Bishops Back D’Arcy

In a fairly strong display of solidarity , the US Bishops have issued a statement supporting Bishop John D’Arcy’s recent “pastoral concern” regarding President Obama’s appearance at Notre Dame:

“The bishops of the United States express our appreciation and support for our brother bishop, the Most Reverend John D’Arcy,” reads the brief statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“We affirm his pastoral concern for Notre Dame University, his solicitude for its Catholic identity, and his loving care for all those the Lord has given him to sanctify, to teach and to shepherd.”

As John Allen reports, the Bishops were not exactly unanimous in their sentiments regarding the controversy, but it seems that most had some level of disagreement with the University.

Baby steps.  Baby steps.