Catholic Colleges Defy Bishops With Graduation Honors

From Catholic World News:

Washington, May. 06 (CWNews.com) - At least 13 American Catholic colleges and universities have defied the US bishops by inviting commencement speakers who defy Church teachings on key moral issues, the Cardinal Newman Society reports.

Last June the US bishops approved a policy barring Catholic institutions from conferring honors on public leaders who promote legal abortion, same-sex unions, fetal-tissue research, and other policies that involve grave violation of fundamental moral principles. The bishops proclaimed that public figures who support such policies "should not be given awards, honors, or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

Nevertheless, a number of Catholic colleges and universities have made commencement plans that include awards for politicians and other public figures who support "the culture of death," the Cardinal Newman Society reveals. "We are blowing the whistle on any Catholic college or university that blatantly disrespects the bishops by defying their clear command teaching," said Patrick Reilly, the president of the Virginia-based group.
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My Comments:
What will be the response to "Catholic" Colleges and Universities that thumb their noses at the authority of the local Bishop? Will the Bishops exercise the authority given them under Ex Corde Ecclesiae to withold the Mandatum? I won't hold my breath.