Sic Transit Gloria: Good Bye Notre Dame
that the Church’s contrary teaching was unscientific and out of touch with modernity, and that those who believed it to be immoral had no right to impose those anachronistic beliefs on others. That proclamation was accepted and taught as authentic Catholic teaching by many Catholics, including many bishops, priests and religious, and contributed greatly to the hostility of many to the papal encyclical, Humanae Vitae, which was issued 4 years later.
Notre Dame was rewarded for this traitorous activity against the Church with millions of dollars from the Rockefeller Foundation and other foundations whose primary mission for at least three generations has been to finance the worldwide spread of the eugenics agenda throughout the world – the agenda now called “the culture of death.”
Three years later, in 1967, the University severed all juridical relations with the Catholic Church, declaring itself to be independent from all Church authority. This was the infamous “Land O’Lakes Statement” which became the new charter of the University, a charter which replaced and essentially buried the faith-based principles of the University’s founder. The Land O’Lakes Statement is firmly grounded in religious relativism- the view that religious belief is not based on an absolute objective Truth but on one’s personal opinion, and that all such opinions are equally valid provided they are sincerely held.
Land O’Lakes proudly declares that the University will no longer promote “theological imperialism,” which is a euphemism for the doctrine that the Catholic Church is the one, true church founded by Christ. Paradoxically, while rejecting all Church authority, that statement arrogantly asserts that the University has the authority and the right to pass judgment on the teachings of the Church and to decide what is, and what is not, proper Catholic teaching. The Congregation of the Holy Cross meekly ratified this rebellion by transferring all interest and control of the University, which formerly belonged to the Holy Cross Province, to a Board of predominately lay trustees Since then, the University has been just another charitable educational corporation organized under the laws of Indiana and run by a Board of Trustees who, like their secular counterparts, are selected, not for their fidelity to the Church, but solely for the degree to which they can bring money, power and prestige to the University. . Whereas formerly the promulgation and proclamation of the Catholic faith have been the primary reason for the University’s existence, it has now become the quest for power, prestige and money, a goal with which the May, 2009 abomination is wholly consistent.
Until now I was joined with scores of other truly Catholic alumni who, fully aware of Notre Dame’s rejection of Church authority, nevertheless pursue efforts to restore her to her Catholic identity. But I am now withdrawing from that battle. The images of an adoring and giddy university president heaping praise on a man whose avowed intention is to promote and spread the culture of death throughout the world, without a single trustee publicly objecting, has destroyed all hope that Notre Dame can ever recover its Catholic moorings. The rebellion is complete; the revolution is over. The contract by which the soul of the University was sold for earthly prestige and power has been fully performed. The golden Dome has been transformed into a golden calf.
Notre Dame has become a foreign place, a place where I no longer belong. The “Spirit of Notre Dame” is hollow. The Alma Mater is now a contradiction. Some alumni have told me that they intend to return their diplomas to Fr. Jenkins in protest. I will not do so. I am proud to have graduated from an academically rigorous university which was then authentically Catholic. I will retain my diploma as a memorial of the glory that once was the University of Notre Dame.
Good bye, Notre Dame. Thanks for the memory.
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Michael V. McIntire is a 1957 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and was later Associate Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. An Oblate of the Order of St. Benedict and an RCIA Catechist, he has authored several articles on the secularization of Catholic colleges and universities. (From Orthodoxy to Heresy – The Secularization of Catholic Universities, New Oxford Review, Sept. 2008; Has Notre Dame Lost its Catholic Credentials?, St. Austin Review, Sept/October 2007).
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JEER JEER for OLD NOTRE DAME!!! As the father of 5 sons I'd say to my holy wife, I'd rather send our boys to Liberty U. than waste our $$$ on Catholic heresy - Villanova & Canisius colleges have for many years honored anti-Catholic doctrine speakers.
Fr.Malachy Martin, famed exorcist and advisor to popes, told about the spirit of satan within the Vatican so it should be of no surprise that it infests Catholic colleges. About the only redeeming factor of ND's travesty is it focused the public on the evils of abortion!
Great article. The 1960s history was particularly compelling. Many thanks for writing this and speaking out on an extremely important and troubling issue. Prayers being said for the unborn and for the restoration of Catholicism in the United States.
I was upset w/Notre Dame back in the 1980's when they allowed Christie Hefner newly elected President/CEO of "Playboy Enterprises" to speak @ commencement (I believe it was a commencement). The event was to show that women can succeed in business (gasp!). I felt ND was very wrong in promoting Ms Hefner as a good model of a woman business person. It saddened me and I felt ND should have been chastised by Church at large. From that day on, I lost respect for ND & perhaps a little for the Church at large.
For those who wonder why Jenkins and the University of Notre Dame and administration as a whole has not been chastized by Bishop D'Arcy, or Rome, here are the paragraphs from the article by Michael McIntyre that explain why.
Three years later, in 1967, the University severed all juridical relations with the Catholic Church, declaring itself to be independent from all Church authority. This was the infamous “Land O’Lakes Statement” which became the new charter of the University, a charter which replaced and essentially buried the faith-based principles of the University’s founder. The Land O’Lakes Statement is firmly grounded in religious relativism- the view that religious belief is not based on an absolute objective Truth but on one’s personal opinion, and that all such opinions are equally valid provided they are sincerely held.
