Cardinal DiNardo says ND decision "requires charitable but vigorous critique"

This happened on Friday aftrenoon but I only had time to note it on AmP Twitter (see why you should follow me?).

Here is Cardinal DiNardo's full message in the Catholic Herald (underlining and bold mine):

In light of what I wrote above, I want to venture a comment on the recently released statement of the University of Notre Dame; that statement noted that the President has accepted an invitation to give the Commencement Address this year as well as receive an Honorary Law Degree. The news release then outlines the fact that a number of other Presidents have given the Commencement Address at Notre Dame and have thus highlighted, in effect, the university’s importance. I find the invitation very disappointing. Though I can understand the desire by a university to have the prestige of a commencement address by the President of the United States, the fundamental moral issue of the inestimable worth of the human person from conception to natural death is a principle that soaks all our lives as Catholics, and all our efforts at formation, especially education at Catholic places of higher learning. The President has made clear by word and deed that he will promote abortion and will remove even those limited sanctions that control this act of violence against the human person. The Bishops of the United States published a document a few years ago asking all Catholic universities to avoid giving a platform or an award to those politicians or public figures who promote the taking of unborn human life. Even given the dignity of Office of the President, this offer is still providing a platform and an award for a public figure who has been candid on his pro-abortion views. Particularly troubling is the Honorary Law Degree since it recognizes that the person is a “Teacher,” in this case of the Law. I think that this decision requires charitable but vigorous critique.

The petition, meanwhile, has surpassed 200,000 signers. Other developments of note:

• Rush Limbaugh spoke about the situation on his program on Friday. Here's the transcript.
• A CUA editorial bemoans: "We fear that thanks to a deaf administration which cannot see past its own narrow and constricting interpretation of a complex Catholic dogma, no similar day will dawn at this University. No hope lies on the horizon of a free exchange of ideas. And yet hope remains, just out of sight for every freethinking student here." [Oh please.]
• LifeNews: "ND President's Religious Superior Says Jenkins "Fulfilling Responsibilities" of President"

If you've already signed the petition, and want to do more, consider donating to Project Sycamore - "protecting the Catholic identity of Notre Dame". They have separate finances, and a proven track record of defending the Catholic identity of alma mater. See their "Notre Dame fund to protect human life."

Talk about a watershed moment.

update - you have to love Damian Thomspon: "This guy is awesome."

update 2 - AmP reader Jim clarifies about Project Sycamore/ND Fund to Protect Human Life:

"...it is my understanding that they are completely independent of each other. The former is an external alumni-led initiative. The latter is an on-campus initiative of the University's Center for Ethics & Culture.

Both are very worthy of donations! Especially the ND Fund to Protect Human Life which is working at the grassroots level on campus to change hearts and minds. "