Notre Dame waffles on Donald Trump invitation after Obama caused ‘circus’
This Washington Times story should surprise no one. Jenkins and the current Notre Dame ideology is completely opposed to anything but the most ‘progressive’ viewpoint.
Notre Dame University may not extend an invitation to President-elect Donald Trump to this year’s graduation, a move that would break with a decades-long tradition of inviting presidents in their first year to deliver the main commencement address at the South Bend campus.
University President John Jenkins said the 2009 commencement featuring President Obama was a “political circus” that he is loath to repeat at this year’s ceremony.
“I do think the elected leader of the nation should be listened to. And it would be good to have that person on the campus — whoever they are, whatever their views,”
Mr. Jenkins told The Observer, the student-run publication of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s. “At the same time, the 2009 Commencement was a bit of a political circus, and I think I’m conscious that that day is for graduates and their parents — and I don’t want to make the focus something else.”
“My concern a little bit is that, should the new president come, it may be even more of a circus,” he added.
Conservative cardinals and bishops opposed the invitation of Mr. Obama at the time, citing his views on abortion which run contrary to church teaching. Prominent alumni also lobbied the school to disinvite the president.
Five other presidents have delivered the main commencement address at Notre Dame: Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Former President Bill Clinton, who supports abortion rights, was not invited to speak upon taking office.
I did find that last sentence in the story curious. It suggests Clinton wasn’t invited because he ‘supports abortion’ as the reason. Then what about BO?:
Of course it is all about how vulnerable or loyal to the hierarchy the current Notre Dame powers-that-be feel (or how serious the hierarchy is). Of late it is about political correctness with the left. Thus the Obama invite and we bet a Trump non-invite. They fear nothing from the U.S. hierarchy and certainly not Rome. Ecclesiastical notices carried the day back in the 90’s as regards invites to pro-abortion Clinton. It was “damn the torpedoes” with pro-abortion Obama, “he’s our guy.”
DLH
