All in all I think at this point you’d have to say that President Obama’s trip to Notre Dame University has been a dud. A failure. It has hurt him politically.
That honor from America’s most well known Catholic university was intended to have consequences. It was seen by the White House as an inroads into the Catholic vote. And yes, to gain support by the bishops for Obama’s legislative agenda.
Hey, let’s face it. The White House had every reason to believe that the bishops would support Obama’s universal healthcare plans.
But something happened on the way to Notre Dame. Barack Obama wakened something with his trip to Notre Dame. Something he would much rather have stayed dormant. By his trip to Notre Dame he forced many Catholic (including clergy) to reassess what it means to be Catholic. He roused many priests and bishops who had not been rallied before.
The protests have had an effect. And I think we’re seeing it now.
Why, even Fr. Jenkins is now publicly stating that he’s going to attend the March for Life. The bishops have come out strongly against Obamacare mainly because of its inclusion of abortion.
And now the White House is so shocked that it hasn’t had support from American bishops they’re now lying. Badly. I mean, I’m used to the White House lying but these aren’t even well done lies. These are open and easily verified lies.
The White House is calling the bishops stupid because they think that little wittle ol’ Obamacare bill will cover abortion.
CNS News reports:
White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs told CNSNews.com the bishops do not understand the existing law restricting federal funding of abortion.
“There may be a legal interpretation that has been lost here, but there’s a fairly clear federal law prohibiting the federal use of money for abortion,” Gibbs told CNSNews.com at Friday’s press briefing. “I think it is–again, it’s exceedingly clear in the law.
This is such a blatant lie that it’s not even worth going over it because we’ve done it so many times before. (Factcheck.org has some analysis) Once again, the Obama administration is counting on the media to be his personal stenographers and not point out his lies.
But the fact that the administration is now being forced to lie so openly and poorly reeks of desperation. And much of that desperation has been caused by the recent statement by the bishops. And much of the bishop’s unanimity on this issue was stirred up by his visit to Notre Dame.
And let’s face it. Obamacare is the only legislative priority right now for this administration. If it succeeds on this, it’ll define his Presidency. If he fails on this, it’ll likely define his Presidency. And to think all of that could hinge on a miscalculated trip to South Bend, Indiana.
October 13, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I don't think it's Obama's trip to L'Autre Dame (of M. Sanger) that might do in his healthcare plans. It's that Pro-life Democrats know what he's up to and trying to block the abortion mandate by poss. denying a procedural vote to get the (whatever version with abortion mandated) heathcare bill on the floor.
Support your pro-life dem's. Call them. Write them. Tell them. (I have none, I mean none, in MD. I wish I was still in PA with Casey, Sr.)
–gbm3
October 13, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon was a shining example of a faithfully Catholic response during the Notre Dame debacle. The National Right to Life committee just recognized her with their Proudly Pro-Life Award.
October 13, 2009 at 4:18 pm
"If God is for us, who can prevail against us?" With everyone doing their part speciall those praying at the murder sites or behind the convent walls, there is a great chance that this abortion funding via the so called healthcare reform will be stopped – God willing.
October 13, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Matthew,
I must respectfully disagree. I think Notre Dame was a master stroke of the Obama administration. If there was one group that could have stopped his radical abortion juggernaut it was the Catholic Church. American bishops – at least in part – chose a seat at the chosen one's table rather than allegiance to the vows to God. As a result, they got co-opted.
They wouldn't speak against Obama when he was running, their silence (or at least reticence) when he was feted by Notre Dame, reveals many to be the false shepherds they are when they johnny-come-lately object to his health care plan.
As one of the attorneys representing the 80+ Christians that Father Jenkins had arrested, there has not been a scintilla of backing down. And Obama continues his chortle against the Church.
Like Edmund who sold his soul to the White Witch, the bishops themselves are in great peril. Unless, like that same Edmund they bend their individual and collective knees to the Lion who is a Lamb.
And he is not a tame lion.
October 13, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Notre Dame or not, I think the recent open message from the USCCB draws a clear line in the sand. No abortion, or else. This is a good thing in and of itself. I'm glad that the USCCB has finally defined to Catholics what the primary cause for concern in this "healthcare reform" should be: the protection of innocent life. If the reform can't protect the most basic thing you need in order to get healthcare (your life!), then it is not healthcare at all.
October 13, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Michael,
But the bishops have come out strongly against the current healthcare plan.
I'm not certain this would've occured even a year ago.
