Bishop John M. D'Arcy is telling Catholics that President Obama could rightly be brought to the University of Notre Dame to discuss health care or immigration, but being given an honorary law degree at commencement defies the nation's bishops.

The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend communications office on Wednesday released D'Arcy's "Statement to the Faithful" to be published in Sunday's issue of "Today's Catholic."

He cites a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops decision in criticizing the Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, for publicizing letters that D'Arcy said should have been kept private.

In his statement, he quotes the bishops' "Catholics in Political Life" in saying: "Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

D'Arcy said before inviting Obama, it was a "serious mistake" for Jenkins not to consult him, the local bishop, "who, whatever his unworthiness, is the teacher and law-giver in the diocese."

He said that action caused a "painful division between Notre Dame and many bishops, and a large number of the faithful."

He asked that the division be addressed "through prayer and action," and pledged to work with Jenkins and "all at Notre Dame to heal the terrible breach" between the university and the church.

See for yourself

Bishop John M. D'Arcy's statement, in full, appears on The Scoop: http://www.journalgazette.net/scoop