As Catholics we are aware of the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world. That is why it is inconceivable that Notre Dame University, a Catholic institution of higher learning, should receive and honor anyone who promotes policies that are contradictory to who we are as a people of faith.
As our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI stated in his visit to the U.S. last year in reference to Catholic university presidents, "to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the church would obstruct or even betray the university's identity and mission."
Mass of Reparation
May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Cathedral of St. James
215 N. Orange Avenue
Downtown OrlandoCome and pray with Bishop Wenski for all of our transgressions against the Gospel of Life.
Reparation is the making amends for a wrong done or for an offense against God. By his death on the cross, the Son of God offered his life out of love for the Father to make reparation for our sinful disobedience (CCC #614).
We are obliged to make reparation for personal sins against justice and truth (CCC #2412 and #2487).
Now, we probably should note that while Notre Dame is the context, the stated intention of the Mass is not reparation for Notre Dame's actions, but for:
all of our transgressions against the Gospel of Life.
Here's the thing. If this were, indeed (as some might read it), a Mass in Reparation for the Sins of Notre Dame..that would be inappropriate and kind of strange. But it seems (seems - I'm just guessing) as if what has happened here is an examination of conscience of sorts.
We are Catholic. We are disciples of Jesus. We bear the name of Christ as part of our identity.
How faithful are we?
How faithful are any of us?
How seriously and deeply do we immerse ourselves in the Lord's view of our brothers and sisters, unborn and born? Do we take his view or the material, utilitarian view? Do we pour out our lives in compassionate, sacrificial love? Or not?
Do we love women and girls with unexpected pregnancies, or do we gossip about them and judge them?
Have we, in some ways, knowingly or unknowingly, encouraged a closedness to life or even openness to abortion in our families and among our peers?
Do we support parents who are open to life, or do we tut-tut and mock them?
Are we grateful to have lots of children in church or do we just glare at them when they disturb us?
Do we, as individuals, families and churches welcome the disabled or create obstacles or even ignore them?
Are we even aware of the poor in our midst or do we drive right by them on the way to church and avoid their neighborhoods on the way back?
Have we done all we could to assist those assisting women and girls in unexpected pregnancies in our area? In our parishes, our communities? Are we supporting them or do we ignore them or even dismiss them and their efforts?
If this is the point - using the Notre Dame controversy as a teaching moment to challenge all of us to be more passionate disciples of Jesus, welcoming his beloved - and therefore - our beloved brothers and sisters, his poor - into our lives, no longer seeing them as "other" but simply "us" - because we are one Body - that is good fruit, indeed.
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Maureen, dude, I don't consider Notre Dame to be any more of an authority within the Catholic Church than any other University. I think it's terrific for Catholics to organize and fund and attend Catholic schools.
Notre Dame is a Catholic School. It is not an arm of the Vatican and holds not a whit of "fate and moral compass" direction for me. And seriously, are you telling me that a 1950's movie is the end-all-be-all arbiter of such a moral compass? Puh-leeze.
What a silly notion to make equivalancies such as "Mr. Rogers" and Notre Dame, or the President of the United States and NAMBLA. You do yourself and your viewpoint a disservice with such nonsense.
People shouldn't get the wrong idea. Reparation for the sins of others is a perfectly Catholic idea. See: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12775a.htm
Given that, I'm not sure how I see what would be wrong with it being specifically about Notre Dame. It's clearly the opinion of many that this invitation was wrong. But even beyond that, if we agree that "How faithful are any of us?" then surely Notre Dame is just as in need of prayers of reparation as any individual or human organization.
I agree. I just don't think there's ever been a Mass at St. James' Cathedral in reparation for the sins against life, etc. that might have been ever committed by people and institutions associated with the Diocese of Orlando. That sort of examination should begin at home, not at an institution a thousand miles away.
Amy - thanks for saying so simply what I was feeling so complicatedly.
I dont know if Bishop Wenski is " a raging conservative" he was here in Miami for years, but he is rock solid and its a beautiful idea.