On Friday’s Special Report with Bret Baier, FNC correspondent Molly Henneberg highlighted the controversial decision by Notre Dame to invite the pro-choice President Obama to speak and be awarded an honorary degree. Henneberg filled in viewers on recent remarks by Archbishop Raymond Burke of the Vatican Supreme Court as the Catholic Church official voiced disapproval of Obama’s planned appearance. Henneberg: "He does not think Notre Dame, a Catholic university, should have invited President Obama to give the commencement address on May 17. And he does not think the university should present the pro-choice President with an honorary degree."
The FNC correspondent also reminded viewers that Archbishop Burke had previously been critical of Senator John Kerry when the Massachusetts Democrat ran for President in 2004. Henneberg: "President Obama is a Protestant, but the Archbishop also has spoken out previously against pro-choice Catholic politicians such as Massachusetts Democratic Senator John Kerry, saying he does not think they should be allowed to take communion."
After noting that most American Catholics give President Obama a positive job approval rating, Henneberg concluded by recounting that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also received criticism from Archbishop Burke. Henneberg: "Today, Archbishop Burke also mentioned by name, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who's pro-choice and Catholic. The Archbishop says having her in the Health and Human Services position is ‘the source of deepest embarrassment for Catholics.’"
Below is a complete transcript of the report from the Friday, May 8, Special Report with Bret Baier on FNC:
BRET BAIER: President Obama is running into significant resistance to next weekend's commencement appearance at one of the nation’s most prominent Catholic schools. Correspondent Molly Henneberg reports one critic in particular is not holding anything back. Good evening, Molly.
MOLLY HENNEBERG: Hi, Bret. Archbishop Raymond Burke, a powerful Vatican official, the head of the Vatican Supreme Court, has said it before and he said it again today at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast here in Washington. He does not think Notre Dame, a Catholic university, should have invited President Obama to give the commencement address on May 17. And he does not think the university should present the pro-choice President with an honorary degree.
ARCHBISHOP RAYMOND BURKE, VATICAN SUPREME COURT: The proposed granting of an honorary doctorate at Notre Dame University to our President who is so aggressively advancing an anti-life and anti-family agenda is rightly the source of the greatest scandal.
HENNEBERG: President Obama is a Protestant, but the Archbishop also has spoken out previously against pro-choice Catholic politicians such as Massachusetts Democratic Senator John Kerry, saying he does not think they should be allowed to take communion. Despite the Notre Dame controversy, President Obama does well among Catholics. And a Quinnipiac national poll out at the end of last month, 57 percent of Catholics approve of the way President Obama is doing his job. Thirty-three percent disapprove. The White House says the President was honored to be invited to Notre Dame's commencement and he's going.
ROBERT GIBBS, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Notre Dame has a good history of robust civic debate, and the President looks forward to speaking to the graduating class and hopefully giving them a message that they'll think about as they move forward.
HENNEBERG: Today, Archbishop Burke also mentioned by name, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who's pro-choice and Catholic. The Archbishop says having her in the Health and Human Services position is "the source of deepest embarrassment for Catholics." A spokeswoman for Secretary Sebelius had no comment.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.



















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Thank God for Archbishop
May 10, 2009 - 21:02 ET by bigtimerThank God for Archbishop Burke and Fox...
I saw this report, glad it is here today, it makes me more than sick what is going to happen next Sunday at Notre Dame.
The msm will be all over this with glee.
Things are upside down...and I don't know at times what it is going to take to turn them right side up.
One thing is for sure...a lot of prayer, no matter what.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
FNC had some idiot on
May 10, 2009 - 21:08 ET by Radical1979FNC had some idiot on during their morning show last week insisting this didn't bother Catholics. Well, he's not a Catholic so I don't think he can deliver that message. I'd also like to know if there was a petition FOR Obama's speech because over 300,000 people signed a petition protesting Obama's appearance.
Go Villanova! We may not have won the NCAA but they uphold Catholic morals.
It all depends on what is
May 11, 2009 - 10:32 ET by lotrIt all depends on what is meant by "Catholics."
If he is merely referring to "cultural Catholics," aka CINOs (you know the type: "my family comes from a proud line of Irish (or Italian) Catholic immigrants" -- as if being Catholic was something genetically inherited, or is merely something "from my proud culture"), well, then he's probably right.
If, on the other hand, he is referring to those Catholics who are "born again" (i.e., those who have had a true conversion of heart, and who have carefully pondered and willingly accepted the doctrines of Christianity; aka "devout Catholics"), then he couldn't be more mistaken.
The (rhetorical) question is, who are the real Catholics? Those who profess to believe what they in fact do not believe, or those profess to believe what they in fact do believe.
This highlights one of those areas where I have great respect for Evangelical Christians: It is much harder to "go through the motions" and be "luke warm" as a communicant in their churches. When someone says "I am an Evangelical Christian," one usually doesn't need to append qualifiers such as "devout," "faithful" or "orthodox."
