April 27, 2009

Commencement speech aborted

According to Mary Ann Glendon, President Barack Obama is "a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church's position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice."

Or could it be that Obama has his own position, one based in something other than religious doctrine — i.e., substantive due process and United States Supreme Court precedent — that has absolutely no connection with the Roman Catholic Church's.

In fact I'm certain Obama has expressed sympathy with — and not opposition to — similar religious positions. But this isn't a theocracy.

Previous recipients of the Laetare Medal include an assiduous serial adulterer, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and the actor Martin Sheen.

Isn't Martin Sheen an atheist?

"Thank God I'm an atheist." — Luis Buñuel

4 comments:

patrick said...

I think Glendon is to be congratulated for her position--even if you disagree with it. Unlike most of us, she is willing to put up something concrete, and we should all respect actions like hers. By the way, she isn't atacking Obama here, but rather challenging Notre Dame to stand by their ideals. Institutions should stand behind their charters or alter them.

illusory tenant said...

I'm indifferent to her opinion. But it's dishonest to say Obama is an opponent of the Church's position simply because his own is not in concordance with it.

grumps said...

Remember the good old days when a candidate for President had to pledge to not be beholden to Rome for policy guidance?

Whatever happened to that?

Tom said...

Remember the good old days when a candidate for President had to pledge to not be beholden to Rome for policy guidance?

Whatever happened to that?
Yah, I sure miss those good old days when Catholics were persecuted for their beliefs in just about every element of American culture. Fun times!