Fr. John I. Jenkins, President of the University of Notre Dame, announced that he’s “disappointed” that former Vatican Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon has declined to provide cover for the University by standing on the dais with President Obama. He then announced that it’s his intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient.
Just for reference, The Laetare Medal is annually awarded by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic church and society.
So I’m looking for a list of those who you think Fr. Jenkins will pick. (Not who he should pick)
OK. It’s up to you. I’m not a betting man but David Freddoso jokingly asked if it would be Joe Biden and I’m sure you guys have some suggestions as well.
I’m definitely thinking that no pro-life hero can possibly stand in now so I’m thinking Fr. Jenkins is going to be looking for a “social justice” hero.
I’ll get us started:
1) Nancy Pelosi
2) Doug Kmiec
3) Caroline Kennedy
Now, it’s up to you…
(Oh, and there’s no truth to the rumor that Fr. Richard McBrien sent over candy and forget-me-nots to Fr. Jenkins today just to wish him well in these trying times.)
April 27, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Ted Kennedy (noble promotion of health care for all, except those in a drunken car crash or those unborn non-human critters)
Fr. Jenkins (in honor of his own courage)
Barack Obama (after all, he’s more pro-life than anyone, and who has done more for the Catholic Church than Barry?)
The editorial staff of National Catholic Reporter
Pretty much anyone on the original bracket here: http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FHzhz1gm0TM/Sb3Aawu5O5I/AAAAAAAABk4/CIzv-Q9YKho/s800/CMRbrackets.jpg
April 27, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Rev Tom Reese
Jim Tallegendanson – my next door neighbor who doesn’t go to Mass anymore (except for Christmas and Easter), voted for the One, has a poster of Chris Matthews in his garage, and subscribes to Newsweek and Time.
April 27, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Maybe Chris Matthews cancels on Saint Joseph’s University and races to Notre Dame to accept the award.
April 27, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I think the safe bet is that he will walk back from this, realizing that any pro-life Catholic with bona fides will not accept sloppy seconds here, which would then necessitate Fr. Jenkins to double-down on the pro-choice awards this season. The man lacks clarity of thought, but I bet even he has learned his lesson here.
If he doesn’t rethink this apparently knee-jerk decision, then my bet is that he will pick someone fairly obscure who has spent their entire life working anonymously for a non-profit or serving the poor in some other self-sacrificing way. A person like that would feel awfully tempted to accept the award just on the fact that it would shower more publicity on their charity (and perhaps translate into donations) than they could ever achieve on their own. That strong temptation would decrease the chance that such a person would turn down the award.
Just my $0.02.
April 27, 2009 at 11:38 pm
That’s easy. Octomom.
Denny’s named a big breakfast for her: eight pancakes, eight eggs, eight home-fry paddies, eight strips of bacon, but no sausage.
April 27, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Tony Blair!
Cardinal Mahoney
Fr. Reese is a good choice as well…
April 28, 2009 at 12:08 am
How about just some guy that happens to walk past the campus that day. The medal has become meaningless anyways.
OR – How about flying in Dr. Henry Morgentaler from Canada. That notorious mass-murderer was awarded Canada’s top honor last year. I’m sure he’d be happy to receive another medal.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/feb/08022003.html
April 28, 2009 at 12:14 am
It’ll be someone more obscure. They definitely won’t go with a big name politician or any big name of the sort. As I read somewhere, they probably already have a second and third choice set up. It’ll be one of them, assuming they don’t decline.
I like the speculation of one commenter at the AmP site. They suggested someone connected to the university, on the board or the faculty. Such a person would be more bound to accept, it wouldn’t be flashy (it can’t be now). They’ll go with a safe choice.
April 28, 2009 at 12:19 am
I’ve got the perfect person to nominate, and it will even deliver some synchronicity with an “up and coming blockbuster movie”… Dan Brown!
April 28, 2009 at 1:44 am
Kathleen Sebelius.
April 28, 2009 at 2:06 am
My guess is Ken Woodward, ND alumnus, religion reporter for Newsweek, author of several religious-themed books, who would not turn down the award, and sufficiently open-minded to serve the needs of the current ND administration.
April 28, 2009 at 2:07 am
Father Michael Pfleger
April 28, 2009 at 4:33 am
Just about anyone who won’t turn it down.
April 28, 2009 at 5:35 am
How about Jeremiah Wright? Family reunion on the podium.
April 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Lucifer…no wait, he’s giving the commencement.
how about Dr Tiller.
April 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm
The highest bidder on eBay.
April 28, 2009 at 4:20 pm
How about Archbishop Burke? In the spirit of his: flaying Notre Dame and Father Jenkins on their own stage, declining to accept the award as it is being handed to him, turning his back on Obama and Jenkins and walking off the stage.
April 28, 2009 at 5:35 pm
John Allen…
However, more interesting than who they’ll give the award to, is whether the new person will accept it? Wouldn’t it be something if they couldn’t find someone willing to accept it, now that Mary Ann Glendon has turned it down?
April 28, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Don’t worry. Notre Dame is already taking steps to find a new medal recipient:
http://southbend.craigslist.org/evg/1143896969.html😉
April 28, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Sister Chittister.