Hey, DU'ers -- if you want to show the President of Notre Dame some support for inviting Pres. Obama

[antigop]

I just sent an e-mail in support.

[e-mail]

I'm sure they are getting deluged. The fundies are organizing over this one big time. Due to the volume of e-mails, put something like I SUPPORT YOUR DECISION TO INVITE PRESIDENT OBAMA in the subject line so they know it is a letter of support.

Rev. John Jenkins is under a lot of fire. Let's show some support.

[geckosfeet]

1. done

[FrenchieCat]

2. Done Did!

Thanks! :hi:

[FightingIrish]

3. I posted this earlier. Father Jenkins is getting some high level support

CEO of GE Defends Notre Dame Invitation to President Obama

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8366736&mesg_id=8366736

The president of the Notre Dame Alumni Association has written a letter praising the invitation of President Obama.

This article from the South Bend Tribune really pleased me.

Notre Dame sports: Jenkins’ support of Obama cheered


Tim Brown, a Heisman Trophy winner for the Notre Dame football team in 1987, said that Notre Dame needs to showcase the President's visit to attract minorities, and hopes for more support from Jenkins.

"I appreciate what Father Jenkins said, but he needs to go on CNN and say this," Brown said. "This needs to be said on a national stage. This is important for Notre Dame and what we're trying to do here."

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090421/SPORTS13/904210387/1001/Sports

[antigop]

6. Good news, but it looks like the Bishop is playing hardball here.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bishop threatened excommunication.

[FightingIrish]

11. I'm not an expert on canon law but I don't think the bishop has any jurisdiction

Father Jenkins is a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross and not a diocesan priest. He reports to the board of trustees of the university for matters of university policy.

[antigop]

12. Ok, thanks. I'm sure they will press every button they can, though. n/t

[FightingIrish]

13. You're right about that. They're dragging in other bishops and high hypocrites

I did find this from the Congregation of the Holy Cross regarding bishops.

“The diocesan bishop has the right of vigilance over and visitation of the Catholic schools located in his territory, even those schools which have been established or are being directed by members of religious institutes; he is likewise competent to issue prescriptions dealing with the general regulation of Catholic schools; such prescriptions are also operative for those schools which are directed by religious, with due regard for their autonomy regarding the internal management of their schools.” (Canon 806.1)

My emphasis added

My take is that the bishop can prohibit the university from teaching about the Flying Spaghetti Monster in theology courses but he can't tell them whom to invite or bestow honorary degrees upon.

[antigop]

18. Thanks for that info. n/t

[RB TexLa]

27. I'd bet most of the corrections in the theology departments from that authority

are probably the opposite of preventing teaching about a Flying Spaghetti Monster but reminding theologists the best answer is often "I/We don't know."

[Joey Liberal]

4. Done! nt

[lapfog_1]

5. Amazing that we should even have to contemplate this.

The President of the United States should be a welcome guest (and honored) at any public and private
institutions in the United States.

[antigop]

7. Thanks for all the support. Keep it up. Fr. Jenkins needs to hear from us. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

8. Not really. There are plenty of state Us with lower income kids that would love to have

the president speak at their graduation.

Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Union in Richmond and Old Dominion and Norfolk State in VA.
UMBC in MD.
U. Delaware
East Carolina.
Penn St.
SUNY Binghampton.

You know, if you add up all the degrees, Bill, Hill, BHO and Michelle have...NONE are from a public university. All private.

[texastoast]

9. Done. nt

[antigop]

10. Thank you. n/t

[Uzybone]

14. Done

My sister is a Notre Dame alum so I'll have her do the same.

[antigop]

20. Thanks. Be sure she mentions that she is an alum. n/t

[Riley18]

15. Done

[antigop]

23. Thanks. n/t

[FightingIrish]

16. I know I'm speaking heresy here, but this might work.

Notre Dame got a gift from God in the form of a football commitment from the most sought after defensive player in the country. Manti T'eo is a senior at the Punahou School in Hawaii, Barack Obama's alma mater. His choice also persuaded a team mate, Robby Toma, to commit to Notre Dame. Not welcoming this particular president to the campus would be a huge insult and embarrassment to both of these kids. I know Newt Gingrich, Randall Terry and the other born yet again Catholics don't give a damn about Notre Dame football, but some of the outspoken alumni, subway or real, might be very upset if these two stars decided to seek a school with more tolerance and respect for diversity. Maybe it's time for Charlie Weis to speak up in support of Father Jenkins

[antigop]

19. Sounds like a plan. I also sent an e-mail to Michael Moore. He at least was raised Catholic.

If he could put something on his website, that might get some attention.

