"Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
How does Jenkins reason that he can award Obama with an honorary law degree?
Jenkins says:
Because the title of the document is "Catholics in Political Life", we understood this to refer to honoring Catholics whose actions are not in accord with our moral principles. This interpretation was supported by canon lawyers we consulted, who advised us that, by definition, only Catholics who implicitly recognize the authority of Church teaching can act in "defiance" of it. Moreover, fellow university presidents have told me that their bishops have told them that in fact it is only Catholic politicians who are referred to in this document.
In addition, regardless of how one interprets the first sentence, the second is also important. It reads: "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions. [My italics]" In every statement I have made about the invitation of President Obama and in every statement I will make, I express our disagreement with him on issues surrounding the protection of life, such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research. If we repeatedly and clearly state that we do not support the President on these issues, we cannot be understood to "suggest support".
Jenkin's has cracked the code.
The document meant to convey that Catholic institutions can give honors to tyrants and politicians who promote mass murder, rape, stealing and other debauchery so long as they're not Catholics.
Hey, we have differences about the ovens at Auschwitz, but please accept Notre Dame's honorary Law Degree, Mr. Hitler.
What a clown
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