*This post has nothing to do with my own views or the views of this site. It is written from the view of a Catholic for the sake of discussion.*
August 23, 2009
Fr Weslin/Fr Jenkins/Notre Dame posts
Yes, there is going to be a court date. Fr Jenkins and Notre Dame have not dropped the charges despite being a Catholic University.
What is he after?
Are the local police expecting to recoup some of the $35K it cost to cover barry and the protesters?
Manhandling of fellow Catholic priest courtesy of Fr Jenkins, University of Notre Dame
Imagine if they had walled off a certain part of the University for Fr Weslin and his fellow Catholics to non-violently protest. At most it would have been the campus police and maybe a few off-duty officers. Most importantly they would have been away from barrymedia.
Fr Jenkins, in his fawning address, looked at barry when he said that one of the reasons he invited barry was because he was open to dialogue.
However, the rules don’t seem to apply to his fellow Catholics. Fr Jenkins was unwilling to even sit down with his fellow Man of God to have a “dialogue”. As in Notre Dame “[doesn't] have any interest in exploring ways to resolve these matters.”
A reminder of the good Father’s words: [selected quotes - emphasis added]
When we face differences with fellow citizens, we will be tested: do we keep trying, with love and a generous spirit, to appeal to ethical principles that might be persuasive to others – or do we condemn those who differ with us for not seeing the truth that we see?
It is out of this duty to serve the common good that we seek to foster dialogue with all people of good will, regardless of faith, background or perspective.
We will listen to all views, and always bear witness for what we believe.
I do believe that was precisely what Fr Weslin was doing – bearing witness for the most sacred tenet of the Catholic Church – and he was arrested on the grounds of a Catholic University.
And his Brother in Christ?
Handcuffing and arrest made necessary by barry the non-Catholic
Father Jenkins Commencement Address continued:
Insofar as we play this role, we can be what Pope John Paul II said a Catholic university is meant to be – “a primary and privileged place for a fruitful dialogue between the Gospel and culture” [Ex corde ecclesiae, 3.34].
Of course, dialogue is never instantaneous; it doesn’t begin and end in an afternoon. It is an ongoing process made possible by many acts of courtesy and gestures of respect, by listening carefully and speaking honestly.
Paradoxically, support for these actions often falls as the need for them rises – so they are most controversial precisely when they can be most helpful.
Like right now as Fr Weslin and his fellow Catholics face criminal charges and/or fines.
Others might have avoided this venue for that reason. But President Obama is not someone who stops talking to those who differ with him.
Mr. President: This is a principle we share.
As the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council wrote in their pastoral constitution Gaudium et Spes: “Respect and love ought to be extended also to those who think or act differently than we do in social, political and even religious matters. In fact, the more deeply we come to understand their ways of thinking through such courtesy and love, the more easily will we be able to enter into dialogue with them.”
If we want to extend courtesy, respect and love – and enter into dialogue – then surely we can start by acknowledging what is honorable in others.
Humiliation condoned by Fr Jenkins, President, University of Notre Dame
Is this what Fr Jenkins meant?
Is there anything more honorable than a Catholic priest being true to his vows, despite knowing the consequences?
What do Fr Jenkins words say to you?
Is he doing unto his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as he would have done unto him?
Was Fr Jenkins acting honorably when he knew that Fr Weslin was coming and let him be handcuffed, manhandled, laid out on the ground — unable to even turn over, his head unsupported — and completely humiliated, as camera crews and gawkers took Father’s picture like he was a zoo animal?
Father Jenkins smiles...while Fr Weslin and his fellow Catholics are in jail
And where was his courtesy, love and respect for his fellow ordained Man of God?
Where was a simple wheelchair or golf cart – both readily available on the campus?
What does it say about Fr Jenkins as a person that these words only matter in regards to a decided non-Catholic, who no longer has any Church?
As a Man of God, who allegedly took the same vows as Fr Weslin?
As the head of the premier Catholic University?
And if Fr Weslin were to go to Fr Jenkins for Confession – would he be absolved of his alleged sins?
Then why a court of law?
==================
Reliable email from Linda at lambsofchrist@all-catholic.net (Fr Weslin’s site)
Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Hi Mattie,
Fr. Weslin is still awaiting trial, which is scheduled at this time for October 1.
That is a tentative date right now.
The judicial system never seems to nail down a date exactly until closer to the actual trial.
No, Fr. Jenkins did not drop charges – he seems to be standing firm.
I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything.
God bless
