Catholics/Scandal

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 3/26/2009


Question
Who has the authority to declare that Fr. John Jenkins', the president of the University of Notre Dame, has violated the Code of Canon Law against scandal by inviting President Obama to be this years commencement speaker at Notre Dame?

Answer
Hi, Ralph:
Thanks for the question.
The Code of Canon Law is the universal law of order of the worldwide Catholic Church of the Latin Rite.  It lays down objective principles and criteria for lawful procedure and the common good of the community of the Catholic Church.  The Local Ordinary of the Diocese in which the University of Notre Dame is located has the first duty to weigh the particular matter against the objective and univeral criteria set forth in the 1983 Code of Canon Law.  This he would surely do in consultation with his highest advisors.  If there is further question and appeal the matter goes to the Roman Curial Dicastery that has competence in the matter, known commonly as the Roman Rota.  Some sort of clarification at some level must be made, and then any just penalties and sanctions are made with a view to repairing and restoring the unity of the Catholic Community for the common good, and of course the repentance and conversion back to Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church by anyone guilty of some particular dilect.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.