Time to Act!

We did our first two-hour radio program, "Pro-Life Unity Radio", on Liberty Works Radio Network yesterday, May 9th. Aside from some initial technical difficulties, it went fairly well. In the fifth of six segments, we discussed the Notre Dame scandal, as they intend to honor Mr. Obama. Allen Keys and 21 other were arrested yesterday, for "trespassing", to demonstrate their disapproval of this planned event. They were charged with trespass, a misdemeanor, and $250.00 fine. I believe the protest is misdirected.

The only real leverage in this matter is the Church. That really is the point. That is the scandal! The Catholic Church is not a democracy or republic. So, why petition? Why demonstrate? Expect the Church to act. The Catholic Church is an organization with rules, and a chain of command that depends on obedience, with jurisdictional matters decided by the local Bishop. In Pope John Paul II's teaching document Ex Corde Ecclesiae, this authority is referenced in five separate places. The local Bishop has the authority and the responsibility to proclaim a college or university, "Catholic".

As this confrontation builds, the lack of leadership within the Church will be front and center. This problem never should have gotten this far out of hand. The remnant faithful in our Church, and the country at large, will be confirmed in our principles, if and when the local bishop, Bishop John D'Arcy, does more than just "disapprove". It is great that he has enough moral compass to recognize this scandal, but he has a responsibility to his flock. He is responsible for the Catholic Church in his area. What the Catholic or "universal " Church does in South Bend, affects the church in Baltimore.

Bishop D'Arcy should find the Notre Dame administration in violation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and give them a deadline, as to when he WILL remove ND's Catholic credentials. It's that simple. The Bishop has to take ACTION! This is not meant to second guess the bishop, rather it is just a statement of the obvious. The Church either acts now, or we scatter. It takes a special father to ACT in this politically charged environment. Pray for spiritual testosterone for Bishop D'Arcy.