Dialogue. It’s a popular word right now. I think it’s partly popular because as long as dialogue continues, nobody has to actually take a stand or make a decision. We can avoid all those messy labels of right and wrong as long as there’s dialogue going on.
In fact, dialogue is often seen as a good in and of itself.
It was announced recently that Fr. John Jenkins of Notre Dame is going to the March for Life. Great news. And although it feels like a public relations decision I have no doubt that Fr. Jenkins is pro-life and would like to see every baby accepted into the world with love.
We all know Fr. Jenkins invited Barack Obama to be honored on the campus of Notre Dame in the name of almighty dialogue.
He said:
We must also engage in a dialogue that appeals to reason that all can accept.
He wrote:
I hope that we can overcome divisions to foster constructive dialogue and work together for a cause that is at the heart of Notre Dame’s mission.”
In fact, Fr. Jenkins said the word “dialogue” eight times during his Commencement speech. (Mental note: Get Fr. Jenkins a thesaurus for Christmas.)
Obama obviously liked it because he really chatted up the dialogue angle as well.
Well OK. We’re all about the dialogue. So I ask Fr. Jenkins, since you honored Obama on a Catholic campus and allowed him to speak there when does his listening part take effect. Isn’t dialogue speaking and listening? Fr. Jenkins, if Obama were actually interested in dialogue why isn’t he attending the March for Life with you to listen. Y’know in the name of dialogue and all.
But that’s not going to happen.
Wait! I know. Maybe if we honored Obama at the March for Life he would show up. We could honor him, give him some kind of medal, and let him speak. But that would be crazy right? Right? And then I’d ask why would it be crazier to honor Obama at a March for Life rally than the campus of a Catholic university?
September 22, 2009 at 4:38 am
I understand you asking the question to Jenkins, but…um…do you think he reads this blog? My guess is no.
September 22, 2009 at 4:41 am
Yes, unless you are actually emailing your question to Father Jenkins, it would appear you too are just as guilty of your ignorance concerning the word "dialogue". Maybe buy 2 thesauri?
September 22, 2009 at 4:57 am
You wrote that second comment just so you could get your little "thesauri" joke in, right?
September 22, 2009 at 5:19 am
Perhaps Father Jenkins does read your blog and might even leave anonymous comments to throw everyone off.
September 22, 2009 at 5:44 am
Wow, Matt. Anon burned you with the intensity of a wet match on a damp log during monsoon season.
September 22, 2009 at 5:48 am
It was quite awful for me I assure you. The pain of a stinging comment cuts me terribly! (Especially from an anonymous)
September 22, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I think the withdrawal of donations is working.
September 22, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Don't you think the reason Fr. J went to the white house ("On my walk home from work I pass the White House. As I was walking by just now I ran into Fr. Jenkins from Notre Dame, on his way into the White House and had a quick moment to speak with him!") was to get a pledge from Obama and his supporters to reimburse him for the anticipated drop in donations from faithful ND alumni, et al? (perhaps in stimulus spending?)
—
Personally, I blog to enter dialog with people of diff. views to learn from them and improve my arguments. The only thing is, I don't understand how someone with whom one disagrees should be given an honor and/or money for the position contrary to that one's opinion (or Truth).
–gbm3
September 22, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Don't give Fr. Jenkins those sorts of ideas Matt!
September 22, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Actually, Fr Jenkins inviting Pres Obama…or the NRLC inviting Pres Obama…is a spectacularly good idea.
Let's take the president's words at face value…I believe he's sincere in his desire to see abortion rare (misguided in method of course, and flawed in premise, but nonetheless sincere). So, let's "help him help us" and invite him.
You can't listen to the wounded women speak about their pain over their abortions, and here the passion and happiness of the crowd, and not be changed.
Mr Obama…please come to the Mall on 20 Jan. Mr Bush phoned in, you could BE THERE!
September 22, 2009 at 6:33 pm
In agreement with the anonymi that you should e-mail this thing to Fr. Jenkins. Probably won't get a response, but regardless of how jokingly they/s/he suggested it, not a bad idea anyway.
September 22, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Hope I'm not in trouble but I just sent this idea to O via facebook. Couldn't hurt right? Now I'm on his list.
St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle.
September 23, 2009 at 3:35 am
If you invited him and he accepted, then no other pro-lifers would come except for Fr. Jenkins. What kind of March for Life would that be?