Obama at Notre Dame, Why the Controversy?

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Does ND have to be closed minded to be Catholic? Should it follow the model of Bob Jones University?
This has long been a problem at ND, which has given honorary degrees in the past to people whose religions explicitly reject core Catholic doctrines, such as immaculate conception, virgin birth, transubstantiation, Good Works, papal authority, and the power of indulgences, otherwise known as Protestants. Unlike abortion, these issues are core doctrine! Most Protestant churches are made up of screaming heretics and schismatics who oppose restoring the Catholic Church to its natural and God-given role; why give them honorary degrees? Let the Catholic Church and its affiliated universities retreat into themselves and talk only to each other! Keep the faith pure!

Byron of MI 7:16AM May 19, 2009

I was hoping for a stirring speech on pedophile priests.

Luther of IL 4:51PM May 18, 2009

If President Obama had a record against homosexuals like he has against the unborn, do you believe the Fr. Jenkins would have invited him to Notre Dame? My answer is that he wouldn't be allowed within 100 miles of the place if he was anti-homosexual. Open your eyes Catholics!! This wasn't about "hearing the other side" it was about agenda's, plain and simple. By the way were any of you as disgusted as i was watching Jenkins fall all over himself like a little school girl with a crush. I used to respect Priests, not any more.

steve of TX 3:46PM May 18, 2009

THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL NEW CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY CALLED AVE MARIA IN NAPLES FLORIDA. IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY FOR YOUR CHILD--YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT (SINCE ND IS NO LONGER "CATHOLIC")

TRISH of NY 11:47AM May 18, 2009

I don't regard Notre Dame as a Catholic institution anymore.
And I don't believe in sending my kid to Iraq either. Trumped- up charges by Bush and then constant rationlizations why we should stay there. At least I will concede that Obama is right in ending this war.

Catherine McEntee of NY 11:14AM May 18, 2009

Notre Dame cannot have its cake and eat it too.
It is either a Catholic institution or it's not.
The Bishop is the sheperd and the flock should follow
his lead, or go it's own way as a private school. Being identified as a Catholic institution is why it got where it is. (Aside from Spencer Tracy and Ronald
Regan) It even survived the "deempasis of football" of the 50"s and 60"s

Ed Nelson of WI 10:09AM May 18, 2009

The speech was wonderful - but serious and sincere. It was not combative - but made it clear that he had a position, and respected other positions as well.
Too many people making too much of one issue when there are so many issues that urgently call. Also - lots of hypocrisy from the folks who supposedly revere life of the unborn - but cheerfully suit these kids up to send them to war to be killed and kill thousands of others. When that ends - and these people demonstrate as actively against that - then I'll take their intolerant position to heart.
Obama is a legal scholar, a prior professor, and a brilliant communicator - even if you disagree with his views. The president of the university and the good father who helped work so hard on civil rights in the 1960's understand that great people don't always have exactly your views - but may have something special to contribute to the conversation.
The controversy would not have been a controversy if the media had left their hoards out of this - just covered the speech on the day of the speech - and covered the opposing viewpoint at that time as well. Classic example of over coverage.
The media would do well to discuss genetically engineered crops and their impact globally, or what is happening with the levee system in New Orleans, or some real information on the earth's climate, or what is happening to uninsured illnesses, or the dropping numbers of illegals in the USA, or what has happened to water quality regarding chemicals, or what the profiles are of the detainees at Guantanamo, or a myriad of other topics.
The media has a ridiculous habit of covering two or three stories - max. It's all about ratings, not news. The rest of the world, science, art, history, all awaits coverage. CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, shame on all of you for reporting the same thing over and over... Only CSPAN seems to really cover diverse territory without all the hype and spin.

Dorfy of SC 9:57AM May 18, 2009