"Let's wrap him up, alright?" -- Keith Olbermann
IF the other networks
May 10, 2009 - 22:12 ET by motherbeltIF the other networks mention Archbishop Burke, it will probably be along the lines of "is he out of touch with most Catholics?"
They'll probably call him a "conservative" or "far right" cleric.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
mb... Well...they sure won't
May 10, 2009 - 22:18 ET by bigtimermb...
Well...they sure won't use the term 'centrist'.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Out of touch
May 11, 2009 - 03:34 ET by KC MulvilleThat's the funny thing about being Catholic. It doesn't matter how many Americans feel differently than the bishops about an issue. If you disagree with a bishop, you're out of touch. By definition.
Defining what the true faith is, well, that's we have bishops in the first place.
Well, you know these libs,
May 11, 2009 - 06:06 ET by motherbeltWell, you know these libs, KC, they think the Church should redefine moral teaching according to what's popular and how people "feel."
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Regarding Gibbs comment,
May 10, 2009 - 21:05 ET by Radical1979Regarding Gibbs comment, the problem is this forum is not a debate.
As a Catholic I will not go down and protest across the street because I don't think it's fair to the graduates, but I will make my feelings know withing the church and hope we can make some administrative changes among the clergy serving at our Catholic universities so they reflect our religion.
Many of the Catholic politicians, especially the Kennedy's, have sold their souls for votes.
If this president SOBama
May 10, 2009 - 21:25 ET by Delsahad any class, and he doesn't, he'd respectfully decline to attend.
He could say he wanted to spare Notre Dame any further embarrassment.
But NO! This sanctimonious prigg believes HE is THE ONE and deserves to be there no matter what harm is done.
I just think it is a
May 10, 2009 - 21:30 ET by bigtimerI just think it is a disgrace having O there in the first place...my God the man is for and has voted for infanticide...he is the worst of the left regarding this issue.
Gives me shivers.
Anybody seen pictures of these babes after they are dead, let alone partial birth abortion.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt, On the flip side My sister had a stillborn, shine some light
May 10, 2009 - 21:46 ET by upcountrywaterMoms for Sarah Palin
great idea, Thank you GOVERNOR Sarah.
scroll down for a great video
Reagan VS 0bama
You're absolutely right, he
May 10, 2009 - 22:07 ET by motherbeltYou're absolutely right, he could do it to save face for Notre Dame. But he won't, because in the end, it's all about him.
Michelle Malkin described him perfectly in three words:
Thoughtless. Classless. Clueless.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
The people or person
May 10, 2009 - 21:39 ET by Delsawho invited him should be fired.
And whoever thought it a good idea to give him an honor should be tossed out right along with them or him.
I wouldn't send the school another dime.
You have to wonder what
May 10, 2009 - 22:04 ET by motherbeltYou have to wonder what they were thinking.
After the Georgetown incident, some bloggers are wondering if he will require them to cover up Touchdown Jesus.
Unfortunately, it seems that Notre Dame, along with other Catholic colleges are having less and less in common with Catholicism other than their name. Notre Dame also hosted "The Vagina Monologues."(another head-smacking, what were they thinking? moment)
I especially love how liberals think that Catholics who oppose the President's appearance at Notre Dame should be ignored, (why should they have any say about Notre Dame?) but think those who want an end to priestly celibacy should be allowed to bully the Pope!
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Ive said it on here before,
May 11, 2009 - 02:06 ET by MrSnugglesIve said it on here before, but my younger brother went to a Catholic University (still is, actually) and he has become more lost then he ever has before. Not only has he embraced leftist ideology, but he has lost his grasp on his christian faith. Its shameful and it makes me sick.
Mr. S, check this
May 11, 2009 - 06:19 ET by motherbeltMr. S, check this out....
Georgetown Honors Biden
I didn't know that until now.
The money quote is that both of these honors are in direct violation of the U.S. bishops’ 2004 policy against such honors to pro-abortion politicians.
What the heck???????
The bishops need to do a better job of speaking (and standing) up for Catholic principles.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Do not get sidetracked.
May 11, 2009 - 06:40 ET by danebramageDo not get sidetracked. This is not an issue with Obama. The problem and the fault lies completely with the leadership of Notre Dame University. If they invited and/or allowed the devil himself to speak there, that would not be the devil's fault.
Excuse me, danebramage.....
May 11, 2009 - 07:45 ET by motherbeltWho said this was an "Obama" issue, other than suggesting that he could end the dispute by graciously declining to attend?
The entire article, as well as 95% of the comments are about Notre Dame's decision to invite him.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Alan Keyes Arrested at Notre Dame
May 11, 2009 - 15:29 ET by lotrDid anybody hear about this?!
Alan Keyes Arrested at Notre Dame: Protests Obama Invitation
"Let's wrap him up, alright?" -- Keith Olbermann
lotr... No I didn't hear
May 11, 2009 - 15:36 ET by bigtimerlotr...
No I didn't hear about this...the msm have always ignored or belittled Keyes.
I THANK him and you for putting this link here.
I love Keyes...always have, as I have posted before, nothing like silencing those who speak the truth.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart