Telthorst.net

Bishop Jenky,

You have spoken out against abortion in the past and articulated the importance of furthering the Gospel of Life.  In fact, on the diocese of Peoria website you speak of the increased importance of  witnessing to the Gospel of Life as a result of the election of a pro-choice president:

This year’s march took place two days after the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Bishop Jenky said the election of a pro-choice president made the witness to the Gospel of Life in Washington, D.C., especially necessary this year.¹

Despite asking the members of your diocese to take a stand for the Gospel of Life, you have failed the Diocese of Peoria and The University of Notre Dame.  As a Trustee of The University of Notre Dame, and Bishop of the Diocese of Peria, you have a responsibility to stand up for what is right.  You have failed by choosing not to join the courageous Bishops who have publicly spoken out against President Barack Obama’s visit to Notre Dame.² Passive consent to the conferment of an honorary degree upon a radical supporter of abortion, President Barack Obama, is not acceptable.

We pray for you at every Mass, and I hope you will rise to the calling of your office and publicly condemn President Obama’s invitation to the University of Notre Dame.

Respectfully,

John Telthorst

1. http://www.cdop.org/post/PostArchiveArticle.aspx?PublicationID=37&ArticleID=642 [↩]
2. http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/04/round-up-bishops-who-have-responded-to.html [↩]

Criticisms of Governor Palin include a lack of experience as well as questioning whether she can care for her family if she is elected Vice President.  Why isn’t Barack Obama asked the same questions?  Is it because Governor Palin is female?  Are people expecting her to conform to traditional gender roles?  Barack Obama has two young girls, yet no one is asking if he will have time to care for them.  People criticize Governor Palin for her lack of experience, and yet she’s been governor of Alaska since December of 2006, she’s been in an executive position for nearly two years.  Barack Obama has been a United States Senator for around 3 years.

These two candidates experience and familial obligations are very comprable, and yet Barrack Obama is not questioned where Sarah Palin is.  This is clear evidence of reticent sexism that exists in the mainstream media; and the double standard that still exists.