But as to the "more Catholic than the pope" issue, which Dionne raises -- what is the correct response to the comparison of (1) ND and President Obama to (2) the pope naming M. Sarkozy a canon of the pope's own church, when Sarkozy is not only pro-choice but has a couple of marriages under his belt?
Is the answer that the problem isn't honorinig pro-choice Obama per se, it's the Notre Dame president disobeying the bishops?
R.
markMay 7, 2009 1:53 PMOn Sarkozy. It's a tradition for the French head of state to be installed as a canon
he Kings of France who followed Henry IV were accorded the same honorary office of canon, as have some of the French presidents, including Sarkozy. It is not because of the personal prestige of any of those men, rather it is clear that the Holy See has seen the importance of emphasizing the tie between the Lateran basilica, the Pope's own Church, and the people of France. France has long been called the "Eldest Daughter of the Church," because in 496 she became one of the first countries of Europe to embrace the Faith. The "Eldest Daughter of the Church" is not a title the French people invented about themselves for some form of self-glorification, rather it has been repeatedly bestowed upon them by the popes, to signify a unique vocation. The tradition of making the French head of state an honorary canon of St. John Lateran may seem to some to be an empty gesture in these times of declining faith. It is more than just a gesture, however, for it symbolizes an ancient pact and a tie which, in spite of revolution and apostasy, has never been entirely severed.
Is there a difference? Or not?
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bill bannon: There should be a small team from the Vatican composed of a theologian, an embryologist, and a geneticist with a publicist who gets them TV debates with prominent figures like Obama and let them have at it in public. Written documents only....are no answer.
Excellent idea, really. It would be much more productive than sound bites, media misrepresentation, and half-baked controversies (like the current one) in which the issues are muddled and both sides talk past each other. I nominate you for Cardinal! ;)
Oi veh...Cardinal...I'd rather go to sea eventually (sail-no fuel needed) and pray for the Church from there if my wife can get her sea legs but for now, she gets seasick when she notices the pendulum on the Queen Anne clock. Did you notice that Mahony seems to base his order of St. Gregory awards purely on moolah given regardless of who the moolah was earned. Let us be thankful that the lead singer of ACDC did not donate to the cathedral.
While these cases are in some ways different, I think the Sarkozy thing makes the point that the Vatican basically takes a diplomatic approach to most everything. Think of the Concordats with both Napoleon and Hitler. Diplomacy involves compromise. Therefore, I think it is relevant to the Obama/ND situation.
To Maureen,
Has Sarkozy "bowed to the authority of the church" on any issue, personal or political, since he received this "duty" of being a canon? Whatever are you talking about?
Americans, not Europeans, are griping about Notre Dame honoring President Obama. In the "Old World" one expects leaders to be pragmatic, not always consistent. They don't care about whether of not the Pope appoints pro-choise Sarkozy a Canon of St John Lateran.
I don't recall any demonstratons against Notre Dame honoring George H. W. Bush, who supports abortion in certain circumstances, and Georga W. Bush, a staunch advocate of the death penalty. Consistent support of a pro-life ethic was not required of Republican Presidents.
The introductory remarks of Notre Dame's president were apt, showing the context of the invitation/honor in terms of the relation of Faith and Reason and the Church's role in the world re Gaudium et Spes.
Doesn't it matter at all that Barack Obama is not a Catholic and should not be held to Catholic doctrine, whether the Church's teaching on abortion, divorce, etc. Mr. Sarkozy IS a Catholic, or purports to be, and he is divorced and pro-choice. If Cardinal O'Connor, late Archbishop (before Egan) of the New York Archdiocese refused to let pro-choice politicians attend the Al Smith Dinner (at least one year), wouldn't the Pope have a problem giving an award to a man with Sarkozy's disregard for Catholic teaching. The whole controversey smacks of hypocrisy, but then I really expect nothing els from a faith as conflicted in its views as Catholicism.
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