Notre Dame faculty demand bishop's apology

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NOTRE DAME, Ind., April 25 (UPI) -- Faculty members at the University of Notre Dame have demanded an apology from the Peoria, Ill., Catholic bishop for comparing President Obama to Adolf Hitler.

Bishop Daniel Jenky, a member of the university's board of fellows, gave a homily April 15 criticizing Obama's policies -- particularly those on healthcare -- and urging Catholics to vote against Obama in the November presidential election.

"Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services, and healthcare," Jenky said.

"In clear violation of our First Amendment rights, Barack Obama -- with his radical, pro abortion and extreme secularist agenda -- now seems intent on following a similar path," Jenky said.

At least 131 Notre Dame faculty members signed a letter requesting Jenky "loudly and publicly" renounce his remarks or resign from his position at the school, the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune reported Tuesday.

"We try to teach our students that, even if you disagree with someone, you have to make your case in a thoughtful and respectful argument, rather than with incendiary language," said Gretchen Reydams-Schils, professor and chair of the Program of Liberal Studies, who signed the letter.