Abp. Dolan: Opposition to 'Intrinsic Evil' behind Notre Dame Protest

An intrinsic evil means that something is always and everywhere wrong.

MANASSAS, Va. (Cardinal Newman Society) - The Most Reverend Timothy A. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, explained during a recent interview that his opposition to Notre Dame's slated honor for President Obama on May 17 is due to the President's support for the "intrinsic evil" of abortion. He also contrasted abortion to other serious concerns, like the Iraq war and the death penalty, which "are open to some discussion and are not intrinsically evil."

"Archbishop Dolan's clear teaching should help Americans understand that there is nothing political about the bishops' protest of Notre Dame's action," said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society. "This is not primarily about President Obama or partisan politics, but about a prominent Catholic institution publicly betraying fundamental Catholic values."

New York Post reporter Dan Mangan's interview with Archbishop Timothy Dolan from Wednesday, April 22, was posted online. The reporter asked Archbishop Dolan why he is publicly opposed to Notre Dame honoring President Obama at its commencement on May 17, but did not publicly oppose the same honor to President George W. Bush in 2001, given Bush's positions on the Iraq war and the death penalty.
"There's a big difference," Archbishop Dolan said. "There are some issues where the Church has weighed in, that one must be very sensitive to the morality of some issues, but they're not intrinsically evil. An intrinsic evil means that something is always and everywhere wrong."

The Church's teaching on the death penalty and war, explained Archbishop Dolan, allow for such activities in extreme cases. So while Archbishop Dolan said he was uncomfortable with President Bush's positions, he "would have to give him the benefit of the doubt to say that those two issues are open to some discussion and are not intrinsically evil. In the Catholic mindset... that would not apply to abortion."

William McGurn, Notre Dame alumnus and former chief speechwriter for President G. W. Bush, delivered a lecture sponsored by Notre Dame's Center for Ethics and Culture entitled "Notre Dame: A Witness for Life" yesterday, April 23. Like Archbishop Dolan, McGurn argued that abortion is not "one issue on a political scorecard."

McGurn proposed that Notre Dame hold a "summit of pro-life Democrats to come here to make the Notre Dame statement for life."

He continued, arguing that "all pleas for other important human rights are 'false and illusory' if we do not defend with 'maximum determination' the fundamental right to life upon which all other rights rest."

The Growing number of bishops opposing Notre Dame's decision to honor President Obama at commencement has grown to 46, with Bishops Le Voir, Galeone and Zubik joining the swelling ranks.

Bishop John Le Voir, of the New Ulm Diocese, said, "The decision of the University of Notre Dame makes it much more difficult for the Church to carry out her vital mission to transform our culture into a culture of life and love."

Bishop Victor Galeone, of the St. Augustine Diocese, said, "Coupled with the performance of... 'The Vagina Monologues'... this most recent decision raises serious doubts about Fr. Jenkins' qualifications for continuing to serve as president of one of the foremost Catholic universities in the nation."

Bishop David Zubik, of the Pittsburgh Diocese, said, "This is Our Lady's university choosing to give an honorary degree to the single most outspoken pro-abortion president since the issue was foisted upon the country by the Supreme Court. It must, indeed, embarrass Our Lady."
The bishops' statements, news items and other insider commentary are updated daily at NotreDameScandal.com. The petition at the website has grown to more than 334,000 signers.

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The Cardinal Newman Society is dedicated to renewing and strengthening Catholic identity at America's 224 Catholic colleges and universities.This article is used with permission.