I am a father, step father, grandfather and practicing Catholic. My own father was a deacon. Dad always taught far more by his example than by words. His life was one of humility, discipline, obedience and love, always in the service of others. As St. Francis might put it, my dad evangelized always and he spoke when he had to.
Today's secular world fosters a narcissistic culture of permissiveness and immediate gratification. "Give me, give me, give me and give it to me, now!" There is no discipline or self-control. Obedience, certainly to moral authority, for the most part is discounted or non-existent. Drugs, abortion, sexual and financial excess, shattered lives and dysfunctional families are the effects. Selfishness kills a healthy society.
Our leaders and teachers, especially in the church, must teach by example in order to be effective. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2004 approved a policy statement titled "Catholics in Political Life." This statement says, with reference to pro-abortion politicians, "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
Disregard of the USCCB policy statement by the Rev. John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, is disobedient and disrespectful, not only to our own Bishop John D'Arcy, of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, but also to the entire magisterium of the church.
An impressionable Notre Dame student body needs to see the personification of virtue, especially obedience, plus a commitment to and support of moral values, not the opposite from its president. It's no wonder that the vast majority of ND students are in favor of President Obama's visit while the vast majority of alums are not.
The students are echoing the distorted values and narcissistic perspectives taught by Jenkins' example. That's shameful and heartbreaking.
Notre Dame is a world stage; it is perceived as Catholic. Jenkins' actions, however intended, will be seen by the secular world as a Catholic acceptance of Obama's policies. That's dangerous.
Obedience to the truth isn't always easy or glamorous, but it's a common thread of virtue through the lives of Mary and her divine Son. "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus … He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross." Philippians 2:3-5, 8.
D'Arcy stated that Notre Dame is choosing self-serving "prestige over truth." Our bishop's example, the USCCB statement, truly teaches Catholics and the world the right values. As John states, "For this is love, that we walk according to God's commandments. .." Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God "... do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever (does) shares in his evil works." 2 John 1:6, 9-11. This is the Truth.
Let us all pray for the church, its leaders, especially our bishop, Obama, Jenkins, Notre Dame, our community, our country and our world.
(Source: http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090412/Opinion/904120252/1064/Opinion)
Today's secular world fosters a narcissistic culture of permissiveness and immediate gratification. "Give me, give me, give me and give it to me, now!" There is no discipline or self-control. Obedience, certainly to moral authority, for the most part is discounted or non-existent. Drugs, abortion, sexual and financial excess, shattered lives and dysfunctional families are the effects. Selfishness kills a healthy society.
Our leaders and teachers, especially in the church, must teach by example in order to be effective. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2004 approved a policy statement titled "Catholics in Political Life." This statement says, with reference to pro-abortion politicians, "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
Disregard of the USCCB policy statement by the Rev. John Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, is disobedient and disrespectful, not only to our own Bishop John D'Arcy, of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, but also to the entire magisterium of the church.
An impressionable Notre Dame student body needs to see the personification of virtue, especially obedience, plus a commitment to and support of moral values, not the opposite from its president. It's no wonder that the vast majority of ND students are in favor of President Obama's visit while the vast majority of alums are not.
The students are echoing the distorted values and narcissistic perspectives taught by Jenkins' example. That's shameful and heartbreaking.
Notre Dame is a world stage; it is perceived as Catholic. Jenkins' actions, however intended, will be seen by the secular world as a Catholic acceptance of Obama's policies. That's dangerous.
Obedience to the truth isn't always easy or glamorous, but it's a common thread of virtue through the lives of Mary and her divine Son. "Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but everyone for those of others. Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus … He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even death on the cross." Philippians 2:3-5, 8.
D'Arcy stated that Notre Dame is choosing self-serving "prestige over truth." Our bishop's example, the USCCB statement, truly teaches Catholics and the world the right values. As John states, "For this is love, that we walk according to God's commandments. .." Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God "... do not receive him in your house or even greet him; for whoever (does) shares in his evil works." 2 John 1:6, 9-11. This is the Truth.
Let us all pray for the church, its leaders, especially our bishop, Obama, Jenkins, Notre Dame, our community, our country and our world.
(Source: http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090412/Opinion/904120252/1064/Opinion)