The Cathoholic

Kagan Confirmation: Pro-life Concerns

Today, the Senate begins the confirmation hearings for President Obama's second nominee to the Supreme Court: Elena Kagan, the Solicitor General and former Dean of Harvard Law School. Last week, Judge Robert Bork, Bill Saunders  of Americans United for Life, and Gerard Bradley, a constitutional law professor from Notre Dame outlined their concerns regarding Kagan's lack of judicial experience, politicized approach to interpreting the law, and admiration for prominent jurors who, in their view, embrace judicial activism. I reviewed their concerns in an article for the National Catholic Register. Kagan, of course, is expected to win. But her critics want  to educate the American public about the relevant issues.  Pro-life advocates and groups that oppose jurors "legislating from the bench," hope to use votes for Kagan as a campaign issue in the fall--politically vulnerable Senators, they argue,will wish they had thought twice before confirming her.

Bishop Kevin Rhoades Headed for Notre Dame

Earlier this month, I interviewed Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Harrisburg, PA, who will soon be installed as the Catholic ordinary of Fort-Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, home of Notre Dame University. The bishop is clearly prepared to set a high standard for Catholic institutions of higher learning.

During our interview, published in the National Catholic Register, he affirmed his commitment to the full implementation of  Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Pope John Paul II's groundbreaking document that set forth the proper mission and religious identity for Catholic colleges and universities. Bishop Rhoades told me:

"According to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the bishop has the responsibility “to promote and assist in the preservation and strengthening of their Catholic identity.” I believe this is a serious responsibility. As Pope John Paul II stated: Bishops “should be seen not as external agents but as participants in the life of the Catholic university.” I am really looking forward to participating in the life of the University of Notre Dame and in the lives of the other Catholic colleges of my new diocese."

I asked him about the substance of a closed-door meeting on Catholic universities, conducted during the U.S.bishops' semi-annual meeting in Baltimore this November. He responded,

"I do not think it would be appropriate for me to discuss the private conversation during the executive session of the fall meeting of the USCCB. I will say, however, that the bishops are committed to the full implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, an important document which provides excellent guidance for the Church and Catholic universities and colleges for the future. It must not be a document consigned to a bookshelf, but one which inspires and challenges us to strengthen the Catholic identity and mission of our Catholic universities and colleges. Nearly 20 years since its promulgation, Ex Corde Ecclesiae continues to have great relevance."