Blame Notre Dame (FR. Jenkins) for the Shame of the Obama Game

When I got dressed up all in a satiny white dress, gloves, white patent leather shoes, and my veil to receive my First Communion, I was a proud little Catholic girl. This was oh so many years ago, but the memory is still vividly fresh. It is the first time, dressed up, that a little boy or girl is acknowledged as belonging to the collective body of the church. You are able to assume your place at Communion with the adults. Traditional, celebratory, and piety all rolled into one. No Politics.

Fast forward forty years……
What was that at Notre Dame yesterday? Father Jenkins, after notification by higher authorities of their disapproval of the Obama visit, held a pre-POTUS political speech salted with bits of religious rhetoric at a graduation ceremony. It was completely tacky and a horribly ridiculous vision statement. This is the POTUS with the most opposing view to the Catholic teachings and doctrines. My view with a religious eye is that Father Jenkins was gushing as a father over his petulant child, Obama, with a world introduction to the Catholic populace. This was unacceptable. You are either a model for the Catholic Church or you’re not. As a model for the Catholic Church, you are to elevate models for the Catholic Church or there is no model provided. This was not a Confirmation Ceremony with your stand in sponsor. Though it would be great to confirm a few details about Obama’s names and detailed bio factual documentation.

Then POTUS hits the podium, flip flop rhetoric laced with Political fantasy. uh uh uh can you hear him now? Oh, and he used up a great amount of time.

Some observations. The gentleman directly seated behind POTUS did not clap. I salute him. There was a commotion by a protester. I salute them. While Obama spoke of abortion, a baby cried, how ironic! There were heroes before the event: Alan Keyes, his supporters, Rev. Norman Weslin (the arrested priest) and his supporters, Notre Dame alumni, Notre Dame graduates and students, the Bishops and others who voiced their displeasure and opposition. Many of us who could not attend, signed the Petition to Father Jenkins totaling over 364,000 signatures. There were video views throughout the web against the visit. Heroes one and all in support of our Church Doctrine and Catholic upbringing.

But heck it was just another expensive photo op for POTUS with an “immaculate” amount of TV air time, yet an unforgivable tragedy for the honorable students who declined the hogwash Obama opined! He knew the controversy and accepted that honorary while the dedicated graduates, their families, and their supporters, lost their one and only graduation day as they would not be subjected to the traveling circus on your taxpayer dollar.