U.S. Bishops Issue Statement of Solidarity Around Criticism of Notre Dame

By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country

This makes it even harder for liberal Catholics to claim that the U.S. bishops who kept quiet about President Obama at Notre Dame represent a "silent majority" that's embarrassed by a minority of outspoken socially conservative bishops.

At its General Assembly in San Antonio last week, the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops issued a statement applauding Bishop John D'Arcy—the Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., bishop whose diocese includes the University of Notre Dame—for how he handled the school's invitation to Obama to deliver its commencement speech last month.

After the invitation was made public, D'Arcy publicly blasted the university and boycotted Obama's appearance.

This bishops just released this statement of solidarity with D'Arcy:

 The bishops of the United States express our appreciation and support for our brother bishop, the Most Reverend John D'Arcy. We affirm his pastoral concern for Notre Dame University, his solicitude for its Catholic identity, and his loving care for all those the Lord has given him to sanctify, to teach and to shepherd.

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