Land O’Lakes proudly declares that the University will no longer promote “theological imperialism,” which is a euphemism for the doctrine that the Catholic Church is the one, true church founded by Christ. Paradoxically, while rejecting all Church authority, that statement arrogantly asserts that the University has the authority and the right to pass judgment on the teachings of the Church and to decide what is, and what is not, proper Catholic teaching. The Congregation of the Holy Cross meekly ratified this rebellion by transferring all interest and control of the University, which formerly belonged to the Holy Cross Province, to a Board of predominately lay trustees Since then, the University has been just another charitable educational corporation organized under the laws of Indiana and run by a Board of Trustees who, like their secular counterparts, are selected, not for their fidelity to the Church, but solely for the degree to which they can bring money, power and prestige to the University. . Whereas formerly the promulgation and proclamation of the Catholic faith have been the primary reason for the University’s existence, it has now become the quest for power, prestige and money, a goal with which the May, 2009 abomination is wholly consistent.
Until now I was joined with scores of other truly Catholic alumni who, fully aware of Notre Dame’s rejection of Church authority, nevertheless pursue efforts to restore her to her Catholic identity. But I am now withdrawing from that battle. The images of an adoring and giddy university president heaping praise on a man whose avowed intention is to promote and spread the culture of death throughout the world, without a single trustee publicly objecting, has destroyed all hope that Notre Dame can ever recover its Catholic moorings. The rebellion is complete; the revolution is over. The contract by which the soul of the University was sold for earthly prestige and power has been fully performed. The golden Dome has been transformed into a golden calf.
Notre Dame has become a foreign place, a place where I no longer belong. The “Spirit of Notre Dame” is hollow. The Alma Mater is now a contradiction. Some alumni have told me that they intend to return their diplomas to Fr. Jenkins in protest. I will not do so. I am proud to have graduated from an academically rigorous university which was then authentically Catholic. I will retain my diploma as a memorial of the glory that once was the University of Notre Dame.
Good bye, Notre Dame. Thanks for the memory.
-----
Michael V. McIntire is a 1957 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and was later Associate Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School. An Oblate of the Order of St. Benedict and an RCIA Catechist, he has authored several articles on the secularization of Catholic colleges and universities. (From Orthodoxy to Heresy – The Secularization of Catholic Universities, New Oxford Review, Sept. 2008; Has Notre Dame Lost its Catholic Credentials?, St. Austin Review, Sept/October 2007).
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Comments
I dont understand why the Vatican doesn't censure this priest at N.D.
Tom Barwicki | 6/14/2009
God forgive me. I foolishly voted for the current president. I'm a new Catholic and was raised pro-"choice" but I understand now. Abortion IS murder. I was misled, as are most who believe in the right to play God with an unborn child. They get us young and force-feed that evil doctrine until it sounds like gospel. What's become of my generation? Gen-X.....more like Gen-XXX. Lord have Mercy.
FC | 6/14/2009
As a Notre Dame graduate myself, a 40-year fan of the Fighting Irish and father of two current Notre Dame students, this article saddens me. It saddens me because it is true, every bit of it. May 17 changed my view of my alma mater in a fundamental fashion, and I doubt that I will ever feel the same way about the place again.
Apparently the Pope, or the Bishop of the Diocese can say anything they want about the theological core of NDU, but NDU is a law unto itself. It "says" it doesn't have to listen.
I didn't realize this divisivness began as early as the 60s.
I dont understand why the Vatican doesn't censure this priest at N.D.
God forgive me. I foolishly voted for the current president. I'm a new Catholic and was raised pro-"choice" but I understand now. Abortion IS murder. I was misled, as are most who believe in the right to play God with an unborn child. They get us young and force-feed that evil doctrine until it sounds like gospel. What's become of my generation? Gen-X.....more like Gen-XXX. Lord have Mercy.
As a Notre Dame graduate myself, a 40-year fan of the Fighting Irish and father of two current Notre Dame students, this article saddens me. It saddens me because it is true, every bit of it. May 17 changed my view of my alma mater in a fundamental fashion, and I doubt that I will ever feel the same way about the place again.
Peace, you think this article needs to be "toned down"? Do you think it was "sarcastic, cruel or rude"? You MUST be joking! You are right though on one point; the world was watching, and Dr. Keyes and the other faithful, if nothing else, exposed to the world [and a lot of Catholics who didn't know]just what Mr. McIntire is writing here: Notre Dame is DEAD!
Laurence, thank you. I fully agree with your comments of 6/4/09 and 6/05/09. You are so right in stating that Obama is open to changing you and me to conform to himself, but he is NOT open to change, it seems, not even for GOD, because he apposes GOD on the most important issues. May GOD have mercy on us, help and guide us in Jesus name. Amen.
I too am disgusted w/the powers that be @ Notre Dame. I wrote to Fr. Jennings to complain & remind him that he is in essence slapping our Blessed Mother by having the president speak @ Notre Dame. The president doesn't care about protecting unborn children.
All N.D. alumni should discontinue sending any further donations to what should now be called Notre Shame! Shame on anyone sending any donations to Notre Dame!