Saturday, May 16, 2009

Commencement Eve



Later today, at the University of Notre Dame's Commencement, President Obama will speak to the graduates and to the University community, and to the nation, and in many ways to the entire planet.

Many Catholics have mixed feelings about this speech. Many Catholics have very strong feelings about this speech. Many Catholics feel honored that the first black President of the United States is speaking at the premier Catholic University in the Western Hemisphere 85 years to the day when members of the KKK marched on Our Lady's campus and were repelled by the fists of the "Fighting Irish" who would not tolerate their prejudice and hatred and exclusionary attitudes.

Whether you agree or disagree with this appearance, let us all pray for peace to reign at Our Lady's University. May it continue to be a place of intellectual inquiry, a place of great faith, and a place where, as St. Anselm described "theology": it can contiue to be a a place where faith continues to seek understanding.

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