October 13, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I am listening to the latest conference w/ Fr. Corapi last August in Buffalo – his only one this year. Man, this was $40 well spent. This man is on fire. And he repeatedly says it "invoke the Holy Spirit", whereever you are in life, whatever your occupation is, invoke the Holy Spirit. We are at war! And who best to equip us than the Holy Spirit.
Blessings!
October 13, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I would have to disagree wholeheartedly. What has changed at Notre Dame? Nothing. The cafeteria-Catholic base (doners and politicians) is still in power, Jenkins is still the president (even sanctimoniously marching in a pro-life parade recently), it's still as liberal as ever and the people who protested are still being prosecuted.
The bishops ARE willing to support Obama's plan provided it excludes abortion and provides for all immigrants. So, try and find a silver lining/face saving in all as you may. It was still a scandal, a disaster and low-point in American Catholicism.
October 13, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Dear Michael Hirsh and Early Riser:
time, it will take time. All things work together for good to them that love God, but in time. The devil likes to taunt us in the moment. If we have hit a low-point, it means we are now improving.
October 14, 2009 at 12:55 am
The past election year brought out more bishops raising concern over life issues than at any time in modern American history. In so doing, a seed is planted that will take months, even years to bear fruit. Anyone expecting to see results so early in the game (and that goes ditto for Notre Dame) seriously underestimates the degree to which the American bishops as a collective, have been compromised in the last forty years.
Is this a victory for Obama? Is this a death knell for his legacy? Ask me after the next election year. Then again, it might be clearer on its own.
October 14, 2009 at 1:51 am
David – it is BECAUSE I KNOW the American bishops as a collective have been "compromised" (to put it extremely mildly) that I don't expect results. I applaud Bishop John D'Arcy and likeminded companions in their stance. But I also don't understand why they could not have taken the next step: walk into the Notre Dame boardroom while in session, tell Jenkins he will have to step down immediately, and tell the board Obama will not receive the honorary award lest they strip Notre Dame as a Catholic institution and thus block all funding, mention and use of it as such.
In mideaval times this would have been such a non-issue. There was always a constant back-and-forth in power-plays between church and state, and the church NEVER backed down. It seems that now ineffectiveness is the modus operandi.
October 14, 2009 at 2:08 am
Early Riser:
"But I also don't understand why they could not have taken the next step …"
You only know that they haven't taken it YET. It doesn't mean they won't eventually, if not in the way you expect. It helps to know that in the late 60s, Notre Dame turned its governance over from a religious order of priests to a board of lay trustees. That's the short version of the story. In any case, it makes it more difficult for canonical action to be taken.
Short of the local bishop removing the designation "Catholic" from ND entirely. I would maintain that the situation, while dire, is not that far gone.
Yet.
October 14, 2009 at 6:03 am
David, obviously it hasn't happened yet. My point is that it didn't happen in a timely fashion; namely BEFORE THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES.
Also, what do you think would have happened if there were bishops among the protesters? What do you think would have happened if Jenkins were told directly to allow any form of protest to be held unabaited? Meanwhile, those arrested (some very notable people among them) have mounting legal bills due to the charges and court appearances ahead of them. All Jenkins has to do is not press charges. Why hasn't he been commanded to drop them?
As a cradle Catholic I'm fully aware that "things take time" in the Catholic church. But there are some things that need to happen in a timely fashion before an eminent event. This is one.
October 14, 2009 at 2:08 pm
"As a cradle Catholic I'm fully aware that "things take time" in the Catholic church."
… but not aware that they take place on God's time, not yours. You forgot about the late Bishop Vaughn being arrested in front of abortion clinics, and didn't exactly light a fire with his confreres. You also failed to address my answers to your questions. If I didn't know better, I would suspect you prefer asking questions to getting answers.
Which begs yet another: what would you do with an answer you couldn't ignore?
October 14, 2009 at 8:33 pm
David – "God's time?" Really? That's such a sappy cop-out it's ridiculous. The magesterium is made up of men, who are biologically human, not Gods. As a bishop it is his human responsibility to act when appropriate to address specific needs in his diocese.
I have been proposing questions because I don't understand why certain bishops have not been more proactive here. And your answers are…well…lacking. It's not that I failed to address your answers, it's just that I didn't bother, since I didn't think they were worth much on this issue.
Once again, I know people are trying to find a silver-lining here, but the fact is this was a major battle that was lost. Not saying the war doesn't continue, but this is one black-eye the Catholic church will carry around for a long time (along with the abuse scandal and the Kennedy funeral).
October 14, 2009 at 9:03 pm
"That's such a sappy cop-out it's ridiculous …"
In most situtations, the same can be said, for having it all figured out what everybody else should be doing but ourselves.
Which makes me wonder why *I* bother.