I have never been a fan of Notre Dame. Perhaps the ‘subway alumni’ and the glorification of Knute Rockne and others down through the years didn’t sit well with me. But hey, let’s put sports aside for a moment and talk about politics.
The invitation of President Obama to the May commencement at Notre Dame under the watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus is indeed great political and religious fodder. And one of the leading voices of dissent is none other than Bishop John D’Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese which includes Notre Dame.
The bishop says he will not attend the ceremony because he disagrees with Obama’s policies on stem cell research and the funding of international family planning groups which can advise abortions as an alternative form of birth control.