on September 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
It’s not against the law to refuse to press a trespassing charge. But if you smoke crack on my porch, I cannot tell the cop to forget about it; he’s going to beat you with a wooden stick and take you to jail.
TMK on September 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
At least he didn’t use the f-word.
;)
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 2:21 PM
As Catholics, we would call this granting mercy,
clarifides on September 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
actually numerous convinctions have been made in many states.
–Got the details and the charges and situations in each one? Without more, I don’t think I say it’s a “fact” they systemically perpetrate voter fraud and other sorts of fraud. I wouldn’t say that ACORN systematically kills ex-husbands, for instance.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Simple, Jesus “tore the curtain” so all could have access to him…the Catholic Church doors are always open, that is one of the tenets…it is always open to all people. ND is a church, a holy sanctuary where those celebrating life, and the resurrection of Jesus can gather and are welcome.
No where on there website is there any restrictions about visiting the campus.
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Are you freaking kidding me??? You owe me a new keyboard!
Violating the law has consequences? Tell that to all of Obama’s cronies…
lovingmyUSA on September 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
How’s that wonderful Father Phleigher or whatever doing these days anyway?
Guardian on September 17, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Panzer, you don’t have to be Catholic to go to ND.
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
You honestly aren’t comparing attendance at religious rite with attendance at a Presidential Speech, are you? I never would have put you down as one of those who worship at the altar of Obama.
BTW, nice attempt at trying to make this all about bashing Mormons or whatever that non-sequitor was supposed to accomplish.
Leaving your deity aside for a moment, the only real defense for prosecuting isn’t the trespassing charge but some sort of a claim based on creating a disrupting influence that was unfair to the graduates who had spent four years of daddy’s money on that overpriced degree. I really felt sorry for those kids after their institution proved that morality is relative, their President declared that killing off unborn life is a legitimate ethical position, and idiots like you who have nothing but hatred for those passionate enough to stand up for what they believe.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
But Halliburton is a criminal entity right?
All Acorn has is convictions in 11-15 states, right?
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Over 30 convictions, not including the two founders who stole over 1 million dollars, but were not prosecuted because they would have had to open their books to an external audit.
So they just let the two have the money…get with it jimbo3, you are way behind the curve on this one.
right2bright on September 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Covering his own ass while whipping the ND 88 is not irony, but hypocrisy.
maverick muse on September 17, 2009 at 2:24 PM
ND is a church, a holy sanctuary where those celebrating life, and the resurrection of Jesus can gather and are welcome.
–ND is owned by a Catholic order, not the Catholic church. Would you go to the Vatican, view St. Peter’s and the Sistene Chapel and then go up to the Pope’s apartment and ask “What’s for lunch”?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Uh, Bishop John M. D’Arcy, whose diocese encompasses Notre Dame, and who requested that Notre Dame not honor Mr. Obama because “I have always revered the office of the presidency. But a bishop must teach the Catholic faith “in season and out of season,” and he teaches not only by his words – but by his actions. My decision is not an attack on anyone, but is in defense of the truth about human life.”
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 2:25 PM
And who “owns” that Order?
unclesmrgol on September 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Jenkins and ND are Holy Cross, not Jesuit.
zmdavid on September 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
You are grossly mistaken. ND is a university. A center of learning. At least in name.
atheling on September 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Yeah… TO HIM… without anything in between. ;)
mankai on September 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
So when is Pelosi going to be excommunicated? Never? I thought so.
Guardian on September 17, 2009 at 2:26 PM
You don’t have to be Mormon to go to BYU either but that doesn’t mean ND should take positions contrary to the tenets of the Roman Catholic faith. Killing babies and inviting the butchers who enable such killing to speak at commencement are two ways that ND betrays the Catholics who do attend.
highhopes on September 17, 2009 at 2:27 PM
You missed my point, highhopes. If it’s not tresspassing to go onto ND property, then it’s not tresspassing to go onto any church’s propery, right?
Jimbo3 on September 17, 2009 at 2:27 PM
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