CNS Distorts Bishop D'Arcy's statement.

Regarding the Catholic News Service story which mis-characterized South Bend Bishop D'Arcy's statement about planned protests of the scandal at Notre Dame as: Bishop urges against protesting speech. He said no such thing. And it's unfortunate Catholics who do not bother to read a little deeper into the story will be led to believe the Bishop is against all protests at the University. I expect sloppy reporting from the secular media, indeed the South Bend Tribune reported the same take on the Bishop D'Arcy's statement. But the Catholic media owes us more. Indeed, embedded in the story is the part of the Bishop's statement in question which actually contradicts the headline and the lead sentence of the story.

Bishop D'Arcy is nothing if not a refreshingly direct communicator. Just ask the University about his initial letter to them regarding the scandal. Indeed his entire statement was only 4 sentences long. If he wanted to say no to all demonstrations he would have said so. Instead he came out against "unseemly and unhelpful demonstrations". Indeed the South Bend/Fort Wayne Diocesan web site includes the full statement under the heading: "Concerning unseemly and unhelpful demonstrations at Notre Dame" Clearly the Bishop had certain kind of demonstrations in mind. He also noted the University "community is well equipped to supervise and support discussions and prayer within their own campus" which is why those of us who will pilgrimage to South Bend the weekend of May 16th and 17th will join ND Response, a coalition of pro-life student groups at the university who have single handedly and prayerfully taken on one of the largest Catholic Universities in the country over this scandal.

Here's the Bishop's statement, unedited: http://www.diocesefwsb.org/COMMUNICATIONS/statements.htm

Concerning unseemly and unhelpful demonstrations at Notre Dame
April 10. 2009
I urge all Catholics and others of good will to stay away from unseemly and unhelpful demonstrations against our nation's President or Notre Dame or Father John L. Jenkins, CSC

The Notre Dame community is well-equiped to supervise and support discussions and prayer within their own campus.

I had a positive meeting this week with Father Jenkins and I expect further dialogue will continue. These are days of prayer and hope when we should turn to the Risen Christ for light and wisdom.

Let us all work towards a peaceful graduation experience for the class of 2009 at our beloved Notre Dame.