Two Statements on What it Means to be a Catholic University

Just to recap, in the past couple of days, we've seen 2 of the most eloquent and thoughful statements regarding the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to deliver the university's 2009 commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

First is Bishop D'Arcy's "Statement to the Faithful", which seeks to publicly correct the errors and mistatements Notre Dame President John Jenkins has made in justifying the invitation.

Second is Bill McGurn's speech to the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture and The Notre Dame Fund to Protect Human Life.

Each, in their own way, seeks to lay out the duties and responsibilities of the nation's premiere Catholic university in living out its Catholic identity in a world that has become increasingly secularized and hostile to a culture of life. If you haven't read both already, I strongly encourage you to do so.