Comments on Fighting Irish Thomas: Barack at Notre Dame? Our Lady Strikes Back!Notre ...

Steven -- If you've lumped me in with Hannity or L...

2009-05-18T09:07:27.718-05:00

Steven -- If you've lumped me in with Hannity or Limbaugh, you haven't read me very closely. While capital punishment IS wrong -- according to the Church -- in almost every circumstance, abortion is "intrinsically evil," and thus the killing of an innocent baby is not the equivalent of putting to death a murderer/rapist. Also the bishops' DETAILED statement telling EXACTLY what a Catholic university can and cannot do (when inviting those who are against Church teachings) came out in 2004, three years after Bush spoke at ND. So protesting a Bush invitation NOW would definitely be legit ... but do you really expect a sane person to get just as excited over the killing of a tree as the murder of a baby?

Last time I checked, our Church is opposed to the ...

2009-05-17T12:49:00.000-05:00

Last time I checked, our Church is opposed to the death penalty. George W. Bush committed more prisoners to death in Texas than any other governor in recent memory, so where was the outrage when he spoke at Notre Dame? If memory serves, our Church is also opposed to divorce. So where was the righteous indignation when Ronald Reagan spoke? In contrast to W and Reagan, who violated virtually every one of our Church's teachings on social justice and respect for our planet, President Obama's policies are consistent with our Church on just about everything with the exception of abortion. Therefore, you people are remarkably inconsistent to whom you choose to direct your "outrage". For the last time, the Catholic Church is NOT an arm of the Republican Party! Those of you who are trying to make it so are either ill-informed or ill-intentioned. Stop listening to losers like Randall Terry, Alan Keyes, Hannity, Limbaugh, et al who are the REAL threat to God's word and please start thinking for yourselves.

Thanks Trish -- If Obama is merely another un-humb...

2009-05-15T11:29:49.944-05:00

Thanks Trish -- If Obama is merely another un-humble politician (and not a future Antichrist) we should consider ourselves lucky! Keep praying. --Tom

Thank you Tom, for what you do! From an Irish Cath...

2009-05-14T12:16:00.000-05:00

Thank you Tom, for what you do! From an Irish Catholic American, marrried to an Irish Catholic American -with 4 children (and 5 soon to be 7 grandchildren)
I cannot believe that Obama would not himself, have declined this offer gracefully; but that would have taken an awesome amount of humility and he has none.
He strives to divide Catholics, and all conservative thinkers. I fear he will succeed, unless God steps in soon.

Anon -- Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:52:00 PMI thin...

2009-03-28T14:37:42.983-05:00

Anon -- Thursday, March 26, 2009 11:52:00 PM

I think you need a lesson in history (not to mention spelling). You have only a sanitized version of St. Francis, which contains his love for animals but not his harsh condemnation of the corrupt civil and religious authorities. And, as far as Jesus goes, you apparently never read his railing against the Pharisees (Matt 23) or His chasing and chastising the money-changers (John 2:13-25), leaders who were so anti-life they even killed Christ ... and their logic for doing so ("It's better for one man to die than the whole nation to suffer") is the same logic Obama uses to support abortion ...

Mr O"tooleDidn't jesus preach to the everyone. Why...

2009-03-26T23:52:00.000-05:00

Mr O"toole
Didn't jesus preach to the everyone. Why so much fear of Obama? He hasn't sign foca yet but you condemn him. i think you guys are sometimes nuts and want to prejudge everyone that does agree 100% with your cult teachings. Lets face the church has also made a mess in history..I don't think Jesus envision his church to be a rome type church..Jesus was more like St Francis of Assisi..simple . honest and tolerant. He chased those bad guys out of the temple.. Not allowing the president at ND would be a disgraceful and rude response..your P.O.P.E crusade is unchristian and unpatriotic
Cool it tom

Rose -- Wow, another '81'er!While I never formally...

2009-03-24T23:34:11.468-05:00

Rose -- Wow, another '81'er!

While I never formally left the Faith (dabbling first with non-institutional faith, then non-denoms), there's No Doubt Mary brought me all the way back. I like the Student-Rosary idea; perhaps the ND student pro-life group can adopt it. Did you sign the Cardinal Newman petition? It's grown from 28,000 signatures to nearly 104,000 in about 24 hours. Both RealCatholicTV and Joe Scheidler's groups are planning protests, so this could be the real deal, the day we brought Notre Dame back to Our Lady ... keep praying!

God's grace & Mary's prayers,
Tom O'Toole, Class of (yes!) 1981

Hi TomThanks for this article. I am including Fr....

2009-03-24T08:13:00.000-05:00

Hi Tom
Thanks for this article. I am including Fr. Jenkins in my daily Rosary, pleading for his conversion and that he gains the strength to examine his conscience and actions and do what is right.
You're correct in saying that Our Lady is responsible for us having an active Catholic faith, I left the Church shortly after I graduated from ND in 1981. It was a harsh life for several years until a perceptive Methodist minister suggested I reexamine my roots. Upon receiving that advice, I returned to the Catholic Church and made a thorough confession. Never at Notre Dame was confession even mentioned! I'd be surprised if many of us took part in that sacrament while at school.
Should BHO actually appear at graduation, I would like to see students process in and immediately process out of the building, or they get on their knees and quietly but obviously pray the Rosary during BHO's portion of the ceremonies. There is nothing disrepectful about that kind of statement of conviction. But will they be pressured into conforming?
Rose '81
P.S. I am struggling with how to indicate my disapproval more strongly; as money talks, we will likely not renew our Sorin Society membership if this continues.

