More and More Signatures

1. 165,000 signatures on the King Herod University, er, I mean Notre Dame, petition as of midday today. Are you one of them?

2. Meanwhile, Bishop Olmstead of Phoenix pulls no punches. Msgr. Owen Campion adds some important facts to consider about the relationship between "Catholic" universities, which are run by lay boards, and the bishops, who thus have little authority over them beyond exhortation. Canonist Ed Peters adds some additional info on the limited authority of the bishops under Canon Law.

3. Here are the talking points that the ND spinmeister sent out to alumni leaders. The whole argument is nonsense on stilts ("we're giving him an honorary degree, but we're not really honoring him, don't you see"). But here's the line that grabbed me (they were speaking of the President's positions on such issues as poverty, health care, education): "These are causes dear to the heart of Notre Dame". Tragically, I didn't attend the premier Catholic university in the whole wide world, but even I know that "Notre Dame" is the title of a person, Mary the Mother of God, not just the name of a school. So, perhaps the school's flack should be a little more careful about how he speaks about the Queen of Heaven, since the cause of human life is also dear to her heart. They should also reflect about how they are insulting her name by associating her with this incident.

4. Very candid interview with Archbishop Naumann of Kansas City on pro-abortion Catholic public officials, like a certain Governor of Kansas.

5. On the same issue, you may have heard that the tiresome Randall Terry is promoting an interview that he did with Archbishop Burke. The Archbishop has publicly disassociated himself with the interview, and lays out some disturbing facts about Mr. Terry's less than candid conduct in relation to this incident. Beware.

6. A challenging open letter to "pro-life" supporters of the President, from some very distinguished Catholic scholars.

7. Ten members of the President's Council on Bioethics protest his decision on stem cell research funding, and correct yet again the blatantly false statement by the President that there was a ban on federal funding for research. One wonders if he even consulted with the Council while he was wrestling with -- and defeating -- his conscience.

8. The National Catholic Bioethics Center adds some good facts and analysis on condoms and HIV/AIDS.

9. Get ready folks -- it's apparently time for the "Abortion Pride Movement". Satan laughs, Jesus weeps.