Obama, Notre Dame, the Bishops and Everything Else

His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.
With a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas, President Obama was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. He was raised with help from his grandfather, who served in Patton's army, and his grandmother, who worked her way up from the secretarial pool to middle management at a bank.

Fr Martin, I am so glad that we have a voice like yours to present a balanced voice on Catholic perspectives on the issues of our day. I understand why you say you lament the fact that the Catholic right has made such a brouhaha over this issue. But it can't be denied that none of this would have happened had Notre Dame simply not extended the invitation. Yes, it is important for the Bishops be able to work with the Obama administration. But wouldn't it have been easier for them to work with him had they not been forced to call Notre Dame out for its insubordination? Don't university administrators who are priests take the same vow of obedience that you did? Do they think they're special? Exempt? Has Notre Dame gotten too big for its britches? Where is their humility? Is it so important to the prestige of Notre Dame that they have the first African American president speak at commencement? Does Notre Dame's past role in the civil rights movement entitle them to take a pass on their responsibility to teach the truth? 

Fr Martin, your radio comments mirror mine. ...however I also predict the final score..ND wins over the  50 bishops  . 8 to 1  

Amidst the controversy of abortion issues President Obama spoke at the Notre Dame graduation. Here is a copy of his speech. http://pfx.me/BU

Dear Father Martin:   Thank you for the views, comments and opinions you expressed during CNN’s telecast of Notre Dame’s Commencement Exercise. As a former seminarian and now a non-practicing Catholic, it was not only refreshing but sincerely inspirational to listen to your comments and know that there are Catholic leaders out there who continue to seek the true humanistic path that Jesus took while on earth.  It is sad that many of us in our senior years of life no longer have leaders in our faith that we can identify with.  Instead, we are given the option to either go along with the church’s current single issue stances on abortion and gay unions or speak out and be barred from the sacraments.   I sincerely sense that you are a very special individual and blessed to bring many disheartened souls back into the fold.  Keep up the great work.  My prayers are with you.