Dear James -- First of all, do not lose hope. Reca...

2009-03-22T14:27:19.732-05:00

Dear James -- First of all, do not lose hope. Recall the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington movie ... the key is always, however Rudy-esque it seems, to not give up. Sacred Heart and the Grotto are still there for him, and although (sadly) your son hasn't met any ND students of like minds, I know they are there, cowering perhaps, but in attendance.

Yes, it seems like the day of Pope Alexander when Rome was about to get sacked. But though many predicted the Church's demise then (as now) the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And as far as Notre Dame goes, we are not the Fightin' Irish for nothing.

Encourage your son to go to the Grotto daily; I would look forward to hearing from him.

Ever Devoted in Notre Dame,
Tom O'Toole

My son is a junior at Notre Dame - and he is sicke...

2009-03-22T10:15:00.000-05:00

My son is a junior at Notre Dame - and he is sickened by this. He told me and my wife yesterday that he is ashamed to be attending Notre Dame - and that (and he is right), its 'leadership' has chosen Satan over God.

Notre Dame is still worth fighting for - but as my son points out - there is an all out attack, from within and without, to destroy Catholic opposition to baby murder (and other horrible evils). We are also sickened, and as usual, betrayed by fellow so-called Catholics. 'Father' Jenkins is earning treasures not in the kingdom of heaven, but in a different sort of kingdom.

Most disturbingly, according to our son, he has been attacked and vilified by many students for opposing the the Obama honorarium.

I regret that we allowed our son to attend Notre Dame. They are destroying the faith of many. It IS Satanic.

James

Tom,Perhaps the students have considered or are c...

2009-03-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

Tom,

Perhaps the students have considered or are considering civil disobedience. Orthodox student leaders are discussing possible courses of action this weekend.

It will also be interesting to learn what Bishop D'Arcy has to say in advance, especially the next few days. While he may believe that Our Lady can deal with the situation better than he can by cutting ties he has certainly spoken to issues of the Faith on campus without compromise on several occasions.

Unfortunately the impact of this is not limited to Notre Dame. Obama will use this, of course, to imply to even more Catholics that blatant promotion of abortion IS compatible with their Faith. Most dangerous, however is the way in which certain Catholic theologians, a handful of disident bishops, and disident clergy will use this event to marginalize Bishop Martino and others who are insisting on orthodoxy in academe and the public square -- even in some measure the USCCB.

Jim -- Ironically, when I heard this news, I was r...

2009-03-21T19:20:33.511-05:00

Jim -- Ironically, when I heard this news, I was reading Fr. Hesburgh's autobiography, that chapter where he was dealing with the student unrest (including storming administration buildings) of the 60s. Now the kids actually have a righteous cause to do so. And of course the ND Administration Building is the Golden Dome.

What a scandal! On one hand we have our bishops do...

2009-03-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

What a scandal!

On one hand we have our bishops doing a good job of opposing the Obama agenda of death. On the other hand we have the most famous Catholic university in America honoring him.

The schism in our beloved church has existed since July 25, 1968. I think it is time for the official Church to acknowledge the schism. Let us have clarity on who is in....and who is out. Faithful Catholics want to know.

I have heard that the student body at Notre Dame has many faithful pro life Catholics. Students of Notre Dame-

TO THE BARRICADES!!!!

Occupy the admin building - shut them down until the invitation is rescinded.

Thanks for being right on top of this. Mr. Fit.

Flossie -- By all means, you could write ND and sa...

2009-03-20T21:58:53.086-05:00

Flossie -- By all means, you could write ND and say you're withholding your contributions. As far as I understand, Bishop D'Arcy (since ND is not directly run by Rome) would almost have to excommunicate Fr. Jenkins (the one responsible for Barack's appearance at ND) to get Jenkins out ... and if he STILL didn't leave (or didn't rescind the invitation), I suppose Notre Dame, at least for the moment could not honestly be called a Catholic university.

Anon -- Friday, March 20, 2009 9:16:00 PMTwo words...

2009-03-20T21:43:21.274-05:00

Anon -- Friday, March 20, 2009 9:16:00 PM

Two words; Our Lady.

Hi Tom, Since what you wrote might not come true...

2009-03-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

Hi Tom,
Since what you wrote might not come true, I was thinking of another area of attack.
What if the faithful alumni all wrote a note of denial and sent it to the ND president when the usual request for support arrived or temporarily suspended their ongoing support?
I can't understand how any priest that takes a vow of obedience, will disregard the local bishop and allow this to happen. Did he actually allow it, or did he invite the pro death president?

How did you remain firm in your faith having gradu...

2009-03-20T21:16:00.000-05:00

How did you remain firm in your faith having graduated from ND?

Michael -- Thanks for writing/praying. Indeed it's...

2009-03-20T19:27:40.059-05:00

Michael -- Thanks for writing/praying. Indeed it's a sad day, but on the other hand, maybe this is what it takes to mobilize Our Lady's Army.

God's grace & Mary's prayers,
Tom

P.S. GO 'Nova! Final Four or all the way?

Tom, I'm so sad about this. This is such a disgra...

2009-03-20T19:06:00.000-05:00

Tom, I'm so sad about this. This is such a disgrace for such an esteemed institution - not a surprise, mind you, because McBrien is a disgrace himself, but nonetheless. I only hope and pray the bishop there shows the same sort of courage as Bishop Martino.