[FightingIrish]

28. It looks like Charlie Weis answered that question

While Weis spoke openly about his knees, there was at least one topic he wouldn’t touch Thursday: President Obama.

When asked about the decision to invite Obama to speak at Notre Dame’s commencement next month, Weis quickly deflected the question.

The invitation has sparked debate and protests from Catholics, including a decision to not attend the graduation by Bishop John D’Arcy of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Weis did not indicate – nor was he asked Thursday – whether he’ll attend the school’s May graduation.

“I’m the head football coach at Notre Dame. That’s what I am,” Weis said. “I’m not a politician. I’m not here to make political statements. I’m the head football coach. I’m worried about the state of the union of Notre Dame football.”

http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20090424/SPORTS/304249991/1008/SPORTS

If he boycotts the graduation that likely included some of his players, T'eo and Toma should walk.

[antigop]

29. Thanks for the update. n/t

[antigop]

30. Can they do this (walk)? Haven't they signed contracts or something? n/t

[FightingIrish]

31. They have signed letters of intent

T'eo is a Mormon and will be taking a year off anyhow for a mission. He could take it next year and not lose eligibility or have so sit out a year at another school. Toma's situation is different, but he might elect to leave if T'eo bolts. I wouldn't be surprised if Pete Carroll of USC is following this closely. I love Notre Dame but I want no part of this hypocrisy.

[antigop]

32. Maybe we need to push Charlie a bit?

http://apps.nd.edu/webdirectory/directory.cfm?pid=%25%3E869]\T%20%0A

Email:
[e-mail]

What say you?

<edit to add> There seems to be a problem with the above link.

Here is the info:

Charles Joseph Weis
Affiliation: Staff
Title: Head Coach , Football

Address:
Guglielmino Complex
Notre Dame, IN 46556
574 631 7475

Email:
[e-mail]

[FightingIrish]

34. I'm in

Dear Coach Weis,

I am looking forward to a breakout year for the Fighting Irish. As an alumnus I am embarrassed by the attention being drawn to the university by the flap over President Obama’s invitation to address the 2009 commencement. As you well know, the university has honored many others in the past who are not in complete agreement with the teachings of the Church. Sadly many non-affiliated Catholics and fundamentalist Christians want to make President Obama’s address and honorary degree a circus for their cause, which may not be entirely about faith in the first place.

You have landed two fine commits from Punahou school. Please don’t let an intolerant few insult and embarrass them by snubbing a man they likely take great pride in. Any suggestion that you might not attend the commencement exercise should be confronted with the same courage and commitment that Tim Brown spoke with last week. Notre Dame’s credibility as a Catholic university is not at stake. It’s credibility as a university is at stake.

[antigop]

35. Wonderful! Thanks. Great letter. n/t

[antigop]

33. and I'd like to point out that if he's "not a politician", he's the "head football coach",...

shouldn't he support any graduating seniors by attending the commencement exercises?

[stillcool]

17. done...

Good evening. I am so sorry to hear that you are under attack for inviting the President of the United States to speak at your Commencement. I don't know what has happened to my country, or my Church. When I was growing up the nuns at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary School taught me about God, the Apostles, Saints, Prayer, Sin, and many other things, but disrespect for the President of the United States was not in the mix. It is very sad to see some of the worst traits of mankind being displayed by the Church. I hope you weather this storm, and that you, The Catholic Church, and Notre Dame come out the better for having gone through it. Peace.

[antigop]

22. Thank you. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

21. I don't, but thanks anyway.

[antigop]

24. Thanks to everyone who responded. n/t

[Ocracoker16]

25. done

[antigop]

26. Thank you. n/t