Unam Ecclesiam: Notre Dame Scandal - The Questions We Must Ask

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Notre Dame Scandal - The Questions We Must Ask

Who, What, Where, and Why?

Fr. Jenkins, the President of 164 year old Notre Dame, plans on exalting President Obama by making him only the 9th President to receive an honorary degree from the Catholic University at this Sunday's commencement ceremony. The questions we all need to ask about this decision are who, what, where, and why. However, the more Notre Dame speaks, the more questions are raised.

In defense of his decision Fr. Jenkins made this statement in a letter to the graduating class of 2009:

"There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama," wrote Fr. Jenkins. "He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame . . . Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the good will that will come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decision on matters of human life and human dignity."

Aren't there already Catholic public officials in place 'who make decisions on matters of human life and human dignity' like Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, John Kerry, Kathleen Sebelius, etc.? Is an honorary degree to Obama meant to bring Biden, Pelosi, Sebelius, and Kerry into closer relations? Will they have a group hug when Obama returns with his prize? Will Obama tell these Catholic politicians 'go forth and become pro-life with me'? Will giving a rare honorary degree to a staunch pro-abortion president like Obama bring him around? Will Obama think, while holding his free degree in hand, 'you know I might reverse Roe v. Wade'?

After discerning Obama's staunch pro-abortion track record let's see how receptive he might be by Fr. Jenkins 'subtle' hints about the pro-life position :

"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you" (Matt. 7:6)

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Unam Ecclesiam

From the Credo - Latin for "I believe" - the Nicene Creed prayed during the Latin Mass.

The Credo

The Nicene Creed—also known as the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed—was composed and refined during the ecumenical Councils of Nicea and Constantinople in the early fourth century; these councils defended the true nature of Jesus against heresies of the time. This Nicene Creed (from the Latin word credo, “I believe”) declares that Jesus was indeed both true God and true man.

All the people join in chanting the Credo in the Gregorian simple tone.

Listen to the Latin: 60 sec. music \| Text not available
CREDO in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem caeli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.	I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
Et in unum Dominum Iesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum. Et ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero. Genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt.	And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages; God from God, light of light, true God of true God; begotten, not made; consubstantial with the Father, by Whom all things were made.
Qui propter nos homines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de caelis. Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine: ET HOMO FACTUS EST. Hic genuflectitur.	Who for us men, and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, *AND WAS MADE MAN. * All genuflect while reciting these words.
Crucifixus etiam pro nobis: sub Pontio Pilato, passus et sepultus est. Et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas. Et ascendit in caelum: sedet ad dexteram Patris.	He was crucified also for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third day he arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven. He sitteth at the right hand of the Father:
Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, iudicare vivos et mortuos: cujus regni non erit finis.	and He shall come again with glory, to judge the living and the dead: and His kingdom shall have no end.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.	And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas.	Who, together with the Father and the Son, is adored and glorified: Who spoke by the prophets.
Et unam, sanctam, Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam.	And one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum. Et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.	I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. And I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.